120 Fleet Street London
Historic location
In the heart of London, construction will soon begin on a remarkable new building at a historic site: 120 Fleet Street. Located on this famous street, once the epicenter of the British press, the iconic Daily Express Building is set to be given a second life. This much-loved Art Deco landmark holds a special place in the hearts of Londoners. The existing structure will be carefully restored and repurposed, while directly behind it, a striking new tower will rise. This development quite literally gives the building space to breathe again and marks the next phase in the evolution of Fleet Street as a vibrant part of the city.
Collaboration with BIG Architects and CO-RE
The project is a collaboration between developer CO-RE, leading architecture firm BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), and engineers including Thornton Tomasetti and AKT II. It is being delivered on behalf of client River Court Properties. The building will comprise over 50,000 m² of office space and 1,700 m² of retail. The ground floor will feature shops, public walkways, and cultural facilities.
Quote BIG Architects
BIG Architects: “120 Fleet Street brings the historic Daily Express Building back into view and re-establishes it as a standalone landmark, while introducing a contemporary office tower that rises in dialogue with the City’s skyline. With its stepped form and green terraces, the building provides an elegant transition between old and new, history and future.”
Kite Robotics integrated into the design with a bespoke solution
Kite Robotics has been involved in this project from the design phase onwards as part of the core design team. In close collaboration with the architects and engineers, we are developing a customized façade washing system that is fully integrated into the building’s architecture. The new tower features a distinctive design with staggered volumes and protruding façade elements, making traditional cleaning methods both impractical and risky.
Unlike the Kite 4-cable system that is being positioned by cables, this robot moves smoothly on horizontal rails integrated above the windows on each floor. Its vertically rotating brush cleans an entire floor in a single pass, circling the building efficiently. Equipped with a built-in water tank and battery, the robot operates independently without the need for external connections.
After completing a cleaning cycle, the robot is detached and repositioned on the next floor to continue its work.
This collaboration demonstrates how smart technology can be seamlessly woven into architectural design—not added as an afterthought. The result: a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality, where each enhances the other.
Our system enables the façades to be cleaned safely, sustainably, and fully automatically without the need for scaffolding or aerial work platforms. The client selected Kite Robotics’ system based on three key benefits:
- Safety: no need for manual work at height
- Sustainability: low water usage, energy efficiency, and minimal disturbance
- Economic return: low maintenance costs over the building’s lifecycle
Preparations are well underway
Preparatory work for this project is well underway. Once completed, the building will not only be a striking addition to the London skyline, but also an inspiring example of how heritage, modern architecture, and smart technology can complement and enhance one another.