Edelman's new UK headquarters, designed by Gensler and dubbed the Francis House, supports various modes of work for employees + clients alike.

When Ruth Warder, CEO of global communications firm Edelman UK and EMEA Brand Chair, came across an old warehouse from the 1900s, she knew it was the ideal home for the company to grow. ?We knew it was the perfect blank canvas to bring to life the vision we had for a post-pandemic workplace,? she shares. Working with Gensler, that vision became a reality ? one that occupies 45,000 square feet, eight mezzanines, and five floors. The new headquarters, named Francis House, was designed to be more than just a place to work. It?s a vibrant hub for inspiring creativity, fostering collaboration, and cultivating meaningful connections between employees along with their clients. Natural light beams in from the double-height windows. Communal stations allow for focused work and neighborly connections.
Bar and lounge seating help support employees’ changing preferences throughout the day.
To expand the original 35,000-square-foot building by 10,000 square feet, the design team created five new mezzanines and five new staircases. These additional levels offer integrated functional spaces for formal meetings, impromptu collaboration, and heads-down solo work. Vintage furniture and reused pieces from the firm?s previous workplace create an eclectic yet contemporary aesthetic while reaffirming Gensler’s and Edelman’s comm...