Planning Officers at the Corporation are set to approve multiple planning applications across the Square Mile, for a diverse range of mixed-use schemes that will provide a huge uplift of prime, sustainable office space.
The decisions come as a City delegation travels to Leeds, today, to attend the UK’s largest real planning and infrastructure conference – UK REiiF – bringing together thousands of professionals from national and local government, with the built environment industry.
As demand for new office space continues to rise, the City Corporation will attend UK REiiF to demonstrate to the world’s developers and investors that it is enhancing the Square Mile’s growth, heritage and continued evolution, as a world-leading business district.
Milton Gate
The largest of the schemes will see the retrofit and extension of Milton Gate, at 60 Chiswell Street, receive an uplift of 13,230 sqm, with the building retaining more than 70% of its original substructure to drastically reduce embodied carbon. Chiswell Street will also benefit from a range of new retail units at the ground floor level, as well as new landscaping and planting across the building, where there is currently none.
60 Queen Victoria Street
A second office retrofit will see an extension and retrofit of the building at 60 Queen Victoria Street, with a total of 16,720 square metres (sqm) refurbished space upon completion, including a 2,058 sqm extension. New workers will benefit from outdoor space in the heart of the City, with a roof terrace and balconies on each floor.
150 Minories
The City will welcome a new Co-Living development at 150 Minories, through conversion and extension of an obsolete office space to provide 277 new co-living units. In addition to a new public route through the site, from Minories through to Vine Street, where a new public pocket park will be created.
A further £13 million has been secured from the developer team, to provide housing in neighbouring boroughs.
Faryners House
At 25 Monument Street, the redevelopment of Faryners House will provide a 13,338 sqm of high-quality flexible office floorspace, alongside a new cultural and visitor centre, complete with improved footways and carriageways. The scheme also exceeds the London Plan’s Urban Greening Factor target, through the use of cascading terraces, green roofs, and native planting—strengthening the City’s green infrastructure.
Chairman of the Corporation’s Planning and Transport Committee, Tom Sleigh, said:
“These schemes reflect the City’s commitment to sustainable growth, cultural enrichment, and inclusivity. As we deliver modern workspaces to meet evolving business needs, we are equally focused on respecting our architectural heritage and enhancing amenities for local residents, workers and visitors.”
“With 96% of our offices are within five minutes’ walk of a tube station, we have seen the level of active demand in Central London, particularly for large scale pre-lets, continue to rise. The City Corporation will remain focused on delivering a minimum of 1.2 million square metres of the best-in-class office space in the best-connected locations.”
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