New Court [4]: 2011-present, The City, London, England

'Intended for magnificent business', New Court has been the home of the London house of Rothschild for over 200 years. There have been four buildings called New Court on the site.

The fourth New Court

In 2008, it was decided to demolish and rebuild N M Rothschild & Sons Limited offices, New Court. The 1960s building was beginning to show its age and was too small to accommodate the entire staff. A new landmark building was erected on the New Court site. The internationally renowned architect Rem Koolhaas and his practice OMA were chosen to create a New Court for the 21st century. OMA’s vision for the fourth version of New Court was inspired by the idea of ‘heritage in the City’. The inspiration behind the new design for New Court came from the Palazzo Vecchio, home of Cosimo l de’ Medici in Florence. The Topping Out ceremony took place in 2010; the fourth New Court was completed in 2011.

In creating the new building, the intention was not only to preserve the qualities of the historical context of the Rothschild site, but to enhance them. The new building is designed to improve the relationship between the development and St. Swithin’s Lane by acknowledging the historical enclosure of the lane; Christopher Wren’s historically significant St. Stephen Walbrook church was largely hidden from view. The rebuilding of New Court has reinstated the 18th century visual connection between St. Swithin’s Lane and the Church. The interior of the building includes many references to the company's history, and an oak reading room for The Rothschild Archive.