LANDSEC 80

BUILDING FUTURES, ONE STORY AT A TIME

Landsec has been reimagining cities, supercharging communities and enriching lives for 80 years.

We’re celebrating all the moments, connections and futures we have built... And are yet to build, together.

Tomorrow starts today.



THE HISTORY OF LANDSEC

Our story began in 1944, when Harold Samuel set up Land Securities, carrying out vital work to rebuild communities after World War Two. 

Since then, we’ve continued to focus on acquiring places that will bring long-term value to our business, customers and communities.

It’s these places that have continued to evolve as the expectations of our customers, guests and communities have changed over time.

And it’s that skill to constantly change and improve that means when we look to the future, we’re developing with the feedback of those who live and work there to ensure long-term success. 

HIGHLIGHTING HISTORY, ARTS AND CULTURE

We couldn't possibly celebrate 80 years of Landsec without shining a light on one of our places that has played such an important part in our nation's history - Piccadilly Lights.

It has united post-war Britain, celebrated the King's Coronation, and today continues to showcase one-of-a-kind brand experiences to mass audiences in Piccadilly Circus.

As we look to the future, we're committed to creating even more impactful experiences, and even deeper connections with our communities. Piccadilly Lights gives us the perfect platform to do just that. 

  • A retro-style collage with a historic photo of Tower Bridge in London and a portrait of a man over newspaper clippings.

    1944 - Modern Landsec is born

    “We have a terrific task ahead of us, we have a shattered world around us, and we must help to rebuild it. Above all we must tackle the housing problem, with the same drive we put into our war effort. Everything in human power will be done.”

    Winston Churchill

    In the aftermath of World War Two, the pressing need to rebuild Britain and the commercial opportunities that might result drove Harold Samuel to purchase Land Securities. Today our commitment to answering the needs of communities remains as strong as ever.

  • Artistic collage juxtaposing renderings of modern buildings with an archival postcard of a skyscraper.

    1952 - Empowering communities through regeneration

    In Hull, we were the first example of a private developer working with a local authority to redevelop a city centre. Since then, we've remained committed to this kind of engagement, working in partnership with the public sector, delivering on our community charter commitments and ensuring that local people have a voice in shaping their neighbourhoods.

  • Photo montage combining a retro-style couple with views of modern and historic urban architecture.

    1958 - Investing in places that stand the test of time

    In 1958 we acquired Landsec House, which, following its demolition, became New Street Square and Hill House. Since then, we've continually adapted to meet the evolving needs of the world around us. Our ongoing refurbishments, like Hill House and the relocation of Shoe Lane Library, underscore our commitment to creating inclusive places that enhance quality of life.

  • Collage presenting a visualization of a modern residential area with plenty of greenery and people walking.

    1962 - Shaping the office landscape

    Our growth in Victoria began when Harold Samuel identified an opportunity to provide the Government with offices to support the rapid expansion of the Civil Service following the Second World War.The 1960s saw us expand on our journey into the commercial office market – starting with the redevelopment of 76-122 Victoria Street. By 1963, the project was completed and Esso House emerged, which today we call home (80-100 VS). Cardinal Place sparked architectural and cultural innovation that has contributed to the vibrant office ecosystem in Victoria that we know today - shaping it into a place that stands the test of time.

  • Photo collage showing a night view of Piccadilly Circus and a stylized retro-style woman.

    1968 - Illuminating cultural moments

    In a move that resonated with 1968’s cultural pulse, we acquired Piccadilly Lights, an icon in the heart of the capital. Fast forward to 2017, its digital switch-on ceremony marked the ascendancy of commercial media and omnichannel experiences. As Europe’s most technically advanced digital screen, it continues to serve as the nation’s noticeboard, captivating millions, and offers our brand partners unique opportunities to engage with audiences. But we’ve also built around this cultural icon to shape a place in its own right, opening Lucent, Below the Lights and one of London’s most popular pubs and restaurants.

  • Collage combining modern office architecture by the water with an old, archival photo of a building.

