Three separate planning applications for office towers in the City of London are expected shortly, Building Design reports this morning.
The proposed commercial developments are all in the eastern cluster, close to the site of the stalled Pinnacle scheme for which new designs are currently being drawn-up.
The report states that City planner Gwyn Williams is involved in discussions over the proposals, and that two of the applications are expected to be submitted before the end of the year.
There are currently no details about the height or floorspace of the proposed buildings, but the new additions to the development pipeline will be welcomed by the property industry as, following the completion of ongoing projects, there is little stock scheduled to follow in the near future.
Further details will also be hotly anticipated by the growing number of bodies concerned about the proliferation of skyscrapers on the London skyline. While the majority of the schemes currently raising concern are residential towers, high-profile commercial developments have also come under scrutiny.
Williams is confident that these concerns can be overcome, telling the architecture daily shortly after his appointment to the post, that he believes planners are in a strong position to ensure design standards are maintained due to their independence from the relationship between developers and architects.
One City tower whose design is not in question opened its doors to the public over the weekend, during the annual Open House London event.
As we reported last week the newly completed Leadenhall Building was the centrepiece of this year’s showcase and, as expected, it proved to be a popular attraction.
On Saturday 4,297 visitors arrived, and on Sunday the building took to social media to proclaim another busy day.
Amazing weekend, 3,298 visitors through our doors today – hope you all enjoyed it! #openhouselondon #cheesegrater they tweeted.
Visitors to the building were also keen to share their experiences on Twitter. 52 Storeys – a swift 25 seconds, 600ft to the 45 floor – worth the wait! said one.
Was totally worth it! The views were stunning! another enthused.
Other City towers taking part in this year’s Open House London event were the Cheesegrater’s neighbours the Lloyds Building and the Gherkin.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Thames, Al Jazeera Media Network completed its move to The Shard last week. The global broadcaster will run its European news gathering, current affairs and live evening news programmes from a 27,800 sq ft space on the 16th floor of the London Bridge Quarter tower.
“The Shard provides an instantly iconic and perfect London backdrop for our London news output and gives our team a vibrant and inspiring headquarters in which to operate,” said Al Jazeera’s Anil Chaman.
“We are thrilled to be able to base our European headquarters here and look forward to joining a growing media community in the area.”
James Goldsmith, Leasing Director at Shard asset management firm Real Estate Management Ltd, welcomed the Qatar based network’s arrival.
“Al Jazeera is another example of the range of widely respected tenants in the building, “he said.
“The Shard’s services capability and floor configuration have helped it to attract this and other technically advanced occupiers from a diverse range of sectors that includes health, education, law, energy and finance.”
