Obayashi and Sellar lodge Gracechurch Street tower plans

Plans have gone in to the City of London Corporation for a new 37-storey office block at Allianz House, 60 Gracechurch Street, EC3. The project from Japan’s Obayashi Corporation and developer Sellar seeks to replace a nine-storey office building with 561,112 sq ft of new office space. The workspace will prioritise sustainability, high-quality workspace and employee wellbeing to enable occupying businesses to attract and retain talent. It would also add 2,013 sq ft of retail space, 6,588 sq ft of public space, and 893 sq ft of publicly accessible learning space, as well as public realm enhancements involving highway works on Gracechurch Street and Fenchurch Street. Designed by Danish architect 3XN, the project aspires to provide “a new world-class tall building for the City of London that combines the very best aspirations for sustainability, public access, workplace and architectural design”, according to planning documents. Obayashi’s subsidiary acquired the site in March 2023 from KGAL, adding to its existing portfolio in the area alongside Bracken House and 20 Gracechurch Street.  At the time of launching a consultation on the scheme, Sellar chief executive James Sellar said: “With Obayashi, we share a commitment to delivering one of the most sustainable landmark commercial buildings in the Square Mile, with environmental and wellness credentials that outperform the rest of the City cluster. “Our aim is to create a building with spaces that suit the requirements of modern occupiers, which is essential to attract leading businesses and ensuring London maintain its status as a world-class city. We look forward to working with the City of London Corporation and other local stakeholders on the next stages of this exciting project.”  Photo from Obayashi Corporation