    1984 - Designing for tomorrow

    We hosted a major architectural competition for Trafalgar Square's Grand Buildings in 1984 - and the winning design had the theme of "endangered species", reflecting a society that was becoming more environmentally conscious. Today, we continue to prioritise sustainability, seeking innovative ways to reduce our impact and be the trailblazers of change.

  • Collage combining a photo of a woman in retro-style sunglasses with a view of a modern city plaza where people are relaxing.

    1997 - Retail renaissance in Leeds

    The unveiling of White Rose, our £64 million development on the former Morley sewage works site, sparked economic revitalisation that endures today. The value we have created for the city and its people through the development has strengthened our partnership with Leeds. Our retail destinations continue to enrich communities - creating jobs across the UK and contributing to local economies. Through products such as our pop-up offerings, we offer immersive experiences that surprise and delight guests all over the country.

  • Collage with a young woman on a skateboard, a modern building, and nature elements like flowers.

    2002 - A global environmental precedent

    In 2002, we became the first in the property sector to publish a standalone report on our environmental impact. By 2017, we became the first commercial property company in the world to have our carbon reduction target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. We later pushed this even further to reduce average embodied carbon by 50% compared with a typical building by 2030. Today, we empower our customers and brand partners to achieve their sustainability goals through collaboration and innovation - such as through our Potential of Sustainable Retail report.

  • Collage of a distinctive London skyscraper and people relaxing in a park against the city skyline.

    2008 - Embracing change

    In the face of economic upheaval during the 2008 global financial crisis, we continued to adapt to a changing landscape. We started construction on 20 Fenchurch Street when market confidence was low, and completed in favourable conditions in 2014. It quickly became a celebrated part of the London skyline that we sold in 2017, setting a record price for a UK office building. This showcased our ability to pivot and drive value for our shareholders, business and people. Today, while economic conditions continue to ebb and flow, we stand ready to weather the storms and embrace new opportunities.

  • Artistic collage of a smiling woman wearing headphones, with a modern, glass office building in the background.

    2019 - Pioneering flexible workspaces

    We entered the flexible office market with Myo in 2019, signalling a strategic evolution for our business. As what customers want from offices changes, we continue to innovate with cutting-edge, customisable spaces that encourage productivity, collaboration, and wellbeing.

  • Graphic collage with a smiling man in a suit, a neon sign, and an archival skyscraper.

    2020 - Supporting our community through adversity

    The action we took during the pandemic reverberated across communities and the industry. From supporting customers and reimagining workplace futures to navigating shifts in the retail landscape - our evolution mirrored the changing times. Post-pandemic, we remain steadfast in our commitment to listening to our customers in order to create welcoming spaces for all.

  • Collage showing a smiling woman and a revitalized urban space with historic buildings.

    2021 - It takes a village

    We welcomed U+I into the Landsec family and evolve our approach to regeneration. Mayfield Park, the city’s first public park in a century, set the bar high - and it was just the beginning. As we build out our plans across our regeneration schemes we go into them thinking about how we shape them to become places that stand the test of time. We have been and continue to be shaped by the collective talent within, by both long servers and new additions, underscoring our collective commitment to community and place.

  • Photo collage of a group of five smiling young women, surrounded by graphic elements.

    2022 - Empowering people

    Our dedication to sustainability extends beyond the environment to encompass people and communities. In 2022, we launched Landsec Futures, a testament to our ongoing commitment to enabling social mobility within our industry and the places we invest. Our places serve as vital community hubs, providing space to work, shop, and live. Across the UK, we engage with community organisations to unlock potential wherever we go.

Collaboration Architectural Sketch Design Tools

80 YEARS OF HISTORY, IN ONE BROADSHEET

Welcome to the Landsec80 digital broadsheet, a special celebration of our history.

Inside you can read about the major milestones in our history, hear from our CEO Mark Allan about how he's been marking the occasion, experience Landsec through our People Stories, and see what we're found deep in the archives.

Take a look below to learn more.

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