Global Holdings appoints McLaren for London's timber tower

Global Holdings Management Group has appointed McLaren Construction to build Xylo in Clerkenwell, set to become the UK's largest all-timber frame office building, targeting completion by Q2 2028.

Xylo

This 9,290 m2, nine-story development will offer high-quality, sustainably designed workspace with natural interiors, including south-facing terraces, a stunning lobby, a town hall, a restaurant, a rooftop garden, and a yoga deck, all boasting panoramic London views.
Xylo will redefine sustainable workplaces, designed to achieve LETI Pioneer, NABERS UK 5.5-star, and BREEAM 'Excellent' certifications. Its timber structure, supplied by Hybrid Structures, will sequester over 2,400 tonnes of CO₂, resulting in 50% lower embodied carbon and up to 82% reduced operational carbon emissions compared to standard London offices. The modular timber frame also offers flexible, reconfigurable spaces for occupiers.
Located in Clerkenwell with excellent transport links, Xylo will also feature a 338 m2 town hall, a 353 m2 rooftop garden, five landscaped terraces, a café, and extensive end-of-trip facilities to promote active commuting. The project team includes architects Piercy&Co, project manager Avison Young, and engineers Max Fordham and Heyne Tillett Steel.
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.”
Darren Gill, managing director for London & South at McLaren Construction, added: “This is a pioneering use of structural timber and off-site 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.”