City office floorspace surges as developers back the Square Mile’s future What is city talk?
The City of London Corporation has today (9 March) revealed that, so far this year, it has given planning consent for the equivalent of almost 80% of the total office floorspace it approved for the whole of last year; demonstrating the City office market remains resilient despite new ways of working being adopted throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
The City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee has this year resolved to approve more than two-million square feet (190,297 sqm) of office floorspace within Square Mile developments. That compares to a total of 2,582,348sqft (239,908 sqm) of office floorspace approved in all of 2020.
1/4 Farringdon station
3/4 Inside the station
4/4 Trial operations will begin later this year
Farringdon station has become the first of Crossrail’s central London stations to be handed over to Transport for London (TfL).
Extensive testing and commissioning of systems at the Elizabeth line station have now been finalised in advance of trial operations beginning later this year.
Trial operations is the final phase of testing involving trials to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway for public use. It includes real-time testing of evacuations of trains and stations.
In the meantime, contractor Bam Ferrovial and Kier Joint Venture (BFK JV) will continue demobilisation from the site.
City Corporation approves third tower in a month as developers back Square Mile’s future What is city talk?
The City of London Corporation has today (24 February) approved a new 38-storey development at 2 Finsbury Avenue, making it the third tall building to receive planning permission in the Square Mile in 2021.
The newly approved office-led development, by British Land and GIC, aims to become an innovative, inclusive and sustainable place to work, visit and learn.
The scheme, which is designed by Danish firm 3XN, incorporates new ways of working with flexible and adaptable workspace suitable for a range of occupiers – from incubators and start-ups to medium sized business. An innovative ‘Open Learning Hub’ will be provided as a way for local communities to access the City’s knowledge and expertise through formal learning programmes, informal networks and talks from institutional providers.
KPF wins planning for 30-storey City of London tower
1/13 KPF s proposed plans for 70 Gracehurch Street (October 2020)
Source: courtesy KPF
Source: courtesy KPF
3/13 KPF s proposed plans for 70 Gracehurch Street (October 2020). View towards Walkie Talkie, pictured right
Source: courtesy KPF
4/13 KPF s proposed plans for 70 Gracehurch Street (October 2020). View across The Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge
Source: courtesy KPF
Source: courtesy KPF
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Source: courtesy KPF
11/13 Exisitng 70 Gracechurch Street buidling completed in 2002 by BDP. The scheme itself
replaced Limebank House
Source:
Source: Fletcher Priest and Jason Hawkes
13/13 Approved January 2021: 55 Gracechurch Street by Fletch Priest
Source: Miller Hare
Kohn Pedersen Fox has secured planning permission for a 33-storey mixed-use tower at 70 Gracechurch Street, close to Rafael Viñoly’s Walkie Talkie