Engage with the client: Tyler Goodwin in business matters
tyler goodwin, founder and ceo of seaforth land, reflects on revitalizing richard seifert and george marsh's 1968 space house, the uk's lack of appreciation for mid-century modern buildings, and bonding with amin taha and his dog.
photographs by Gareth Gardner
what sets seaforth land apart from other developers? according to goodwin, it's their true belief in the power of better design and architecture to boost returns, and their willingness to empower their design and consultant teams to innovate.
why london? prior to london, goodwin lived in hong kong where he was a managing director at jp morgan. he moved to london over 11 years ago to become the founding ceo of lodha uk.
which projects is goodwin most proud of? he cites 8 bleeding heart yard and space house, both of which are market-setting examples of the power of experiential offices.
what project eluded him? goodwin laments a massively innovative hybrid construction, passivehouse tower development near kings cross with thomas heatherwick. despite his belief that it would be great for london, the project was shot down due to a more conservative approach to policy.
how did goodwin come to buy richard seifert and george marsh's 1968 space house? it was first brought to him in 2017 as a "quirky 1960s building." after touring it, he saw the opportunity, but it took six months to secure it at the right price. goodwin was surprised by the lack of recognition in the real estate community of the importance of this building.
what were the biggest challenges involved in retrofitting and extending the project? goodwin identifies three critical challenges: creating a bespoke chilled beam solution for the radial pre-cast concrete coffered ceilings, achieving BREEAM outstanding certification, and managing fear of failure.
were there any surprises during the renovation process? yes! during public consultation, a member of the public showed up with original black and white photos of space house in 1968. one of the photos showed a beautiful terrazzo floating staircase at the north end of the block, which has now been reinstated as an important feature of the building.
goodwin's view on the british approach to heritage/conservation? he believes that working with camden, historic england, and the 20th century society has been a pleasure, as they saw the commitment to deliver a globally relevant celebration of mid-century architecture and design.
goodwin's stance on the decision to demolish the marks and spencer building on oxford street? he remains hopeful that someone at marks and spencer will rise to the opportunity that orchards house represents for their new scheme, as the building offers value-accretive features.
which piece of legislation or policy would make life more interesting/rewarding for goodwin? he advocates for a reduction of rates on listed buildings, as the high costs of refurbishing and operating listed buildings are a challenge for any development.
which building does goodwin aspire to develop? the park tower knightsbridge hotel by seifert & partners, as it represents a blend of heritage and modern design.
goodwin's selection criteria for architects? there's no specific formula. he chooses architects based on their passion for the history and detail of buildings, as well as their ability to merge historical context with modern function.
in what ways can an architect fail to impress goodwin? he believes that a lack of understanding and empathy for the needs and constraints of developers is a deal-breaker.
is the development sector attracting the right sort of talent? regrettably, goodwin believes that profitability and viability are not a priority in many boroughs around london, which may deter talented developers.
what's next for goodwin? he is looking for other projects and partners, and exploring other sectors. no specifics have been revealed as of yet.
- Tyler Goodwin, fond of mid-century modern buildings, believes that his real estate company, Seaforth Land, sets itself apart from others with a genuine passion for design and architecture, which they believe boosts returns and empowers their teams to innovate.
- Goodwin's interest in the environment and sustainability is reflected in his projects, such as Space House, an example of experiential offices that achieved BREEAM outstanding certification during its retrofitting.
- In the world of finance and investing, Goodwin seeks out partnerships with architects who not only appreciate the historical context of buildings but also are adept at blending that history with modern function, ensuring both environmental and financial success.
