1 Undershaft
| 1 Undershaft | |
|---|---|
 Proposed design for 1 Undershaft (centre), standing to the left of The Gherkin | |
| General information | |
| Status | Proposed |
| Type | Office |
| Location | City of London |
| Address | 1 Undershaft |
| Town or city | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Client | Aroland Holdings |
| Height | |
| Architectural | 294.6 m (966.5 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 73 |
| Floor area | 90,000 sq m (968,751.94 sq ft)[1] |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Eric Parry Architects |
Coordinates: 51°30′51″N 0°04′54″W / 51.514242°N 0.081583°W
1 Undershaft is a proposed skyscraper for the City of London financial district developed by Aroland Holdings and designed by Eric Parry Architects. The proposed tower would replace the St Helen's tower, and upon completion become the second tallest skyscraper in London and the United Kingdom.
A planning application for the development was submitted in February 2016.
Background
Original proposal
In January 2015, early plans emerged of a replacement office building for the St Helen's tower in Undershaft within London's Square Mile.[2] The proposal, named 1 Undershaft, was designed by Avery Associates who began working on the scheme in collaboration with the then owner of the site Simon Halabi in 2010.[3] At 270 metres (885 ft), it would have become the third tallest building in London and the United Kingdom behind The Shard and the stalled Bishopsgate Tower.[4]
New proposal
In July 2015, details of a revised scheme by the new owners of the site, Aroland Holdings, were reported. The plans were for a skyscraper of 304 m (997 ft) designed by Eric Parry Architects.[5] According to some reports, the design could be "modelled on Cleopatra's Needle".[6]
In December 2015, the new design was released for a tower of 294.6 metres (966.5 ft) with 73 floors.[1][7] Subject to planning permission, it will become the tallest building in the Square Mile when completed and the second tallest building in London and the United Kingdom behind The Shard.[4]
A consultation process took place in autumn 2015.[8] On 8 February 2016, a planning application was submitted for the development.[9]
Design
The proposed skyscraper is rectangular in shape and slightly tapers as it gets higher.[10] Developer Aroland Holdings originally wanted 1 Undershaft to be taller than the proposed height. However, the height has been limited by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) due to the proximity of the building to London City Airport. In addition, the building's crown, which was intended to resemble Cleopatra's Needle, was not accepted by City planners who wanted "a less demonstrative top. They didn’t want another overt shape".[10]
The tower is designed to be built 10.5 metres off the ground in order to create public space underneath the building. To make room for the public space, the core will need to be positioned to the side of the tower. As a result, bronze diamond shaped external cross bracing will be required.[1][11]
A public square is also part of the proposed scheme which, in part, is planned to be below ground level.[10] The top of the skyscraper is set to have London's highest viewing gallery free for public access and a restaurant.[1][10]
At the basement level, plans for 1,800 sq m of retail space and restaurants are also part of the proposed development.[1]
Location
1 Undershaft in the City of London.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Eric Parry Architects unveils tallest tallest tower in City of London". dezeen.com. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ "Construction Enquirer » Design unveiled for City of London’s tallest skyscraper". constructionenquirer.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
- ↑ "Avery Associates Reveals Design for 270-Metre Tower Next to London’s Cheesegrater". ArchDaily. Archived from the original on 2015-03-25. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
- 1 2 "Skyscraper Center - London". skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ↑ "Plans for skyscraper to rival the Shard to be submitted to City of London". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ↑ "22 Bishopsgate – and the steroidal towers set to ruin London's skyline". theguardian.com. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ↑ "No.1 Undershaft at The Skyscraper Center". skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ "Plans for skyscraper to rival the Shard to be submitted to City of London". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
- ↑ Williams, Richard. "Plans for City of London's tallest building submitted". propertyweek.com. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 Wainwright, Oliver. "1 Undershaft, the tallest skyscraper in the City of London, revealed". Guardian.com. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ↑ Heathcote, Edwin. "City of London’s tallest building rises above corporate interests". ft.com. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
External links
- Avery Associates website Avery-Architects.co.uk
- Eric Parry Architects website EricParryArchitects.co.uk