Peldon Rose turns a 19th century stable into a playful workspace

Design and build company Peldon Rose transformed a 19th century building into the new headquarters for real estate finance specialists, BBS Capital. Situated at 2 Cross Keys Close in Marylebone, the workspace features unconventional architecture – including a converted stable – and a storied history. As the first dedicated home for BBS Capital, the firm wanted to create a workspace that physically represents their business.  

Creating a warm welcome, the entrance consists of two large double doors that can be swung open in summer months, harking back to the building’s previous life as an equestrian stable. “The heritage of the building is immediately endearing when you arrive, but that can wear off for staff who come in three or four times a week, so we worked hard on the less visible aspects that make for an enjoyable working experience: storage, lighting, acoustics,” says Jonathan Dawes, Head of SME at Peldon Rose. Smaller details including biophilia ‘bring the space to life’. 

Stepping inside, BBS’ brand is manifest in bespoke signage and a colour palette that varies from darker tones to orange accents. Encouraging healthy habits is a part of the firm’s values, starting with how their workers commute to the office; a dedicated storage wall in the lobby maximises space, complete with a ventilated cupboard for coats and cycle or motorbike gear to dry on wet days.  

Throughout, Peldon Rose opened the floor plan up to make the property bigger and brighter. Designed as a focal point on the ground floor, a large coffee bar-style teapoint serves as a socialising space, with rustic orange tiles behind and copper lights hanging overhead. Elsewhere, soft furnishings surround a ‘New York loft’ style coffee table, acting as another gathering spot.  

Dedicated breakout spaces with pops of orange can be found scattered throughout and on the back wall two meeting rooms in soft grey tones have been added. Peldon Rose provided an acoustic finish in each space to maintain the ambience across the office. “Having multiple locations to work from within the space makes a real difference to how we work, and the addition of welcoming sociable touch points for our teams and clients is already proving valuable,” comments Joanne Barnett, BBS Capital’s co-founder.  

The first floor reveals a much more traditional office space, however the task furniture selected supports wellbeing with features including sit-stand desks. Natural light floods into the room through large stable doors and a skylight. “We were delighted to work with such an architecturally beautiful space that had tonnes of potential. The challenge for us at 2 Cross Keys Close was just doing it justice,” says Dawes.