The City’s future is sky high

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  Posted by: electime      28th December 2017

The City of London is getting taller. With 13 new schemes consented, under construction or due to start construction in its eastern cluster, the pipeline means that the City skyline will look a lot different in ten years’ time.

Around 60% of the City’s growth is expected to be delivered in the eastern cluster. As of September 2017, there was over 1.37 million square metres of office space under construction in the City with the potential to accommodate 85,000 workers. This compares to 1.22 million square metres in March 2016, before the vote to leave the European Union.

Two noticeable trends have emerged around new tall developments approved by the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee:

  • Public viewing galleries.
  • Off-site consolidation.
  • The City is internationally unique in its offer of so many free public viewing galleries in tall buildings, paving the way for tourists, school children and the wider public to enjoy London’s development from a great height.

    • Six of the 13 upcoming developments will have free public viewing galleries. These are 22 Bishopsgate (TwentyTwo), 120 Fenchurch Street, 6-8 Bishopsgate, 1 Leadenhall Street and 1 Undershaft, which will also host a dedicated Museum of London gallery at the top of the building, alongside interactive learning spaces and London’s highest restaurant. These six include 2-3 Finsbury Avenue, located north of the eastern cluster.

    The City Corporation granted TwentyTwo planning permission on the condition that its deliveries are sent to an offsite consolidation centre. This is the first time an office tower has been subject to such a planning requirement. The City Corporation encourages the use of off-site consolidation to reduce the traffic, safety and environmental impacts of freight while improving safety and still allowing the City to receive the deliveries it needs.

    Chris Hayward, Planning Committee Chairman at the City of London Corporation said: “It is unprecedented to see such a scale of development taking place at one time in the Square Mile. There are now more cranes in the City sky than in recent decades.

    “The City’s occupier base is becoming more dynamic, with SMEs and media companies choosing the Square Mile as their home. I am particularly proud that we are able to make available economically inclusive spaces with free public viewing galleries in City skyscrapers.

    “Over the next thirty years I expect that we will need to deliver office space for up to 100,000 extra City workers. Therefore iconic buildings such as TwentyTwo will lead the way in ensuring the City remains competitive as a leading financial centre.”

    Three tall buildings completed construction in 2016/17 including 1 Creechurch Place in the eastern cluster. Approaching completion were 120 Fenchurch Street, The Scalpel, 22 Bishopsgate, 100 Bishopsgate and 70 St Mary Axe.