The City of London Corporation has released images of the Square Mile’s future skyline after 13 new schemes are completed in its eastern cluster.
The pipeline, which includes schemes consented, under construction, or due to start, will alter the City’s skyline significantly by 2026.
Around 60% of the City’s growth is expected to be delivered in the eastern cluster. As of September 2017, more than 14.7m sq ft of offices were under construction in the City with the potential to accommodate 85,000 workers. This compares with 13.1m sq ft in March 2016, before the vote to leave the European Union.
The City of London Corporation’s planning and transportation committee has encouraged two new trends in its consented developments: public viewing galleries and off-site consolidation. Six of the 13 upcoming developments will have free public viewing galleries.
The City Corporation granted 22 Bishopsgate, EC2, planning permission on the condition that its deliveries are sent to an offsite consolidation centre – the first time an office tower has been subject to such a planning requirement.
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. The City’s occupier base is becoming more dynamic, with SMEs and media companies choosing the Square Mile as their home.
“Over the next 30 years I expect that we will need to deliver office space for up to 100,000 extra City workers. Therefore, iconic buildings such as 22 Bishopsgate will lead the way in ensuring the City remains competitive as a leading financial centre.”
Three tall buildings completed construction in 2016-17 including Helical and HOOPP’s One Creechurch Place, EC3, in the eastern cluster.
Approaching completion are 120 Fenchurch Street, 22 Bishopsgate, 100 Bishopsgate and 70 St Mary Axe.
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