City of London Architects and Interior Designers
Architects and Interior Designers in the City of London
The Square Mile (EC1–EC4) is unlike any other planning environment in the UK. It's governed by the City of London Corporation rather than a standard borough council, carries one of the highest concentrations of listed buildings anywhere in the country, and sits landmark contemporary towers directly alongside Georgian townhouses and converted livery halls.
Doll & Co. is a RIBA Chartered Practice and a member of the British Institute of Interior Design, recognised by The List among the UK's leading architecture and interior design studios. Our architects and interior designers work in the same studio, so structural decisions and the finished interior are resolved together from day one, not retrofitted at the end.
Architectural Services in the City of London
Our work across the Square Mile covers:
Feasibility assessments and listed building consent applications
Structural alterations to Georgian townhouses near Aldgate (EC3) and converted flats in the Barbican (EC2)
Commercial interior schemes on Fleet Street (EC4) and throughout the EC postcode area
A planning narrative built around what the City of London Corporation specifically expects, not generic borough planning assumptions
Construction oversight through to completion, with one practice responsible for both the architecture and the interior
Listed Building Consent in the City of London
A significant proportion of City of London properties are either listed or sit within a conservation area, which makes this one of the most common points of confusion for clients new to the Square Mile:
Listed building consent is granted separately from planning permission
It applies to internal alterations as well as external ones
Work that would count as permitted development elsewhere in London often requires full consent here
We handle the consent process as part of our service, working directly with the Corporation's planning team
Interior Design Services in the City of London
Many City of London interiors need to resolve a specific tension: landmark contemporary architecture sitting directly against historic fabric. Our interior design services here cover:
Residential schemes for Barbican flats and converted period buildings
Commercial interiors for offices, livery halls and client-facing spaces
Material and finish choices that respond to a building's period without feeling like pastiche
A client decision schedule that locks façade-facing approvals, internal finishes and M&E items before they become urgent
Planning Permission in the City of London
The City of London Corporation targets an 8-week determination period for most applications, though complex listed building cases or those requiring committee referral can take longer
A high proportion of the Square Mile sits within conservation areas, each with its own expectations around materials and street-facing alterations
Pre-application advice is recommended for most schemes, particularly anything affecting a listed building
Professional fees for a full architecture and interior design service typically run 12 to 18% of construction cost, often toward the higher end of that range here given the City's planning complexity and logistics
Areas We Cover Within the City of London
Aldgate
Smithfield
The Barbican
Tower Hill
Blackfriars
Fleet Street
Temple
We also serve surrounding boroughs including Islington, Camden, Westminster, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need listed building consent for interior alterations in the City of London?
Often, yes. This is one of the most common surprises for clients new to the Square Mile. The City of London Corporation grants listed building consent separately from planning permission, and it applies to internal as well as external changes in listed buildings. Work that would be permitted development elsewhere may require full consent here.
How long does a City of London planning application take?
The City of London Corporation targets an 8-week determination period for most applications, though complex listed building cases or those requiring committee referral can take longer. We build realistic timescales into every project programme from the outset.
Can one practice handle both architecture and interior design in the City of London?
Yes, and for complex City properties it's a real practical advantage. Structural decisions such as floor heights, service runs and ceiling depths directly affect interior outcomes, and splitting the two disciplines across separate firms often creates coordination problems that cost time and money.
What does an architecture and interior design project cost in the City of London?
Professional fees for a full service typically run 12 to 18% of construction cost, often toward the higher end here given the planning complexity, site logistics, and finish standards involved. We provide a clear fee proposal at the outset.
Can I convert a Barbican flat or similar listed building into a different layout?
Often, yes, but Barbican flats and comparable Grade II-listed buildings require listed building consent for internal changes, not just external ones. We assess what's achievable at feasibility stage, before any design fees are committed.
Visit Our Studio
Our studio is based at 33 Newman Street, London W1T 1PY, with a second studio at Woodseats Studio, Bighton Road, Alresford, Hampshire GU34 5ND. Call us on 020 3870 7262, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Why City of London Clients Choose Doll & Co.
RIBA Chartered and BIID. Recognised by The List among the UK's leading architecture and interior design studios.
One team, one responsibility. Architecture and interior design handled by the same practice, not coordinated across separate firms.
Corporation experience. We understand what the City of London Corporation's planning team expects, distinct from standard borough planning.
Honest feasibility. If a scheme is unlikely to secure consent, we tell you before design work begins.
Speak to Our City of London Architects and Interior Designers
Whether you are considering a listed building consent application near Aldgate, converting a Barbican flat, or redesigning a commercial space on Fleet Street, we would be glad to discuss what your property and its planning context allow.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance purposes only. Every property and project is unique, and specific planning considerations, costs and timelines must be evaluated on an individual basis following a formal project consultation.