JLL’s new office at One Centenary Way named one of region’s best workplaces

The Midlands and Central England’s most outstanding workplaces have been announced, with British Council for Offices Awards going to seven office buildings across the region. Held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the BCO’s annual Midlands and Central Awards Lunch recognised projects that demonstrate best practice in office design, fit-out and sustainability, setting the standard for excellence across the sector.

JLL, One Centenary Way

The winners of this year’s competition in the Midlands and Central England stand out for their ambition in delivering user-centric spaces that champion wellbeing, sustainability, and innovation, reflecting evolving demands.  

The BCO Regional Award winners for the Midlands and Central England are:

• Unusual HQ, The Wharf, Northampton (Corporate Workplace)
• The Clarendon Works, 39 Clarendon Road, Watford (Commercial Workplace)
• Project Arden, 4th floor, 1 Manor House Drive, Coventry (Fit Out of Workplace)
• The Entopia Building, 1 Regent St, Cambridge (Refurbished/Recycled Workplace)
• JLL, One Centenary Way, Birmingham (Projects up to 2,500m²)
• Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury (Innovation)
• Unity Place, 200 Grafton Gate, Milton Keynes (ESG)

JLL’s One Centenary Way in Birmingham was the recipient of the award for Projects up to 2,500m². An underused and disconnected workspace has been transformed into an inclusive environment that enhances collaboration and wellbeing, and caters to the needs of employees and clients alike. BCO judges deemed this to be an exemplary sustainable fit-out, limiting embodied carbon through the re-use of base build materials and considered material selection. The extent of biophilia, variety of working areas, and acoustic measures, all contribute to the success of the project.

Will Higgins, Associate Director at Knight Frank and Chair of the BCO Midlands and Central Judging Panel, said: “The BCO regional awards are an opportunity to celebrate the new innovations and exemplar design within the office sector across a range of categories. This year’s entries have elevated the workplace experience through increased focus on wellbeing, championing sustainability and embracing neurodiversity. All of this has been made possible through the collaborative spirit of the dedicated design teams who have been formed to create and deliver these impressive projects. Congratulations to the regional winners and I wish them the best of luck for the upcoming National Awards.”

Rob van Zyl, Building Services Partner at Cundall and Chairman of the BCO Midlands committee, said: “The BCO Awards recognise office buildings that set new benchmarks in innovation, sustainability, and user-centric planning. This year’s winners showcase how office design can integrate cutting-edge environmental practices, such as net-zero carbon emissions and circular economy principles, while fostering employee wellbeing through thoughtful amenities and adaptable spaces.

“These exemplar projects reflect the BCO’s commitment to celebrating offices that not only meet functional and aesthetic standards but also contribute positively to their communities and the environment.”

Midlands and Central England winners will compete for the BCO National Awards on Tuesday 7 October 2025 at the Grosvenor House, JW Marriott Hotel, London.