Plans to refresh 150 Aldersgate and 3-4 Bartholomew Place in Farringdon, EC1, have been approved by the City of London Corporation.
The building will be refurbished and extended by Topland Group and Beltane Asset Management to create a nine-storey building, which will provide 135,000 sq ft of office space and terraces.
Designed by Fletcher Priest Architects the scheme will also feature external courtyards and a ground-floor café, as well as create 250 cycle parking spaces.
Alastair Moss, chair of the Square Mile’s planning committee, said: “The approved scheme demonstrates that the City continues to be an attractive location for developers and investors despite the pandemic. It offers modern and flexible office space in a popular Square Mile area and will play its part in making the City a thriving 24/7 destination for residents, workers and visitors.
“The many urban greening elements, including roof terraces, tree planting and landscaping, will provide benefits to both office occupiers and the wider local community by improving visual amenity, wellbeing and biodiversity.”
The plans received 126 objections from local residents and an objection from the Barbican Association over the height – which will be increased by two storeys – bulk and massing of the building and loss of daylight, sunlight and privacy.
Topland Group of Companies acquired the property in 2001 for £33m, according to Radius Data Exchange.
“Commercial development such as this creates jobs, particularly during this difficult time, and it is crucial that office stock can be sustainably refurbished to meet the changing needs of occupiers, maintaining the City’s position as a powerhouse of the UK and global economy,” Jonathan Chenery, founding partner at Beltane Asset Management, said.
Mark Kingston, managing director at Topland Group, added: “The refurbishment and linking of 150 Aldersgate Street and 3-4 Bartholomew Place is an excellent example of the kind of development that will underpin the City’s future.
“By creating additional commercial space and improved urban greening through the intelligent and efficient use of existing buildings, this scheme shows what can be achieved, and it is great to have the City of London’s support for our approach.”
Gerald Eve advised Topland Group and Beltane Asset Management on the planning process.
Cushman & Wakefield and BH2 have been appointed as joint letting agents.
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