British Land and Blackstone’s plans to revamp Broadgate Circle, EC2, are set to be approved by the City of London.
The improvements – which include the creation of seven restaurant and shop units arranged around an improved performance space – were recommended for approval ahead of a planning meeting this week.
Six new kiosks will also be created on the ground floor.
A number of the lower ground units will be spread onto the basement level, allowing them to accommodate uses such as gym space.
Plans to build a new headquarters for UBS at 5 Broadgate attracted strong criticism from English Heritage last year.
But the conservation group raised no objections to the retail revamp, backing the scheme at pre-application stage.
The London Borough of Hackney has also backed the plans.
However, the Twentieth Century Society has objected on a number of grounds, including the “much stronger and more obvious retail emphasis at lower ground floor” on the grounds it would be “detrimental to the original intentions of the space to provide a ‘place of counterpoint’ to the surrounding buildings and uses”.
Announcing the plans earlier this year, British Land head of offices Tim Roberts said the proposals were designed to enhance the public amenity and structure at the heart of Broadgate while preserving its essential character.
“It represents a significant investment and improvement in the public realm to create a much livelier and active social and civic space,” he said.
“The stronger retail element will allow more people to linger and enjoy and interact with the space and performances and activities in the Circle,” he added.
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
