TOG opens prestige David Thulstrup-designed workspace at the heart of Borough Yards

Taking shape beside the Thames, in the shadow of Southwark Cathedral and the Shard, woven into the railway arches beside Borough Market, Borough Yards is an ambitious new social, cultural and shopping hub for London, with TOG (The Office Group) – the flexible workspace provider with a platform of more than 50 buildings across the UK and Germany – at its heart.

TOG at Borough Yards weaves together old and new to create an extraordinary 51,000 sq ft workspace spanning two buildings – a former warehouse beside the railway line, and a newly developed teardrop-shaped building designed as a natural extension of the older structure.

To maximise the development’s design-led proposition, TOG has collaborated with renowned Copenhagen architect David Thulstrup, taking inspiration from the surrounding mediaeval streets and brick arches to create a unique, bold and sociable contemporary space with a strong sense of belonging.

Just a few minutes from London Bridge Station, TOG at Borough Yards offers businesses of all sizes flexible office space in one of the most exciting destination developments to launch in London in recent years. With premium retail and dining options on the doorstep, an Everyman arthouse cinema on site, and the gastro allure of Borough Market seconds away, TOG’s newest development is already one of the most enviably located workplaces in London.
“This is such an extraordinary location in the heart of what is already a thriving hub in London. For a new-build, I think the architecture is both ambitious and beautiful. We’ve followed that with our aim to push our design boundaries with the interiors, working with David Thulstrup. And in terms of location, you have everything here, right by London Bridge station and surrounded by wonderful culture, food, design and history.”
– Charlie Green, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, TOG

Historic setting, contemporary expression
The old-meets-new design of TOG at Borough Yards pays homage to the surrounding cityscape without being in thrall to it, referencing the Victorian architecture of the area and its industrial materials in the fabric of the building, with ironwork and floor-to-ceiling Crittal windows.

On the building’s façade, a neon lighting artwork cycles through the types of people one might have encountered in this neighbourhood in bygone years – from blacksmith and tailor to cutpurse and vagrant.

Interiors were developed in partnership with David Thulstrup – the first time TOG has collaborated with the leading architect behind celebrated interiors such as Noma in Copenhagen.

TOG’s goal for the space was to create an atmosphere of modern simplicity, a space which respected the rich materiality of the area while cultivating its own unique identity.
“We’ve worked closely with David Thulstrup to create a space that respects and responds to the rich architectural and industrial history of the area without being in thrall to it. As a result, we’ve created a space that takes inspiration from its surroundings, while serving the modern-day needs of the design-conscious workplace.”
– Nasim Koerting, Head of Design, TOG
Intending for the interior of the building to be a contemporary translation of the area outside it, David Thulstrup took his initial cues from the brick arches of the railway and the green metal and glass roof of Borough market next door. The brown of the brick and the green of the glass were the starting points for the colour and material palette, translating the historic industrial aesthetic into a thoroughly modern proposition.

This is apparent from the moment of entry, when visitors are met with a double-height space containing a vast metal reception desk, and high-gloss green walls that resonate with the green from the market, emerging from the concrete floor. Zigzagging to the upper floors, the staircase is again a translucent and luminous back wall.
“I really enjoy when I get to connect myself to somewhere that has a sense of a place, and that has history that I can tap into, and then extract those essences into the project. To me, the brand DNA of TOG is that they allow the architects to incorporate their own design philosophy into a project. I think that’s what I’ve succeeded with here.”
– David Thulstrup
In the workspaces themselves, the aesthetic softens, balancing brushed metal surfaces with tactile fabrics, abundant wooden accents, natural earth tones and relaxing, feelgood textures. Much of the lighting and furniture has been created bespoke for TOG at Borough Yards, including chairs, sofas and lamps designed by David Thulstrup, and soft furnishings featuring Raf Simmons for Kvadrat textiles.

Colours range from ambers to browns, light blues to blacks, and include different kinds of woods, creating warmth and nuance. Palettes shift subtly from space to space, from the inviting natural tones and bolder, more playful nuances of the co-working areas, to more purposeful black and light grey in some of the meeting rooms.

The overall effect is timeless, inviting and anchored in the location, seamlessly linking the historic and the modern.
“I like the idea of working with custom-made objects, my own productions, others’ designs, even sometimes vintage pieces – melting these different levels together creates a really beautiful atmosphere. I want to make sure that when people come back to this place after five years that they still feel it is relevant. It’s about creating an inviting, inclusive, quality-driven atmosphere, and also a place where people want to stay.”
– David Thulstrup
Work meets wellbeing
TOG at Borough Yards is conceived to balance practicality and productivity with opportunities to enrich health and wellbeing. Alongside state-of-the-art flexible workspaces suitable for businesses of all sizes – from individual offices to entire floors – enhanced with breakout areas, meeting rooms, phone and focus booths, the building includes acoustically treated audio room for screen breaks, kitchen areas for coffee and food prep, and versatile spaces for talks, events and parties. Outdoor terraces on the second and fifth floor provide opportunity to enjoy time in the open air, whether working, holding meetings or lunching alfresco.

A fully equipped Peloton studio allows members to incorporate workouts into their day, with plenty of showers available to freshen up afterwards, and ample bike storage for those who enjoy an active commute.
Welcome to the neighbourhood
Membership of TOG at Borough Yards not only gives you access to all the retail, drinking and dining possibilities of the Borough Yards estate, the culinary wonderland of Borough market, and the cultural dynamism of wider area, it also puts you within easy reach of a host of other workplaces in the TOG family. The sublime skyline views of 24/25 The Shard are a short walk away, as is the peaceful focused workspace of 201 Borough High Street. Scott House, directly above Waterloo Station, is within walking distance, too.

TOG at Borough Yards.
For ambitious enterprises seeking a statement office space in the heart of one of London’s most exciting headline developments, TOG at Borough Yards is the perfect choice.

Businesses interested in office space at TOG at Borough Yards should visit theofficegroup.com/uk/borough-yards.