The City of London Corporation has approved plans for two major office developments within the Square Mile’s skyscraper cluster, including a 45-storey scheme at 63 St Mary’s Axe and a 32-storey redevelopment at 85 Gracechurch Street on the site of Roman ruins.
The Corporation’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee resolved to grant permission for a scheme at 63 St Mary’s Axe, while unanimously approving updated proposals for the redevelopment of 85 Gracechurch Street.
Together, the towers will deliver more than 110,000 square metres of Grade A office space, the Corporation said in a statement today (8 July).
The 45-storey St Mary’s Axe scheme is designed by Fletcher Priest Architects and funded by AXA IM Alts for an estimated £500m. It includes 85,000 square metres of mixed-use space, supporting around 4,500 jobs.
It will feature elevated walkways, a new public park named Camomile Park, and the restoration of a surviving section of the London Wall. Cultural and Social Enterprise Partners have been appointed to curate a visitor experience at ground level.
The proposals also include 1,500 square metres of public space, two new pedestrian routes, and 76 trees as part of an urban greening programme.
At 85 Gracechurch Street (pictured), client Hertshten Properties (UK) Limited has secured planning consent for a revised 32-storey scheme designed by Woods Bagot.
The £400m development will provide 34,000 square metres of office space for around 2,200 workers. It will involve the partial demolition of an existing building.
The redesign followed the discovery in February of a Roman forum and basilica dating from the 1st century AD during the site preparation phase.
The updated scheme will feature an immersive public exhibition of the archaeological remains, along with a public hall connected to Leadenhall Market and a fifth-floor viewing terrace.
The building will target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, an EPC A rating and a minimum 5-star Nabers UK score. A total of 35,025 square metres of workspace is planned, including private terraces, a business lounge, auditorium and event space.
Construction is scheduled to begin by late 2025 or early 2026, with completion expected in 2029 or 2030.
Archaeological work has been overseen by Museum of London Archaeology and Historic England’s Greater London Archaeology Advisory Service.
Tom Sleigh, chairman of the City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said the schemes “deliver over 100,000 square metres of top-grade office space and thousands of new jobs,” reinforcing London’s position as a global business hub.
Both schemes form part of the Corporation’s Destination City growth strategy, aimed at enhancing the Square Mile’s cultural and hospitality offer and increasing footfall during the working week and weekends.
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Ben Vogel