1 Undershaft will be the
tallest building in the City.
The 73 story development at
1 Undershaft in the City of London will rise to 309.6m crowning the new cluster
of planned skyscrapers in the Square Mile.
The proposed 970,000 sq ft
building also includes the creation of a large public square at the base of the
tower and a free public viewing gallery, education centre and restaurant at the
top of the tower.
The design for the new tower has
been commissioned by Singapore-based Aroland Holdings which is currently
developing skyscrapers in capital cities around the world.
The design is from Eric Parry,
the architect behind the acclaimed St Martin-in-the-Field project in London’s
Trafalgar Square and the new City of London office development at 10 Fenchurch
Avenue.
Parry said: “1 Undershaft
represents the very best of British architecture in a premier location at the
heart of London. It will be a building where the public are put first with a
new public square at its base and the capital’s tallest free public viewing
gallery at its top. 1 Undershaft will create more of the quality office space
that is desperately needed in the capital and will reconnect the city’s tall
building cluster with the public.
“The City of London is proving it
can yet again attract international investment in creating unique and important
new buildings. This building will set new standards for the City in terms of
comfort, quality, environmental sustainability and putting the public at the
heart of the tower.
“Most skyscrapers are used Monday
to Friday but 1 Undershaft will be used seven days a week, with the public able
to enjoy the new public square, viewing platform and restaurant every day. It
will be the jewel in the crown of the City of London and something we hope
Londoners will be very proud of.”
At the base of the tower, a new
larger public square will be created. The tower will employ an elevated
reception lobby meaning that the public will be able to walk freely beneath the
skyscraper. The open public space at the base of the tower creates a connection
between two of the City of London’s most ancient places of worship. St Andrew
Undershaft and St Helen’s Bishopsgate churches will be connected by the new
sightline across the open public square. 1,800sqm of retail space will also be
created in a basement-level retail gallery of new restaurants, cafes, and shops
accessed from the public square.
At the top of the building will
be a free public viewing gallery, which will be served by dedicated lifts. The
free public viewing gallery will be accompanied by an education centre with two
classrooms for school parties to learn more about the capital, its growth and
its history, and London’s highest public restaurant.
Upon completion the building will
accommodate 10,000 people. 1,500 bicycle spaces will be provided with new
shower and changing facilities to encourage active commuting.
A planning application will be
submitted to the City of London in the New Year. JLL acted for Aroland in the
purchase of 1 Undershaft and continues to provide commercial advice.