City of London Approves Skyscraper Matching The Shard’s Height

The City of London Corporation has given its approval for a skyscraper, One Undershaft, which will match the height of The Shard. This 74-storey structure is set to become the tallest building within the City of London. Plans for the building also include a public garden on its 11th floor and an education centre for the London Museum. The City of London Corporation granted approval for the project on Friday, despite ongoing objections from some consulted parties, such as Historic England and Tower Hamlets Council. Standing at 309.6m (1015.8ft) tall, the building is planned for a site located between the Gherkin and Cheesegrater structures. Its construction will proceed after the current Aviva Tower is demolished. Shravan Joshi, who chairs the corporation’s planning and transportation committee, characterized the skyscraper as a “truly remarkable building.” Mr. Joshi further stated that the development would provide premium office space and augment the capital’s cultural and tourism attractions. “I’m particularly pleased that we will be able to work with the London Museum to open the uppermost floors of One Undershaft to schoolchildren and local communities,” he commented. The revised proposal reviewed by members on Friday incorporated several changes compared to the scheme initially put forward during the summer. These modifications include alterations to the building’s ground floor, specifically relocating the southern façade northward and consolidating public entrances into an elevated lobby, aiming to preserve more of St Helen’s Square. Additionally, a new 20-metre public screen is planned to face the square, intended for displaying public information and featuring events like sports fixtures. A number of consulted parties, including Historic England and Tower Hamlets Council, have sustained their objections to the plan, citing concerns such as the anticipated effect on heritage assets like the Tower of London. A spokesperson representing Historic England stated: “We are disappointed that this scheme has been approved because the people of London deserve better. The proposed building will have a harmful impact on precious public space, as well as on the important listed buildings beside the development site and the Tower of London World Heritage Site.” Both London City Airport and Heathrow Airport raised submissions indicating that the proposed development might present a safety hazard, recommending that this be addressed through the implementation of specific conditions. These conditions have subsequently been incorporated. Further objections were lodged by entities such as the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), owner of Fitzwilliam House, and Stone Real Estate, representing Baltic Exchange Holdings, which owns the Baltic Exchange at 38 St Mary Axe. Their submissions highlighted worries regarding the potential effects on natural light if the tower were constructed, and the necessity for increased security measures due to the planned digital screen. Eric Parry Architects was responsible for the building’s design, acting for Aroland Holdings Ltd. Pua Seck Guan, representing Aroland Holdings Ltd, expressed his “delighted” reaction to the plans’ approval. Eric Parry, the founder of Eric Parry Architects, commented: “Tall buildings can generate huge amounts of value in our cities. We’re grateful that the City of London Corporation’s planners and policymakers have worked with us to realise this significant project, which will support the City’s ambitions in the capital.” Following the decision on Friday, a spokesperson for the Twentieth Century Society, an organization dedicated to safeguarding architecturally significant buildings, voiced their objection to the demolition of the Aviva Tower. They further stated, “The heritage of the City of London is something of increasing concern for the society.”