Berkeley Square House

 In the heart of London’s bustling West End, Berkeley Square House - a landmark multi-tenant office building known for its exclusivity, heritage, and global tenant base - has embraced a forward-thinking approach to access control.  

Tasked with delivering a smarter, more seamless entry experience that met modern expectations without compromising security, the building’s management team turned to Gallagher Security and Channel Partner Core Security Systems to implement a solution that was both high-assurance and future-focused. 

A frictionless future for premium spaces 

“Our biggest challenge is the smooth transition of occupiers and visitors coming into the building,” explains Hayley Nicholls, Senior Building Manager at Berkeley Square House. “Additionally, being in the West End of London, our tenants are strict on security, so having a frictionless yet secure solution was key for us all.” 

Berkeley Square House’s brief was clear: deliver a smooth, secure passage from street to suite. The building’s management team needed a system that could cater to a wide range of user needs, from long-term tenants and facilities teams to short-term guests and international visitors, all while maintaining a seamless user experience and strong control over building-wide security. 

“The transition from the street, through the speed lanes, into the lifts, onto the floors, and through any door needed to be frictionless as possible,” emphasizes Michael Michael, Managing Director at Core Security Systems. 

Gallagher’s solution empowered precisely that. By utilising Gallagher’s employee badge in Apple Wallet on iPhone and Apple Watch, the system provided users with secure, tap-and-go access using NFC-enabled readers, eliminating the need to open an app or carry a plastic card. 

“Berkeley Square House wanted an almost frictionless route from commuter entry to office destination - no unnecessary stops, no forgotten cards. Employee badge in Apple Wallet delivered just that,” says Michael. 

Secure, scalable, and simple 

Behind the scenes, Gallagher’s end-to-end encrypted architecture was a key factor in the building owner’s decision to roll out the system. 

“Gallagher offers end-to-end encryption from the credential, through the reader, the controller, all the way to the server,” explains Michael. “This was very important for our client - to reduce the volume of physical card credentials and protect the system at every point.” 

Command Centre served not only as the platform for access control, but also as the credential manager and credential provider, a distinction that eliminated the need for third-party provisioning systems and significantly reduced deployment complexity. 

Gordon Swallow, Sales Manager – UK South at Gallagher, who collaborated with Core Security System’s team to deliver a solution for Berkeley Square House, elaborates: 

“One of the key features of employee badge in Apple Wallet is that we’re able to be both the manager and the provider of the mobile credential, all from Command Centre without the need for integration from any other system. This makes a huge difference in Berkeley Square House’s credential administration and management because it’s seamless within their security system.” 

Michael agrees: “Issuing and managing employee badge in Apple Wallet entirely within Command Centre is a huge advantage for large, multi-tenant buildings like this one." 

Provisioning was simple: employees received an email invitation, downloaded the Gallagher Mobile Connect app, and instantly added their credential to Apple Wallet. With in-app provisioning, access was up and running in minutes, and employees could continue using their badge even if their iPhone or Apple Wallet needed to be charged.