Portman Estate unveils flexible workspace in heritage Georgian buildings with sustainability focus

The Portman Estate launches Portman WorkWell at 29 Gloucester Place, blending historic Georgian architecture with modern, sustainable office solutions to meet rising demand for flexible work environments in London’s West End.

The Portman Estate has introduced Portman WorkWell, a new flexible workspace brand, marking its first foray into flexible offices with the opening of 29 Gloucester Place in Marylebone. This location occupies two restored 18th-century Grade II-listed Georgian townhouses, offering approximately 8,000 square feet of Cat A-plus office space across five floors. The refurbishment by Garnett Architecture retains original heritage features such as floor-to-ceiling windows and restored lightwells, while adding modern elements like two terraces. Situated opposite the forthcoming Loxton Walk, a 27,000 square foot open-air courtyard scheduled to open in early 2026, the building integrates sustainable technologies including air source heat pumps, sensor-controlled lighting, and double and secondary glazing, earning it an energy performance certificate rating of B.

Chris Dunlop, Director and Head of Commercial Property at The Portman Estate, stated that Portman WorkWell is designed to respond to rising demand for flexible office space, offering occupiers autonomous fitted space with an optimal balance of service and amenity. Day-to-day management of the new site is entrusted to Re-Defined, a MAPP company, which will provide on-site support to tenants. Portman WorkWell aims to provide fully fitted offices ready for immediate occupancy, inclusive of utilities, daily cleaning, and stocked communal kitchen facilities, blending professionalism with comfort within beautifully restored Georgian properties. The inclusion of high ceilings, communal lounges, end-of-trip facilities, and regular social events further enriches the workspace environment.

The Portman Estate’s history stretches back 500 years, covering 110 acres in London’s West End. It encompasses 68 streets, approximately 650 buildings, and four garden squares, with a diverse property portfolio blending Georgian and contemporary architecture, including around 430 listed buildings. The estate is home to a vibrant mix of over 700 residential units, about 255 office units, roughly 150 shops and restaurants, 27 hotels, and eight pubs, creating an eclectic and lively community. Key developments within the estate include Loxton Walk, the retail- and leisure-led courtyard adjacent to 29 Gloucester Place, the Moco Museum at One Marble Arch, and One Great Cumberland Place.

Marylebone itself, managed by The Portman Estate, is celebrated for its blend of independent shops, restaurants, and services set against a backdrop of stunning Georgian architecture, fostering a strong neighbourhood community. Streets such as Chiltern Street, Seymour Place, and New Quebec Street have benefited from the estate’s ongoing regeneration efforts, with boutique hotels like The Zetter Townhouse and Z at Gloucester Place enriching the local hospitality offering. The Portman Estate continues to focus on excellence in customer service and aims to be the destination of choice for residents, businesses, and visitors, combining historical significance with contemporary amenities in one of London’s most sought-after districts.

This launch of Portman WorkWell signals the estate’s strategic shift towards more flexible, serviced office environments, responding dynamically to evolving workplace preferences post-pandemic. By accentuating heritage features while incorporating modern sustainability standards and convenience, the estate is positioning itself competitively within London’s office market, particularly in the West End, where demand for flexible workspace options continues to grow.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being 7 October 2025. No earlier versions with different figures, dates, or quotes were found. The report is not a republished press release; it appears to be original content. The inclusion of updated data, such as the opening of Loxton Walk in early 2026, justifies a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quotes from Chris Dunlop and other individuals are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. This suggests the content is original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score:
9

Notes:
The narrative originates from Bisnow, a reputable organisation known for its coverage of commercial real estate news. This adds credibility to the report.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The claims about the Portman Estate launching Portman WorkWell at 29 Gloucester Place align with other reputable sources, such as CoStar News, which reported on the launch on 7 October 2025. The details about the building’s features, including its energy performance certificate B rating and the management by Re-Defined, a MAPP company, are consistent across sources. The narrative’s language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region, and there are no excessive or off-topic details.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and sourced from a reputable organisation. The claims are plausible and consistent with other reputable sources, and the language and tone are appropriate. No significant credibility risks were identified.