Green glass facade of 1 Moor Lane building to be scrapped in sustainability overhaul drawn up by AHMM
The City of London has approved AHMM’s plans to redevelop one of Denys Lasdun’s last major projects despite criticism of the scheme from Historic England.
Brookfield Properties’ proposals for the building formerly known as Milton Gate at 1 Moor Lane, near the Barbican, will retain about 70% of the 1980s block but strip away its green glass facade.
Lasdun, whose projects include the grade II*-listed National Theatre, designed Milton Gate in the 1980s which was completed in 1991 with the building later undergoing a refurbishment by Squire & Partners in 2007.
It is known for its unusual castle-like design and its entirely glass facade, which Brookfield Properties has described as “aesthetically dated”.
It was the subject of a listing bid by the Twentieth Century Society in 2023 which was turned down by Historic England partly because of later changes to the building’s atrium and entrance.
But Historic England said the scale of Brookfield’s new scheme, which will increase the building’s office space by around 50%, would harm nearby heritage sites including the grade II and grade II*-listed Brewery events venue.
AHMM’s proposals for the site would be radically different to the existing building, featuring a white and red-coloured facade and extensive landscaped terraces on upper floors.
Brookfield said the current gas boiler-powered building, which has an EPC rating of E, underperforms both in terms of operational energy and sustainability and described its amenities as dated and lacking appeal.
AHMM founding director Simon Allford said: “1 Moor Lane is the result of Brookfield Properties and AHMM’s shared ambition to create an innovative, low carbon reinvention of an existing building.
“The activated ground floor engages with the historic streetscape, whilst the generous office volumes above open onto, cascading balconies and verdant terraces, delivering a new green edge to the city’s historic skyline.”
The scheme will include a food and beverage space on the ground floor along with a public art space.
The consent for the scheme adds to Brookfield Properties’ 1.3 million sq ft pipeline, which includes RSHP’s 54-storey tower at 99 Bishopsgate which was approved in January.
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