This 30-storey building in west London is an important local landmark, constructed in 1959 with a distinctive 'Y' shaped plan. WilkinsonEyre's brief was to modernise and refurbish the Empress State in a sympathetic way to provide significant additional flexible office space as well as improving the environmental efficiency of the building.The curved facades were retained, but to the south elevation a new 5.5m deep extension was added to floors 3-26 to create an extended floorplate for the offices within.

This extension is clad in an aluminium curtain walling system which integrates a full-height brise soleil. This screen unifies and articulates the facades whilst providing much needed solar shading. Three new floors were also added, topped with a glamorous revolving observation bar. At ground level an enlarged entrance lobby leads to a newly landscaped public piazza.