The Square Mile will get a shiny new skyscraper by the end of the decade, following planning approval from the City of London Corporation.
At 284m, the new skyscraper at 55 Bishopsgate will be one of the tallest buildings in Europe and the third biggest in the City, behind 1 Undershaft scheme (305m) and 22 Bishopsgate (295m). It will offer space for around 7,000 office workers and provide areas for the public to enjoy the City’s culture and views.
Sitting next to the Gherkin and Walkie Talkie Building, construction will begin as early as 2024 with the dismantling of the existing building. The project is set to cost around £600m. The project was given approval by the Corporation’s planning application sub-committee on Friday.
55 Bishopsgate will have 63 storeys, including 22 of mixed-use space, in additon to a free-to-visit public rooftop and more than 100,000 sq m of office space.It is projected to meet almost 15 per cent of office demand required for the Square Mile by 2036, which includes co-working and affordable space.
The rooftop will host a biodiverse climate-resilient garden to help Londoners relax, though its biggest attraction is likely to become its 360-degree view of London from an outside platform.
The construction is also said to be sustainable and central to the City’s ‘Climate Action Strategy’, with the use of highly efficient renewable technology. The development will also include with more than 2,500 sq m of space for tourists and Londoners to enjoy culture and entertainment, with the opportunity to host events, pop-ups and installations, and the ground-level space open 24-hours and seven days a week.
The planning committee said there would be more space for cultural activities on the second and third floors, including an auditorium. 55 Bishopsgate will also boast ground floor space for pop ups, installations and cultural activities
