Technology Is Derwent London's Secret Weapon To Filling Buildings

Last month, Derwent London announced its new-build White Collar Factory had secured the UK’s first Wired Certified Platinum for Development & Redevelopment designation from connectivity rating service WiredScore, thus bringing world-class connectivity to Old Street Roundabout, an area of London often criticized for poor broadband. And that's just step one of 18.

Wired Certification was launched by former Mayor of London Boris Johnson in November 2015; it acts as a trusted mark for buildings independently certified to provide leading-edge digital infrastructure. It’s meant to give greater transparency to tenants signing leases and provides landlords with insights to improve their building’s connectivity standards.

White Collar Factory will provide 237k SF over 16 floors of new office space with high ceilings, abundant natural light and, of course, super high-speed connectivity. Derwent (partially thanks to the ranking) has already let 60% of the building to companies like Adobe, AKT II, BGL, Capital One and The Office Group. White Collar Factory will be completed at the end of this year.  

Derwent London is pursuing Wired Certification on 18 properties across its portfolio. Derwent leasing surveyor Philippa Davies says that with so many tenants working in the creative and digital industries—and they make up many of Derwent London’s tenants—providing world-class connectivity and infrastructure is vital. It enables entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

Though White Collar Factory was the first to achieve Platinum status, other buildings have followed suit, indicating landlords are seeing the value in the service. The Shard, Broadcast Centre, Leadenhall Building, One New Change and 20 Fenchurch are all Platinum-rated.