For the7stars, the search for a new office wasn’t simply about finding more desks. After more than two decades of growth, the independent media agency wanted a workplace that reflected how its people actually work: collaboratively, openly and with a strong sense of community.
The result is a 40,000 sq ft home on the first floor of The Acre in the heart of Covent Garden. the7stars took the space on a traditional lease and fitted it out spectacularly.
The Kontor team has worked with CEO and co-founder Jenny Biggam for 20 years. This includes across six office moves in the West End as the company has gone from a handful of desks to its striking HQ.
We caught up with Jenny to find out what made this particular London office stand out, and why the right choice of location can have a much bigger impact than simply providing enough space.
Take a look at our video interview.
A space designed for bringing people together
At the heart of the new workplace is the square, a large, flexible area designed to bring the entire agency together. It can accommodate around 300 people for the agency’s weekly all-hands meeting, but its role doesn’t stop there.
“This space is fantastic for much more than that,” Jenny said. “Everyone can sit quite comfortably, but when we’re not all together, it’s used for more informal catch-ups, a place for teams to collaborate, or even for clients to hot desk.”
For the7stars, this flexibility was key. Rather than separating people into rigid departments, the new office space encourages different teams and skillsets to interact throughout the day.
That matters for an agency whose work depends on ideas, conversation and collaboration. As Jenny puts it, the physical environment needs to support the way the business operates, not the other way around.
Central London, without compromise
Location was another major consideration. the7stars had previously been based around Charlotte Street, Soho and Aldwych, and wanted to stay firmly in central London, ideally the West End.
The Acre offered the accessibility they were looking for, making it straightforward for employees commuting from north, south, east and west of the city. It is also convenient for clients travelling in from around the country.
“We used to walk past The Acre when it was under development, and were intrigued by what was going on because it’s a landmark building on Long Acre,” Jenny said. “When Kontor brought us here on a tour of the construction site, we could see the potential.”
A workplace that reflects the brand
The combination of a single floor, natural light and a central atrium gave the7stars the foundations for an office space that felt aligned with its culture. The business is built around creativity and transparency, which the office needed to communicate.
“We wanted it to be open and collaborative,” Jenny said. “The7stars is an open agency, transparent about how we share information with our colleagues but also with our clients. This building gives us that. Everyone can see each other and what each other's doing.”
The open-plan layout means teams can see each other, interact easily and work across disciplines. There are fewer physical barriers between people, which Jenny sees as a direct reflection of the agency’s approach.
As a result, the London office has become part of the brand experience, for employees, prospective hires and clients.
Raising the bar for office space
Jenny has moved offices six times during the7stars’ 20-year history, so she has plenty of experience of what the market has to offer. One of the biggest changes she noticed during this latest search was in the quality of the buildings and their shared amenities.
The Acre’s atrium, roof terrace and end-of-trip facilities were a significant step up from what she had encountered on previous searches.
“It’s spec’ed out like a five-star hotel,” Jenny said. “I’m a huge fan of being in the office, and having a wonderful office that’s an easy commute with the right facilities just encourages other people to be here.”
The7stars’ new London office is ultimately about giving its people a reason to come together. With flexible spaces, a highly accessible location, strong environmental credentials and amenities that go beyond the traditional workplace, it supports both the culture the agency has built and the way it wants to work in the future.