Hush-hush as Goldman Sachs HQ aims to keep its cool

This is the 370,000 sq ft office that lies behind the imperious stone façade of what were the Daily Telegraph offices in Fleet Street. 

Goldman moved in way back in 1991. The US bank eventually sold the building to US developer Tishman Speyer in 2005 for £280 million, and leased the space back.

Two years later Tishman flipped the block to Canadian investor Jesta Capital for £355 million.

After 19 years, the air-conditioning and IT in Peterborough Court are clapped out. Goldman has a lease with Montreal-based Jesta that runs until June 2026. So it has hired US architect Gensler to draw up plans for a two-year rolling upgrade.

Being Goldman, this has of course to remain a dark and terrible secret, with all those involved forced to sign non-disclosure agreements in blood. NDAs are of course in Goldman's DNA. One builder who is tendering for a £30 million package was asked what he knew: "I'm NDA'd up to the eyeballs mate, and they mean it."

But an office fit-out expert who has worked at Goldman, and has the necessary FBI clearance to prove it, was happy to talk about the shape of offices to come, if not Goldman's.

Daniel Taylor runs the 40-strong Metro Design group.

The amiable 49-year-old has featured in rival bank JPMorgan's 100 most influential black people in the UK and worked for the Labour and Conservative parties.

He has some happy news for those who work in offices, although not those who tend the air-conditioning and computers.

"You are seeing a dying industry in IT support," says Taylor. "The other dying professional is the facilities manager."

Not at Goldman obviously. "But look at your average Joe business. You used to have 10 IT support staff in a 100-strong firm. Now it's more like one. It can mostly be done remotely these days. The same goes for facilities managers. The controls have all been simplified and automated."

So, what will the office of the future look like in Peterborough Court? Not a question worth risking.

... while Dubliners may be on song in Fleet Street deal

Surprise! A group of Irish investors is likely to make a profit on a property bought in London. It does help that the 425,000 sq ft office block just off Fleet Street is occupied by Goldman Sachs.

It also helps that the Dublin syndicate agreed to pay Japanese developer Itochu £246.5 million in 2001, well before property prices began to rise.

River Court lies behind the old Daily Express "Black Lubyanka" façade, and Goldman wanted to expand into River Court from Peterborough Court next door, so it took a lease until 2025.

The syndicate,which was then led by Stephen Vernon of Green Property, put down £40 million of its own money and raised a £200 million mortgage. The Irish are now asking for £300 million. They may well get it: provided the buyer is confident Goldman is good for the £15 million a year in rent.