Willmott Dixon Interiors appointed to progress London Fire Brigade HQ refurbishment
Contractor to lead Stage 3 and 4 design for overhaul of Grade II listed Albert Embankment building.
4 March 2026
Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to deliver preconstruction services for the refurbishment of London Fire Brigade’s historic headquarters at 8 Albert Embankment.
The contractor will finalise Stage 3 and 4 design for the major overhaul of the Grade II listed building, which is set to return to use as the Brigade’s new headquarters following proposals developed in late 2025.
Originally opened in 1937, the landmark Art Deco structure will undergo a comprehensive upgrade aimed at preserving key elements of the original design while introducing modern, sustainable facilities. Once complete, the building will accommodate approximately 840 staff and include a refurbished fire station and new event and exhibition space at ground floor level.
Design development will include renewal of mechanical, electrical and public health systems, installation of new life safety systems, wholesale window replacement, re-roofing works and re-cladding of the adjacent CMC building, the 1980s extension formerly used as a control room. The scheme also covers new passenger lifts, internal partitions, ceilings, joinery and finishes, alongside refurbishment of appliance bays and the basement.
The fire station, located on the ground to second floors, will temporarily vacate during construction, which is expected to commence in mid-2027. Operational support will be maintained for the nearby Lambeth river fire station on the Thames throughout the works.
The project has been procured via the SCAPE construction framework. Willmott Dixon Interiors said it will deliver social value initiatives including local job creation, skills development and environmental measures. Plans include engagement with SMEs through a Meet the Buyer event, participation in the Greater London Authority’s SME mentoring programme and the establishment of an on-site construction skills academy.
Laura Birnbaum, Assistant Director of Property and Technical Services at London Fire Brigade, described the refurbishment as a once-in-a-generation project that will restore the Brigade to its historic headquarters while delivering a facility fit for future operational needs.
Rob Brown, project director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said the scheme would balance heritage preservation with modern infrastructure requirements, while Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, highlighted the framework’s role in driving time and cost efficiencies alongside social value outcomes.
The restoration aims to retain as much of the original structure as possible, including its prominent façade, ensuring the building continues to serve as the symbolic home of the Brigade in central London.
