It feels like the Cheesegrater has only just been completed but Singaporean developers Aroland Holdings are filling the gap with their latest ambitious project. Submitting plans for 1 Undershaft, their 72 storey, rectangular building in the heart of the city’s financial district.
One of the tallest buildings on London’s ever changing skyline at 309.6m tall (just off The Shard), it’s set to stand between the Cheesegrater and the Gherkin and will house both office and retail space as well as a 200 capacity restaurant on the 70th floor and a viewing gallery spanning the top two floors.
Developed by Aroland Holdings and designed by Eric Parry Architects, the design was unveiled in December, when Parry said that buildings like 1 Undershaft are a much-needed addition to the city:
‘1 Undershaft will create more of the quality office space that is desperately needed in the capital and will reconnect the city’s tall building cluster with the public’
‘Most skyscrapers are used Monday to Friday but 1 Undershaft will be used seven days a week, with the public able to enjoy the news public square, viewing platform and restaurant every day. It will be the jewel in the crown of the City of London something we hope Londoners will be very proud of’ he said.
The viewing platform will be free of charge during opening hours and access to it will be through one of the eight double-decker express shuttle lifts.
With the capacity to accommodate 10,000 people and space for 1,500 bicycles, the 90,000 square metre building will be in the place of the existing Aviva building.
The proposed development will have an impressive occupancy rate, estimated to be around 8,251 office workers and seeing a net increase of 4,916 employees according to Aroland Holdings.
They also believe that if the development is approved it will:
• Be representative of sustainable development, providing economic, social and environmental benefits,
• Achieve the Mayor’s target for carbon savings through efficiency measures and energy saving methods,
• Be designed with heritage assets in mind, listed buildings and conservation areas,
• Be assessed so that it will not have any adverse effects on iconic views such as from St Paul’s and the Tower of London.
This iconic skyscraper is just one in a long line of towers cropping up on the city’s horizon – and there’s plenty more planned, so watch this space.