1 Undershaft

This new landmark tower, designed by Eric Parry Architects on behalf of Aroland Holdings Ltd, will offer approximately 154,000 sqm of best-in-class commercial space at the centre of the Eastern City Cluster. The consented scheme will offer a large number of publicly accessible spaces throughout the building, a significantly improved public realm, and industry-leading sustainability credentials.

On completion the building will become the tallest in the City of London and joint tallest in Western Europe at 309.6m AOD, matching the height of the Shard.  1 Undershaft will feature Europe’s highest publicly accessible viewing gallery at the top of the building and a world-leading educational space curated by the London Museum, giving children and families the chance to learn about London’s unique geography, history, providing outstanding views across London.

The proposed public amenity strategy aligns with the City of London’s ‘Destination City’ campaign, which aims to enhance the diversity of cultural and leisure opportunities within the largely commercial district. On completion, 1 Undershaft will provide nearly 13% of the City of London’s identified office space requirement, responding to the City Plan 2040, which identifies demand for a minimum of 1.2 million sqm of net additional office space required over the next 16 years.

Free to Access Public Garden

The building will offer a free-to-access elevated public garden on the 11^th floor, designed with landscape architects SLA, providing unique views of the London skyline including of St Paul’s Cathedral, 30 St Mary Axe, and the Lloyds building. With a 330m perimeter, this will become a biodiverse haven for City workers and visitors to enjoy. The urban design provides a nearly five-fold increase in urban greening compared to the existing building and plaza, and an improvement in Biodiversity Net Gain of over 500 percent.

An Enhanced Public Realm

The scheme offers an enhanced public realm at the base of the building with biodiverse landscaping, and, notably, a 12.5 x 7 m public screen facing St Helen’s Square which will display information and entertainment for the public, including productions, concerts, talks, and sporting fixtures, and a temporary stage for various cultural and community performances and productions. The square will also feature increased seating set within a grove of trees and planting beds that accommodate flexible uses. A new public square will also be created, Undershaft Square, with forest-inspired landscaping, that provides a quiet space that contrasts with the activity of the surrounding streets.