One approved building will be as tall as The Shard
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The City of London Corporation has released new images visualising changes to the Square Mile skyline as work begins on a new skyscraper, weeks after ancient discoveries were made in the city.
New CGI photos imagine major developments which have been approved by the Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee. It comes as new City of London research shows that at least 1.2 million additional square meters of office spaces will be needed by 2040 to maintain London’s global status.
Approved planned offices include a 285m tower at 55 Bishopsgate and One Undershaft, that would match the height of The Shard.
The images come just weeks after a Roman wall was found in an office basement, described as one of the most important pieces of Roman history in the city of London. The site was discovered under 85 Gracechurch Street, where several other buildings are planned, raising concerns as to whether plans could erode the city’s history.
Skyline labelled by City of London Corporation
The plans for One Undershaft have faced criticism from London heritage organisations. In December, Historic Royal Palaces outlined their ‘strong objection’ to the project that risks ‘harming the setting of the Tower of London’. The plans have also been criticised by the largest surviving parish church in the City, St Helen’s, Bishopsgate. They say One Undershaft will ‘impact the setting of their grade 1-listed church’.
Work on One Undershaft begins today with the largest office block demolition in London’s history. The 118-metre St Helen’s tower is being knocked down to make way for the City’s incoming tallest structure.
Speaking about the images, Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation said:
These new images clearly illustrate the ever-changing nature of London’s incredible skyline and that the Square Mile’s real estate sector is robust and thriving. Delivering growth and attracting new businesses to a dynamic and thriving City, whilst striking a balance with heritage conservation, is vital for the Square Mile’s future.
The images reflect the progress of the City’s strategy ‘Destination City’ that aims to encourage office footfall and drive tech investment in post-pandemic recovery.
The demand for more office space comes after several London-based employers reviewed their working polices at the start of 2025, with companies like Amazon reinstating its five-day-in-office working week. Other major London offices like Citibank and Goldman Sachs have also ceased work from arrangements that became popular during the pandemic.
The images have been released ahead of Europe’s largest real estate conference (MIPIM) which the City of London Corporation will attend in France next week.
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HeadlineCity of London Corporation reveal London’s new skyline, with offices planned on recently-excavated basilica
Short HeadlineLondon's new skyline puts ancient discoveries at risk
StandfirstThe City of London Corporation has released new images visualizing a decade of changes to the Square Mile skyline over the next decade.
The City of London Corporation has released new images visualising changes to the Square Mile skyline as work begins on a new skyscraper, weeks after ancient discoveries were made in the city.
New CGI photos imagine major developments which have been approved by the Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee. It comes as new City of London research shows that at least 1.2 million additional square meters of office spaces will be needed by 2040 to maintain London’s global status.
Approved planned offices include a 285m tower at 55 Bishopsgate and One Undershaft, that would match the height of The Shard.
The images come just weeks after a Roman wall was found in an office basement, described as one of the most important pieces of Roman history in the city of London. The site was discovered under 85 Gracechurch Street, where several other buildings are planned, raising concerns as to whether plans could erode the city’s history.
Skyline labelled by City of London Corporation
The plans for One Undershaft have faced criticism from London heritage organisations. In December, Historic Royal Palaces outlined their ‘strong objection’ to the project that risks ‘harming the setting of the Tower of London’. The plans have also been criticised by the largest surviving parish church in the City, St Helen’s, Bishopsgate. They say One Undershaft will ‘impact the setting of their grade 1-listed church’.
Work on One Undershaft begins today with the largest office block demolition in London’s history. The 118-metre St Helen’s tower is being knocked down to make way for the City’s incoming tallest structure.
Speaking about the images, Chris Hayward, Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation said:
These new images clearly illustrate the ever-changing nature of London’s incredible skyline and that the Square Mile’s real estate sector is robust and thriving. Delivering growth and attracting new businesses to a dynamic and thriving City, whilst striking a balance with heritage conservation, is vital for the Square Mile’s future.
The images reflect the progress of the City’s strategy ‘Destination City’ that aims to encourage office footfall and drive tech investment in post-pandemic recovery.
The demand for more office space comes after several London-based employers reviewed their working polices at the start of 2025, with companies like Amazon reinstating its five-day-in-office working week. Other major London offices like Citibank and Goldman Sachs have also ceased work from arrangements that became popular during the pandemic.
The images have been released ahead of Europe’s largest real estate conference (MIPIM) which the City of London Corporation will attend in France next week.
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