700-year-old church lifted into air at Multiplex’s 50 Fenchurch Street tower

A 700-year-old church tower has been suspended on 45ft stilts while work to clear the ground below at Multiplex’s 50 Fenchurch Street site in the City of London takes place.

The grade I-listed Tower of All Hallows Staining, which was built around 1320, and the grade II Lambe’s Chapel Crypt, which dates from 1200, will both be restored under the plans.

The church was lifted into the air earlier this week to allow Keltbray to carry out piling and excavations work at the site which will be home to a 36-storey tower designed by Eric Parry.

Developer and 22 Bishopsgate owner Axa IM Alts appointed Multiplex to the job last summer on a PCSA. The £400m scheme is due to complete in 2028.

The 150m tall project will replace the site’s 1950s livery hall and will include a replacement underground livery hall topped by retail, office space, a public roof garden and winter garden and a new public space based around a restored grade I church tower.

The tenth floor will include internal and external gardens designed by DSDHA with more than 40 planted balconies and terraces at the scheme, encompassing over 70 species of plant life.

The tower, which will be among the most visible in the City’s skyscraper cluster when viewed from the south side of the river, will incorporate a vertical green wall, bespoke ceramic cladding at ground level, a glazed podium and crafted glass detailing on the upper levels.

The project team also includes development manager Yard Nine, project manager Third London Wall, QS Core Five and M&E consultant Arup. Workman is carrying out development monitoring at the site.