Work to start this summer on £85m plan to replace 1970s block with new City office

Work is expected to start this summer on an £85m plan to redevelop a 1970s office block on the site where the Great Fire of London started after the job was given full planning permission last month.

Fletcher Priest’s proposals for Faryners House at 25 Monument Street was handed a resolution to grant consent last summer with full planning awarded 12 days ago.

Bids for the demolition contract went back last week with a winner to tear down the existing seven-storey structure expected in the coming weeks ahead of a summer start with Erith, John F Hunt, Morrisroe and Deconstruct all in the mix for the work.

M3 was the original development manager on the 10-storey scheme but later replaced by Monument Estates, which was set up by Aviva’s former head of development Neal Pickering.

Pickering said: “Securing planning permission represents a significant milestone for Faryners House. The scheme has been carefully developed to maximise both architectural quality and commercial performance. We are preparing to commence works on site and bringing forward a best-in-class office building for the City.”

Faryners House was named after Thomas Farriner, whose bakery on Pudding Lane was the starting point for the great fire in September 1666 that destroyed around 80% of the City.

Fletcher Priest said the £85m scheme would enhance the setting of the adjacent column, built in the 1670s to commemorate the fire, and aim partly to re-establish the original piazza which surrounded the Monument.

The building will run across 97,000sq ft of office space over 10 upper floors, with several levels having external terraces. It will be cube-shaped, starting on Pudding Lane and stepping down towards the side of the building facing the Monument. Work is slated to finish by spring 2029.

Others working on the scheme include cost consultant Exigere and project manager Blackburn & Co. Structural engineer is London Structures Lab.