PRH completes move to One Embassy Gardens

Penguin Random House UK's major office move has now taken place, with Transworld leaving its site in Ealing while other divisions have departed the offices formerly held on the Strand. From now on, the company will be based across the London sites, including at the long-held Vauxhall Bridge Road (VBR) office, and at the newly developed Embassy Gardens.

The move to One Embassy Gardens was first revealed in 2018. It was announced then that the building would house Michael Joseph and Penguin Random House Children’s, both previously based at the Strand; Transworld, moving from its site in Ealing; and Vintage, moving from VBR; as well as the audiences and audio, communications and corporate responsibility, and finance teams. Meanwhile at VBR, where Ebury and Cornerstone are already located, they are now joined by Penguin General and Penguin Press from the Strand.

While PRH isn't bringing staff back to its offices in the US until 2021, it is understood that colleagues in the UK will have the option to work from its offices from September. Initially this will be on a voluntary basis, and its facilities and technology teams are working with departments to manage requirements, ensuring it is able to provide a safe working environment for all on site. The publisher is also gathering information on individual needs through a questionnaire that was sent out to staff.

When PRH staffers do return, at One Embassy Gardens they will be greeted by a separate PRH reception area and event space on the first floor and have access to a canteen for staff and secure storage facilities for bicycles. There will also be the new Penguin Studio, comprising three new "state-of-the-art" recording studios, which will serve as a central hub for PRH UK's audiobook publishing.

The VBR office has recently been refurbished and upgraded, too, including the canteen.

The move was carried out with the assistance of an office move specialist, arranging safe and socially distanced transportation of office equipment.