Corporation claims projections demonstrate post-pandemic confidence

resize_Future City skyline. CREDIT - Didier Madoc Jones of GMJ and City of London Corporation

Source: Didier Madoc-Jones of GMJ / City of London Corporation

CGI projection of the City of London skyline in the mid-2020s

The City of London Corporation has released new images showing how the skyline could look in the mid-2020s.

The majority of the tall buildings in the updated views will be in the so-called eastern cluster and will fill the gap towards Rafael Vinoly’s Walkie Talkie which, despite being much closer to the Tower of London World Heritage Site than the rest of the cluster, was approved because of its “high-quality design”.

The City issued the projections, arguing that the images demonstrate investor confidence in the Square Mile despite the pandemic throwing the future of the office into doubt.

Alastair Moss, chair of the corporation’s planning and transportation committee, said: “These new CGI images clearly illustrate that the City office is here to stay and the future of the Square Mile remains bright.”

Four of the buildings in the cluster were approved in the last year, with a fifth, Acme’s 60 Aldgate High Street, outside the cluster.

The rest are either already consented, under construction or recently completed, like PLP’s giant 22 Bishopsgate, the new tallest building in the City.

The list also includes Eric Parry’s 1 Undershaft whose future has been the subject of much speculation. The list also includes Foster & Partners’ Tulip but the City said this does not appear in the visualisations because it is still subject to a planning inquiry.

resize_Future City skyline 2. CREDIT - Didier Madoc Jones of GMJ and City of London Corporation

Source: Didier Madoc-Jones of GMJ / City of London Corporation

CGI projection of the City of London skyline in the mid-2020s

Moss insisted he had “every confidence in a thriving and sustainable Square Mile”, adding: “As we look towards the recovery from the pandemic, our planning pipeline is extremely busy with the anticipation of a swift return to the City as the leading place for business in a world-class environment.”

He said the City had had “phenomenal” support from developers and investors despite the uncertain times.

“These developers have embraced trends – such as flexible workspace, world-class additions to the public realm and including an array of wellness practices such as greening – to ensure office buildings in the City remain fit for the future,” he added.

The future City skyline - anotated

Source: Didier Madoc-Jones of GMJ / City of London Corporation

Development + architect
Height (m)Status

22 Bishopsgate - PLP

294.94

Just completed

100 Bishopsgate - Allies & Morrison

172.0m

Just completed

150 Bishopsgate - PLP

135.0m

Nearing completion

6-8 Bishopsgate - Wilkinson Eyre

185.0m

Under construction

40 Leadenhall Street - Make

170.0m

Under construction

1 Leadenhall Place - Make

183.0m

Under construction

1 Undershaft - Eric Parry

304.9m

Consented

100 Leadenhall Street - SOM

263.0m

Consented

50 Fenchurch Street - Eric Parry

149.6m

Resolved to consent – still subject to S106 approval

70 Gracechurch Street - KPF

154.8m

Resolved to consent – still subject to S106 approval

55 Gracechurch Street - Fletcher Priest

146.0m

Resolved to consent – still subject to S106 approval

2-3 Finsbury Avenue - 3XN

170.2m

Resolved to consent – still subject to S106 approval

The Tulip - Foster & Partners

305.0m

Currently subject of a public inquiry

resize_Future City skyline 3. CREDIT - Didier Madoc Jones of GMJ and City of London Corporation

Source: Didier Madoc-Jones of GMJ / City of London Corporation

CGI projection of the City of London skyline in the mid-2020s