New 32-storey tower could be built in central London

Architects Fletcher Priest has revealed plans to build a 146m-tall building next to the Walkie Talkie tower in central London.

The application for the 32-storey office scheme at 55 Gracechurch Street includes flattening an existing 1992 building designed by Sheppard Robson.

The project for Hong Kong-based developer Tenacity will feature a six-storey podium level providing a mix of shops and space for "high-growth, early-stage companies" and tech businesses set below winter garden-style terraces.

The two towers within the "elegant dual form structure" will house 25 floors of workspace aimed at "traditional" mid-size City companies.

How the new London building could look

According to Tenacity, it is "committed to developing a world-class and sustainable addition to the Eastern City Cluster, which reflects the changing nature of the City".

They said: "The new pedestrian routes directly feed multiple publicly accessible interactive levels within the building, which are topped by a generous public green space, part of an extensive urban greening programme.

"The proposal creates new spaces for forms of recreation and interaction that serve the creative and social needs of the City’s working population.

"It contributes to an evolving image of the City as a 24/7 destination and supports the diversification of the City population."

The site is bounded by Gracechurch Street to the west, St Benet’s Place and a private courtyard to the north, Brabant Court to the east and Talbot Court to the south.

Another look at the proposed design

The developers said the design of the building sought to address foreseeable workplace issues, such as the impact Covid-19 may have.

They also said the development provides the chance to deliver: 

• A hybrid, new generation, resilient workspace for the City of London aimed at high growth early stage companies as well traditional City occupiers

 • Highly sustainable single occupant workspace floorplates

• A supportive business ecology for startups, accelerators and peak performance organisations in emerging and established sectors in a fast-changing part of the City

• A new intersection of lively historic pedestrian routes that allow new links to some of the City’s major transport hubs

• A sheltered multi-level public garden with intriguing new views of the area and the Pool of London

 • Extensive urban greening

 • A forward-thinking out of hours servicing strategy to improve safety, pollution, noise and congestion

The application was submitted to the City of London on August 24.