Vincent & Partners in London

We opened our second office in London in February 2025 to complement our studio in York. 

Having a London base felt like the logical next step for us, as we have a huge amount of experience of working on major projects in the capital, including The Chancery Rosewood hotel, Chelsea Barracks and numerous projects completed by our Directors in previous practices including MSMR and Squire & Partners. 

London is the powerhouse of the UK economy and provides the biggest opportunity for us to become a national practice. With a London office, we are better positioned to support our clients in delivering projects across the UK. Our purpose is to make a difference. We believe we can make a difference in London in term of clients and projects, our team, the built environment and for society. 

The challenges and opportunities of expanding into London 

Expanding into the London market can be exciting for an architecture practice, but it’s a very different ecosystem from a regional or small city base. Here’s our guide to the challenges and opportunities, based on our own, first hand experience.  

1. Understand London’s market landscape

It’s really important to identify your niche, as London clearly has top-tier practices covering almost every style and scale. The size and complexity of projects in London aligns with our service offer. We’ve developed a set of skills and significant experience in specialist roles such as leading the Client Monitoring Team, or providing pre-contract consultation. Our heritage skills and experience also puts us in a great position to secure interesting projects and clients in London. Our job is often to come in and make sense of the project for the client. 

2. Understand London’s planning and regulatory systems 

Each London borough has its own planning nuances, Conservation areas and design codes. For example, Westminster and Kensington differ greatly from Hackney or Southwark. Understand the strategic policies from the Greater London Authority (GLA) on housing density, sustainability and urban design. Many sites are in Conservation Areas or near listed buildings, so knowing how to navigate heritage bodies like Historic England is a big plus. Getting to know the Central Activities Zone supplementary planning guidelines is essential.

3. Leverage sustainability and innovation

London is pushing hard on environmental performance and GLA carbon requirements are strict. Integrating BIM, modular construction or circular economy design can differentiate you. Many London tenders now require measurable community and social impact commitments. So, make sure you are up to speed. 

4. Build a local presence 

Can you develop a London presence remotely? Yes, but with difficulty. The best way to develop a business in London is to be there. Set up a London base. This could be in a co-working space like The Building Society in Fitzrovia or The Department Store in Brixton. Choose somewhere that allows you to use their address as your London address. Setting up a London telephone number through the co-working space or via a virtual landline service is incredibly valuable. 

5. Build relationships 

Network, network, network! Attend RIBA London events, New London Architecture events, the London Festival of Architecture. Join locally-focussed groups who understand the environment and who can help you to network and develop connections. Find organisations and initiatives to suit your particular niche. Collaborate strategically and partner with local engineers, planning consultants or smaller firms. Build a rapport with London developers, housing associations and estate owners. London’s high-net-worth residential market thrives on reputation and personal introductions.

6. Build trust and a track record

Curate your portfolio to highlight projects that resonate with London’s style and scale. 

London clients want to see themselves in your past work. Start small but strategic. Focus on winning small commissions that allow you to showcase your skills in a London context, before aiming for bigger projects. Focus on delivery. Word of mouth is powerful, but one poor delivery in London can harm reputation quickly. 

7. Recruitment and retention of staff 

Once you’ve got a foothold in London and you want to grow, you will probably need to recruit staff. Remember that architectural staff costs are one third higher in London and competition for talent is fierce. Once you have staff, you will want to keep hold of them and so make sure you provide good working environment with opportunities for career progression. Flexible modes of working are the norm. 

London rewards visibility, specialism and relationships. You’re not just competing on design skill, but also on your ability to navigate bureaucracy, tap into networks, and develop an offer that helps you stand out. 

For any questions, consultations, or project discussions you can call 01904 700941 or email reception@vincentandpartners.com