One Tower Bridge

Client- Berkeley Homes Capital

Contract- Brickwork & Stonework

Value- £3,500,000

Overview

Situated at one of London’s most iconic riverfront addresses, One Tower Bridge is a distinguished, multi-award-winning development crafted by renowned architects and delivered by Berkeley Homes. Nestled between City Hall and the world-famous Tower Bridge, this exclusive address is surrounded by some of the capital’s most recognized landmarks—including the Tower of London, The Gherkin, and the Cheesegrater.

Development Details

The masterplan includes over 400 premium residences, complemented by 80,000 sq ft of retail, leisure, and cultural spaces. Amenities are truly five-star, with features such as a 20-meter pool with elegant black and gold tiles, a high-spec gym, wellness rooms, a virtual golf simulator, 24-hour concierge by Harrods, and secure underground parking.

Designed as a series of nine architecturally distinctive buildings, the site is unified by three signature styles. These include a transitional block along the Thames, a striking Campanile-style tower rising 20 stories, and a series of modernist stone and glass blocks surrounding a private residents’ garden. Additionally, traditional brick buildings with timber balconies evoke the charm of nearby Shad Thames, seamlessly integrating the development with its historical context.

Architectural Vision

The layout—conceptualized by Squire & Partners—aims to establish a timeless urban quarter that complements Potters Fields Park and the broader South Bank area. Material choices were intentionally selected to bridge the contemporary architecture of More London with the historic warehouse aesthetic of Shad Thames.

London yellow stock bricks, made using centuries-old techniques at Wienerberger’s Smeed Dean factory in Sittingbourne, were chosen for their authenticity and aesthetic character. This particular brick, made from a mix of local chalk, brick earth, and reclaimed Victorian ash, has a distinguished heritage, appearing in buildings like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London.

Execution and Craftsmanship

To achieve visual consistency across the development, all half a million facing bricks were sourced from the same kiln batch. The basket-weave detailing and hand-gauged finishes demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship, with brickwork executed by Harlequin Brickwork to exacting standards. Strategic dry cutting helped prevent efflorescence, and non-traditional bonding methods created seamless architectural continuity across facades.

According to project stakeholders, including Berkeley Group’s Damian Bates and Harlequin’s Billy Sutcliffe, the final result exceeded expectations, both in execution and aesthetics. The hand-laid brickwork has even been mistaken for pre-finished panels, a testament to the skill of the team involved.

Recognition and Impact

Since its completion, One Tower Bridge has received critical acclaim and achieved high sales success, with over 90% of units sold. The development has been celebrated with several industry awards, including “Development of the Year” and “Best Interior Design” at the Sunday Times British Homes Awards, while Berkeley Group and Squire & Partners received honors for their roles as homebuilder and architect, respectively.

In the words of those who brought it to life, this is a landmark achievement—blending modern living with London’s rich architectural heritage in one of the city’s most prestigious locations.