The City of London Corporation has today granted planning permission to Aroland Holdings for their development at 1 Undershaft in the City of London. The building will have a total height of 304.94 metres making it the second tallest building in Western Europe after the Shard.

It was approved today at the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee following their vote of 19-2 to approve the project which will involve the demolition of the existing Aviva Tower, followed by the development of a 73 storey building.

1 Undershaft, the tallest building in the Square Mile, will provide 130,000 square metres of office accommodation, as well as more than 2,000 square meters of retail space. An estimated 10,000 workers will work in the building upon completion.

At the top of the building will be a free public viewing gallery, which will be served by dedicated lifts. The public viewing gallery will host London’s highest restaurant and have interactive learning spaces where schools and other groups can discover more about the capital, its growth and history. The Museum of London has had discussions with the developer over a dedicated gallery at the top of the building, utilising 1 Undershaft’s height to show London’s development.

At the base of 1 Undershaft, a new larger public square will be created. The building has an elevated reception, allowing pedestrians to walk freely beneath the building, and the project includes over 1,600 cycle spaces and 150 showers with changing rooms.

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

“I’m delighted that we have approved 1 Undershaft. It is a truly unique building that fits in well with the City’s history, as well as our future ambitions for growth.

“Over the next thirty years I expect that we will need to deliver office space for more than 50,000 extra workers within the Square Mile, and this development is important in reaching that end goal.

“This development shows the high levels of investor confidence in London’s status as a global city following our decision to leave the European Union.

“I believe this building will play an important part in increasing London’s attraction as the world’s leading financial centre.”

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About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust makes grants of around £20 million annually to charitable projects across London and we also support education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
• We also help look after key London’s heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.