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McLaren to build UK’s largest timber-frame office in London
Cristina Lago Deputy Editor
CGI of the Xylo office building in Clerkenwell. Image: Global Holdings Management Group
McLaren Construction has been appointed by developer Global Holdings Management Group to construct what the companies claim will be the largest all-timber-frame office building in the UK.
The nine-storey Xylo building in Clerkenwell, central London, will include 9,000 sq m of workspace, a rooftop garden, a restaurant and a yoga deck.
The building has been designed to be “one of the most advanced environmentally sensitive buildings in the world”. The embodied carbon levels will be 50% lower than a typical London office building, while operational carbon emissions will be reduced by up to 82% compared to standard buildings.
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Xylo’s glulam beams and cross-laminated timber structure are being supplied by Hybrid Structures, a William Hare Group company, and will store more than 2,400 tonnes of CO2.
The full timber-frame structure will allow for quick reconfiguration over time to customise spaces.
Following the completion of enabling works, McLaren will now work with architect Piercy & Co, project manager Avison Young, services & sustainability engineer Max Fordham and structural and civil engineer Heyne Tillett Steel, to deliver the project by the second quarter of 2028.
Pioneering use of structural timber
Darren Gill, managing director for London & South at McLaren Construction, said: “This is a pioneering use of structural timber and offsite manufacturing to deliver a high level of buildability and sustainability on a typically tight central London site. The result will be a landmark project that redefines what a sustainable, healthy workplace can be.
“Rigorous digital information management systems enable us to monitor carbon emissions as the project progresses and ensure that it comfortably meets its ambitious targets.”
Josh Lawrence, chief executive of Global Holdings Management Group UK, said: “We are delighted to be working with McLaren to deliver Xylo – a game-changing project and significant milestone for our industry. Xylo is going to be the perfect building for companies that are leaders in their fields, showcasing the most environmentally friendly technologies in a truly beautiful building, underpinned by a vibrant neighbourhood and abundant transport links.”
The January/February 2026 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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