190 High Holborn, London Travel Guide

A Post-War Office Landmark

Standing at a busy crossroads in central London, 190 High Holborn is a substantial office tower that reflects the commercial architecture of the late 20th century. Designed by renowned architect Richard Seifert and originally completed in 1978, the building was conceived as a headquarters-style office block, built to accommodate large corporate tenants in a rapidly modernising city. Its ten-storey form, with a basement and nine upper floors, covers a significant footprint and presents a strong presence on High Holborn, one of the capital’s major thoroughfares.The building’s exterior is characterised by a dark red, smooth granite-type cladding that gives it a solid, imposing appearance. Its corner site provides extensive frontage onto both High Holborn and Smart’s Place, making it a visually dominant element in the streetscape. Internally, the structure is laid out over around 93,000 sq ft of net internal area, arranged to support modern office use with typical floor plates of roughly 9,300 sq ft, raised floors, air conditioning and other standard commercial fittings.

Architectural and Urban Context

190 High Holborn belongs to the wave of post-war commercial office development that reshaped much of central London. Its design follows the pragmatic, functionalist approach typical of 1970s office towers, prioritising lettable space and structural efficiency over ornamental detail. The building’s massing and materials place it firmly within the late 20th-century commercial office typology, a category that has increasingly been recognised for its role in the city’s economic and architectural history.Situated at the junction of High Holborn and Smart’s Place, the tower occupies a strategically important location at the heart of several well-known central London districts: Holborn, Covent Garden, Soho, Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury. This central position, combined with nearby access to the Elizabeth line at Tottenham Court Road, makes it highly attractive for businesses seeking a central London address. The surrounding area is a mix of historic buildings, modern offices and vibrant commercial streets, creating a dynamic urban environment.

Function and Atmosphere

Today, 190 High Holborn functions primarily as a commercial office building, housing a range of professional and corporate tenants. As such, the atmosphere is that of a busy, working environment: business attire, security-controlled access, and the constant flow of office workers and visitors. The building is not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense, but its scale and prominent location mean it is a familiar feature for anyone walking or working in the area.The interior is designed for efficiency and comfort, with modern services and infrastructure installed during a comprehensive refurbishment in the early 2000s. Common areas are typically clean, well-lit and professionally maintained, reflecting the standards expected in a central London office environment. While the building does not offer public galleries or visitor experiences, its presence contributes to the character of High Holborn as a major commercial artery in the capital.