Piccadilly Lights, W1

Piccadilly Lights has been one of London’s most iconic landmarks and renowned sites for over a century since the first advertisement appeared in 1908. When Landsec completed the freehold purchase of the entire site in 2012, the UK’s largest property development and investment company had big ideas in mind. Gratte Brothers Security Systems & Software was selected to deliver the shell and core as well as the fit out works for the electronic security systems required to bring Piccadilly Lights to life.

2017 saw the lights turn off for the site’s major renovation which whilst preserving the renowned façade and design would ultimately deliver Europe’s most technically advanced digital screen. It’s hard to imagine that this digital screen started out as simple lightbulbs before evolving to neon signs, then digital projects and onto LEDs in 2011.

Gratte Brothers’ installation in 2017 included electronic security systems comprised of integrated reception systems and the information and communication technology infrastructure required for the high-class residential apartment buildings that sit behind the screen. The project also included installation of an IP network system, IP CCTV, access control and intercom system.

At 780 sq.m, Piccadilly Lights is bigger than a tennis court and today, its interactive technology means that it is able to respond to real-time factors such as the weather and the colours of cars and displays the advertisements of some of the World’s most influential brands, organisations and vital causes.

Vital to our delivery was the broadcast and hyperoptic systems as well as the critical fixing of wireless access units to the new light screen which allowed Piccadilly to once again turn on its lights!