99 Bishopsgate: Huge new skyscraper in the City of London set for approval
99 Bishopsgate: Huge new skyscraper in the City of London set for approval
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A proposed new 54-storey tower by Liverpool Street Station is due to be decided by City of London Corporation members later this week. If approved, 99 Bishopsgate would become one of the tallest buildings in the Square Mile. The plans have however received push-back from groups including the Government’s heritage body, which has warned of the impact on historic assets such as the Grade-I listed St Paul’s Cathedral. A spokesperson for 99 Bishopsgate said the project would deliver a new ‘landmark’ building in the City, and that the team are working to address concerns raised by stakeholders and consultees.
The application for 99 Bishopsgate was filed with the Corporation last summer on behalf of Brookfield Properties. It detailed plans to part-demolish the existing 26-storey block and replace it with a new 54-storey structure. Primarily delivering office space, the redevelopment would also include a series of public realm improvements, new pedestrian routes, a ground-floor market hall and a standalone six-storey cultural building. This would provide facilities including a multipurpose events hall, creative studios and a ground-floor gallery.
A report compiled by Corporation officers ahead of Friday’s (January 31) Planning Applications Sub-Committee meeting recommends the application is approved. While acknowledging it does not comply with policies relating to heritage and local strategic views, officers wrote that its benefits ‘outweigh the identified conflict with the development plan and other material considerations which weigh against the grant of planning permission’.
