chapmanbdsp completes landmark brewery project

A fourth Guinness Open Gate Brewery, located in London’s prime retail location in Covent Garden, has recently opened. The 54,000 ft site was previously ‘Old Brewers Yard’, a 300 year old brewery, the new design pays tribute to its classic heritage, whilst creating a modern destination that celebrates the iconic Irish stout. The site includes a variety of spaces for an immersive visitor experience; a world-leading microbrewery, a tour that includes tasting experiences and a 360-degree digital experience, two restaurants, a ground level courtyard bar and eatery, two retail stores and a dedicated private hire venue.

chapmanbdsp was responsible for the mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering design of the project, ensuring that building services supported the architectural vision whilst meeting operational needs. Its role involved integrating ventilation, heating, cooling, power supply, and specialist systems within highly constrained existing structures. The buildings had limited-service zones and plant space, chapmanbdsp worked closely with the architect and other consultants to design systems that would fit within tight spatial restrictions while maintaining comfort and performance standards.

A key part of the project was collaborating with catering consultants and the client’s operational team to design the kitchen and food service infrastructure. Due to ventilation limitations in some buildings, chapmanbdsp helped develop a strategy where a main production kitchen was located in one building while another contained only finishing kitchen. This approach allowed the venue to deliver the desired hospitality output despite the limitations of the existing building fabric. 

One of the most technically complex elements was the addition of a glass rooftop bar constructed on top of one of the buildings on Sheldon Street. This feature required careful environmental control due to the large, glazed surfaces, which created significant cooling demands. chapmanbdsp designed the mechanical systems needed to maintain comfortable conditions in the space, while also coordinating rooftop plant equipment. To preserve the architectural appearance, the plant had to be positioned so that it would not be visible from street level, requiring precise coordination with the architect.

Space for plant rooms and back-of-house functions were extremely limited across the site. chapmanbdsp therefore had to optimise plant layouts and route services carefully through the buildings. The team also had to account for the presence of existing tenants in neighbouring or upper-floor spaces, which limited the ability to alter structural elements or expand service zones.

This project is special as it has opened up so many opportunities for the community. London has approximately 20 million tourists visiting every year, making the space a perfect fit in the hospitality and tourism sector. With Diegeo’s (maker of Guinness) award-winning ‘Learning for Life’ programme which will see 100 students graduate from the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in April this year. The project also strengthens local supplier partnerships, with an open event access the site available to local residents and businesses without a hire fee, providing a positive contribution to the community.