New Developer MORE to Lead Retrofit of Stirling’s No 1 Poultry
A new developer, MORE, founded by architect Ben Cross and real estate expert Basil Demeroutis, is preparing to take on the significant challenge of retrofitting the Grade II*-listed No 1 Poultry building in the City of London. The pair describe their mission as a disruptive force in an industry often slow to innovate.
No 1 Poultry, completed in 1997 by James Stirling and Michael Wilford & Partners, is known for its bold postmodern design and distinctive character. After being granted Grade II* listed status in 2016 a designation that helped protect it from earlier redevelopment threats the building now faces a retrofit aimed at modernizing its energy systems while preserving its architectural quirks.
Cross and Demeroutis bring a combined portfolio of more than £1.4 billion in retrofit and regeneration projects. They are critical of traditional development models, which they say often prioritize excessive spending and push risk onto others, leaving innovation as an afterthought. Through MORE, they hope to set a new standard for how buildings are developed, one that balances environmental sustainability, social impact, and financial performance.
The Twentieth Century Society, instrumental in securing the building’s listed status, is actively engaged with MORE to ensure the retrofit respects the building’s heritage. Currently occupied by WeWork, No 1 Poultry presents an opportunity to demonstrate how historic architecture and modern needs can coexist effectively.
If successful, this project could signal a meaningful shift in how the property sector approaches retrofit and regeneration showing that thoughtful innovation and respect for history can go hand in hand.
