December 20th 2024.
Get ready, Londoners, because a new skyscraper is coming to town and it's about to give The Shard a run for its money. That's right, a towering 74-storey building, standing at an impressive 309.6 metres tall, has been given the green light by the City of London. And get this - it will be the exact same height as The Shard, making it the joint-tallest building in the UK and Western Europe.
Known as 1 Undershaft, this mega-structure will not only challenge The Shard's title as the tallest building, but it will also offer some exciting new features. For starters, it will have Europe's highest publicly accessible viewing gallery, where visitors can take in breathtaking views of the city. And if that's not enough, there will also be a "classroom in the sky" on levels 72 and 73, providing a unique learning experience for children.
But that's not all - this new skyscraper will also be replacing the current 118-metre-tall St Helen's tower, located on St Helen's Square. And with a whopping 150,000 square metres of office space, it will provide a significant 13 percent of the City's required office space by 2040. And believe it or not, this is just one of nearly 600 new skyscrapers planned for London in the next decade, which could completely transform the city's skyline.
After almost a decade of planning, the City of London has finally given the green light to 1 Undershaft, stating that it will not only meet the demands for economic growth, but also contribute to the city's cultural appeal and tourist attractions. And with a podium garden 42 metres above street level, it's clear that this skyscraper is keeping up with the growing trend of rooftop gardens in London.
But it hasn't been smooth sailing for 1 Undershaft. There were concerns that it would block sunlight and take up public space, leading to objections from neighbours and businesses. In fact, planners initially rejected the plans in July, citing negative impacts on public spaces, especially St Helen's Square, a popular lunch spot for city workers. Architect Kim Wilkie even expressed the importance of open spaces in this dense urban area, stating that the few places where sunlight reaches the ground are especially crucial for creating a comfortable public realm.
Despite these objections, the City of London Corporation and the London Museum are teaming up to make this skyscraper a truly remarkable development. They plan to create a "classroom in the sky" on levels 72 and 73, providing educational facilities for children and local communities. And with its prime location between the Gherkin and the Cheesegrater, 1 Undershaft will certainly make its mark in the city's skyline.
But let's not forget that this new skyscraper will be the same height as The Shard, located just a 20-minute walk away. And it's not just about the height - 1 Undershaft will also overtake 22 Bishopsgate as the tallest building in the City. And if you're wondering why the height is set at exactly 309.6 metres, it's because the Civil Aviation Authority has restrictions due to the number of airports in and around London.
But that's not all - 1 Undershaft will also offer its own unique feature - a 2,500 sqm podium garden 42 metres above street level. This will surely attract visitors who love London's popular rooftop gardens, such as Sky Garden and 120 Fenchurch Street. And for those looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, the building will also have a 7-day-a-week children's educational area and public space on the 72nd and 73rd levels, in collaboration with the London Museum.
Of course, with every development comes objections, and 1 Undershaft was no exception. Historic England expressed concerns about the impact on the surrounding public realm and the Tower of London World Heritage Site. But in the end, the project was approved by a vote of 16 to 7, and construction is expected to be completed in the early 2030s.
Exciting things are on the horizon for London, and this new skyscraper is just one of many developments that will shape the city's future. So mark your calendars for the early 2030s, when the city will welcome its newest addition - 1 Undershaft.
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