Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Ltd’s new headquarters occupies six floors of a listed building in Fitzrovia, London, delivering a refined, secure, and high-performing interior that embodies the bank’s dual identity: proudly African and globally positioned. The project involved the complete fit-out of the building’s shell and core, previously delivered by another architect. Tye Architects were appointed to design and deliver all interior architecture, M&E coordination, specialist security systems, finishes, and furniture.

Working to a strict budget, the client required the building to accommodate 120 staff, integrate a high-security basement vault, and provide a premium retail banking hall, executive suites, and flexible workspaces — all with the dignity and professionalism expected of a central London financial institution.

The public-facing ground floor was designed as the institutional threshold, combining tactile materials with calm spatial composition. A reception, teller counters, lounge, and meeting rooms are set within a palette of smoked oak, abstract wall textures, and stone detailing. Dual entrances allow separation of staff and client flows without compromising security or openness.

Floors 1–3 house open-plan banking teams, with enclosed offices for key departments and acoustic treatment integrated across every level. Breakout spaces and compact meeting rooms support modern, agile working. The top floor is reserved for the executive team and VIP clients, with a chairman’s office, six-person meeting room, and an expandable twelve-person boardroom.

The basement delivers high-security services including a vault, secure storage, and a flexible training space. Fire strategy, access control, and technical systems were embedded without compromising aesthetic quality.

Materials were selected for both durability and atmosphere, including Caesar Keymood tiles, bronze detailing, and leather-textured finishes. Acoustic ceiling rafts and timber slat panelling ensure ambient comfort. Subtle detailing — such as concealed AV systems and hidden risers — reinforces a quiet, confident identity throughout.

Sustainability was considered through low-VOC finishes, LED lighting, repurposed flooring, and recycled acoustic materials. Roof terraces were adapted as breakout zones, and workstation sizes were optimised to suit spatial constraints.

This is a workplace designed to reflect trust, discretion, and global identity. Without relying on spectacle, it delivers a cohesive environment where technical performance, user comfort, and refined design coexist — a confident and intelligent fit-out that supports both function and brand.