London City Planning Officers Recommend Design For 85 Gracechurch Street

UNITED KINGDOM – City planning officers gave their backing to the proposed design for developer Hertshten Group’s 32-storey office building in the City of London, reported Building.co UK on Tuesday afternoon (15 March, SGT).

They said the plans for 85 Gracechurch Street by architectural firm Woods Bagot’s comes with “a number of attractive features”, like greenery and vehicle lifts that integrate into the landscaping.

“The proposal would comprise architecture of the highest quality, with outstanding sustainability credentials, be attractive and contextual at numerous scales and would, in the form of the proposed public hall at ground floor level, deliver a landmark new civic space,” noted the planning officers in recommending the design for approval.

Woods Bagot’s and developer Hertshten Group are targeting a BREEAM “outstanding” sustainability rating for the redeveloped 85 Gracechurch Street.

The design for the building, which will come with around 376,737 sq ft of new office, will retain the existing façade of the structure built in the 1930s that will be used for the podium. It will also feature a public hall, and a heritage garden on level 5, as well as eateries.

However, government heritage adviser Historic England opposes the plan, saying it would affect historic buildings in the vicinity, namely Leadenhall Market, Church of St Michael at Cornhill, and the wider Leadenhall Market Conservation Area.

Historic England believes that the redevelopment would lead to “pronounced harm” to the area’s historic environment.

The city government’s decision on the proposed plan is due on 20 March 2023.

The redevelopment 85 Gracechurch Street will be carried out by Hertshten Group, Woods Bagot’s, planning specialist DP9, M&E consultant Sweco, multi-disciplinary firm Arup, surveyor Shaw Corporation, and QS Turner & Townsend Alinea, plus structural and geotechnical firm Robert Bird.

Meanwhile, two more office buildings are planned close by at Fletcher Priest’s 55 Gracechurch Street, and 70 Gracechurch Street designed by KPF. Hong Kong company Tenacity is developing 55 Gracechurch Street, while Stanhope is the latter’s developer.