A New HQ for Cain International
Cain International is a privately held real estate investment firm operating in Europe and the United States. Since 2014, the company has invested approximately $6 billion into real estate debt and equity. Cain International also invests in lifestyle & leisure businesses that deliver experiences, services and amenities for modern consumers.
After four years in Mayfair, Cain International decided it was time to move their UK headquarters to Islington Square. They reached out to our team to transform the heritage-listed post office sorting building from a shell and core fit out to a future-proofed office space spanning six floors.
We designed the 9700 sq ft space to ensure that the building’s historical integrity and features were maintained, and each floor was future-proofed for coworking spaces or separate tenanted offices with shared breakout and meeting suites. Key features include a front-of-house meeting suite situated on the lower ground floor, a common kitchen and lounge area, a revitalised main staircase, a top-floor event space, and a reworked floor plan.
We made excellent use of the available space, creating breakout areas and quiet areas to accommodate Cain’s workforce. Functionality within the space was also important, and we achieved this by introducing sliding folding walls in the meeting suite, bespoke joinery credenzas, new Crittall exterior entrance doors and a bespoke reception desk. Not only does the desk function as a welcome point for employees and guests, it serves as a feature that grabs attention from the moment people enter the space.
Developed on the site of North London’s former postal sorting office, employees will be working next to some of the UK’s top creatives, such as Fulwell 73, James Corden’s production company that occupies 25,000 sq ft in the development. Staff will be able to enjoy Islington Square’s many facilities, with shops such as A.P.C., Arlo & Jacob and House of Harth, restaurants including Megan’s, Omnom and Borough Kitchen, a Third Space health club and an ODEON Luxe & Dine cinema.
Jonathan Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer at Cain International, said: “One of the biggest takeaways from the last few months has been that, while we might be able to work from anywhere, where we work is still incredibly important to us. Locations such as Islington will be increasingly attractive to occupiers moving forward as they offer more than just a place of work, but a local ecosystem of cafés, restaurants and leisure facilities. We believe teamwork is vital for innovation so being able to configure our new space so that we can all work under one roof in a more collaborative, flexible and dynamic way is incredibly important. I am proud of the fantastic and international team we have created and am excited about the next stage of our growth as one of our very first developments becomes a fitting new home.”
Ali Mackechnie, one of our talented designers, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with the Cain International team to create a new and welcoming work environment in the beautiful Islington Square development. Our brief entailed bringing the empty shell-and-core building to life whilst maintaining and enhancing the building’s existing historical features. Moreover, as the space is in such a vibrant part of London, it was essential that this was reflected in the design. The result is a contemporary, character-filled space reflective of London’s ever-changing personality.”
View Cain International’s new headquarters.