05
October
2017
|
15:42
Europe/London

City of London Corporation approves revised plans for taller Bishopsgate office tower

The City of London Corporation has today granted planning permission to Mitsubishi Estate London for their development at the corner of Bishopsgate and Leadenhall Street in the City of London. When completed, the structure will now reach a height of 221.3 m (726 ft) making it the fourth tallest building out of all existing and planned buildings in the City.

It was agreed today at the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee to approve the project which will involve the demolition of 6-8 Bishopsgate and 150 Leadenhall Street, followed by the development of a 50 storey building on the same site. The original consented scheme, approved in 2015, comprised of 40 storeys.

With 86,000 sq m (925,000 sq ft) of office accommodation, the new building will provide almost 15,000 sq m (161,500 sq ft) more office space than the previous consented scheme. Additionally, flexible shop, café and restaurant space and a publicly accessible roof top viewing gallery has been approved. An estimated 4,500 will work in the building upon completion.

The public viewing gallery at the top of the building will be available free of charge to 50 members of public at one time, served by a dedicated entrance, lobby and lifts, providing spectacular views of London.

The project includes over 961 cycle parking spaces with 961 lockers and 96 showers. Conditions, including staggered delivery times, are in place to ensure that the impact of servicing traffic are minimized.

Chris Hayward, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said:

“I’m pleased that we have approved additions to the Bishopsgate/Leadenhall development which will help to meet future requirements for City workers.

“The London Plan projects a 35% increase in City employment in the next 20 years and the changing City skyline is beginning to reflect that. We currently provide 93 million sq ft of office space in the City, with a further 13.5 million sq ft under construction.

“Continued development is hugely significant in our efforts to deliver modern offices to more diverse occupiers.

“While committed to supporting the growth of financial and professional services, our City occupier base is changing and evolving and we also continue to see technology, media and telecommunications industries attracted to the Square Mile and we are working to make sure the City meets their changing needs.

“The revision to this application demonstrates confidence in the City’s status as a business district following our decision to leave the European Union.”

Commenting on the design of the building, Oliver Tyler, Director at architects WilkinsonEyre said:

"Our revised design retains the architectural concept of the original scheme consented in 2015 but responds to the changes to the City of London's cluster of tall buildings. 

“The stepped form of the earlier scheme is retained but is taller whilst keeping a similar proportional relationship between the different blocks."