A shared office area has opened above cells that formerly housed dangerous offenders and appeared in works like Oliver Twist in a famous courtroom from the 18th century.
Old Sessions House, which has been existing since 1779 and is situated in hip Clerkenwell in Islington in north-east London, served as Britain’s largest courthouse from 1782 until 1852.
Hundreds of the capital’s toughest penalties were administered at this time, and detainees were marched into the subterranean dungeons.
Even fictional thug Oliver Twist, who was caught pickpocketing with the Artful Dodger and company in Charles Dickens’ 1838 book, was sent there.
However, the Grade II* listed building is currently used as offices by day and transforms into a members-only club with complimentary canapés and drinks at night.
Knotel, a supplier of office space, has acquired 22,000 square feet of the structure. As a result, the facility currently houses “beer Fridays” and monthly gym sessions for office personnel.
A renovated eighteenth-century glass atrium, a magnificent dome ceiling, and large mezzanine rooms are among the features of the old legal building, which looks out over Clerkenwell Green. It will now house a carefully selected workclub for London’s entrepreneurs, creatives, and firms.
With columns, a dome, and a stairway that resemble the Pantheon in Rome, Old Sessions House is constructed in a classical style.
Pictures depict the courthouse’s elegant makeover, which includes houseplants, couches, and fashionable furniture that is updated for the flexible work environment.
Additionally, “lounge members” will be able to reserve meeting spaces on an as-needed basis and have access to the major lounge areas.
The independent Sessions Arts Club, which includes a roof patio and pool, is located next to the workplace in the same building.
The office building’s rooftop has an infinity pool with spectacular views of the London skyline.
The Elizabeth Line will arrive at Farringdon station in 2022, which is just around the corner from Old Sessions House. This will bring thousands of more commuters to the area surrounding the new co-working facility.
“Flexible working is not only here to stay, it has become more appreciated as organizations strive to attract people back to the office while minimizing the costs inherent in typical long-term office facilities,” said Michael Gross, CEO of Knotel.
Companies are looking for creative sites with flexible amenities when developing their office.
We are supporting bricks and mortar in London because they are so lovely, like the bricks at the Old Sessions House.
“This is the first launch of a new concept for Knotel in which we will be introducing a spectacular range of new workclubs to great buildings around London and other significant European and North American cities,” the company said.