1 Jun 2026
,Germany
Global Holdings Management Group has appointed McLaren Construction as the main contractor for the development of Xylo, a 9,290 square metre timber-framed office building in Clerkenwell. When completed, it will be the largest timber-framed office building in the UK, setting a new benchmark for low-carbon construction in central London.
Xylo will feature a 6.5 metre high vaulted lobby and nine floors of flexible office space, made using natural materials and low-VOC products. The development will also include a 338 m2 town hall, a 353 m2 roof garden, five landscaped terraces and a café-restaurant. The building’s timber structure allows for flexible internal layouts, offering a wide range of working formats.
The project is aiming to achieve LETI Pioneer, NABERS UK 5.5 stars and BREEAM Excellent. Operational carbon emissions are expected to be reduced by 82% and embodied carbon by 50% compared to a typical London office. Hybrid Structures, part of the William Hare Group, will supply the glulam and CLT elements, which will help to retain over 2,400 tonnes of CO₂ in the building’s material.
Josh Lawrence, CEO of Global Holdings Management Group in the UK, said:
“We are delighted to be working with McLaren on the Xylo. This is a landmark project for the industry, combining cutting-edge green design with spaces created for leading organisations.”
The architectural concept by Piercy & Company harks back to Clerkenwell’s Edwardian and Victorian heritage. The deeply sculpted façade balances solar control and material expression, reducing heat gain and increasing occupant comfort without over-reliance on mechanical cooling.
The adjacent building at 88 Gray’s Inn Road is undergoing renovation to provide 1,115m2 of workspace and six affordable apartments, enhancing the area’s functionality. Xylo has excellent transport links — within walking distance of Farringdon, Chancery Lane and King’s Cross St Pancras stations, providing access to the Tube, Elizabeth Line, Thameslink and National Rail. Active mobility infrastructure, including cycle parking and showers, further encourages sustainable travel.
McLaren Construction is responsible for the installation of the timber frame and the engineering solutions that underpin the Xylo’s structural and environmental ambitions. Darren Gill, Managing Director of McLaren Construction for London and the South, said:
“This is an innovative use of structural timber and off-site manufacturing on a limited site in the heart of central London. Digital data management allows us to monitor the carbon footprint at every stage, ensuring the project meets its environmental goals.”
With its timber structure, low carbon footprint and flexible interiors, Xylo has every chance of becoming a new benchmark for sustainable office construction in the heart of London.
