PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION ON NEW TALL BUILDING IN CITY OF LONDON UNDERWAY

July 2022

55 Bishopsgate: A dramatic addition to London’s skyline incorporating significant publicly accessible spaces across the upper levels of the building and an animated, open public realm at street level

A sustainability-first design approach inspired by the efficiency of structures found in nature to optimise material quantities, whilst targeting embodied carbon and leading operational performance certifications

Proposals for a new tall building in the City of London with a dramatic design reflecting structures found in nature are currently the focus of a pre-application public consultation.

55 Bishopsgate – which, at 285 metres (AOD), would be one of the tallest buildings in the UK – offers workspace across 60 floors as well as expansive publicly-accessible spaces across the upper floors and enhanced pedestrian permeability and activation at street level through the site.   The scheme is proposed by Schroders Capital, working with development manager Stanhope.

Advanced sustainability and energy efficiency measures are key elements of the design approach.  55 Bishopsgate aspires to achieve industry-leading accreditations including BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, International WELL Building Institute ‘Platinum’ status and a 5.0-5.5* NABERS rating (measuring energy consumption).  An innovative ’smart façade’ includes integrated automated blinds that actively respond to light conditions to significantly reduce operational energy and carbon demands.  Fresh air will be drawn through the façade at each floor level to improve the indoor environmental quality.

In keeping with Schroders Capital’s Net Zero carbon and social impact commitments, 55 Bishopsgate will be one of the first all-electric tall buildings in the UK in both power supply and standby generation.  The proposals also include an extensive bicycle park with best-in-class end-of-trip service facilities, encouraging active lifestyles and fitness.

Designed by London-based architectural practice Arney Fender Katsalidis (AFK Studios), the building will occupy the western edge of the existing Eastern Cluster of tall buildings in the City of London.  As well as responding sympathetically to protected views across the capital, the slender tapering design seeks to make a positive contribution to the skyline by balancing the composition of existing and proposed nearby tall buildings.

55 Bishopsgate will also be the first building proposed in the Corporation of London’s ‘Opportunity Area’ for future tall building development in the City.

55 Bishopsgate will deliver 800,000 sq ft of flexible workspace and relies on a highly efficient architectural and structural system which mirrors nature’s most efficient structural forms.

The upper levels will comprise publicly accessible spaces that will be free to access.  At street level, the design significantly improves the permeability of the current site by introducing a publicly accessible ground plane.  Unlike most London office buildings, the office lobbies are located above ground level (Level 2) to enable the entire ground plane to be accessible to the public.

The result will be a public realm that will provide a focal point for local residents, visitors and people who work in the area, while offering enhanced connectivity for pedestrians through this part of the City of London.

A programme of pre-application public consultation – in-person and online and currently ongoing – will allow people living and working close to the site to share their views on the proposals.

Further details can be found at: www.55BGConsultation.co.uk

Following feedback from the public consultation, Schroders Capital will submit a planning application for 55 Bishopsgate to the Corporation of London in the autumn.  It is anticipated that the project will be delivered by the early 2030s.