More than 6,000 people will work in “Cheesegrater 2” after planning bosses rubberstamped a new addition to the City skyline.
Lai Sun Development Company has been granted permission to begin work on what will soon become the Square Mile’s third-tallest building at the site of 100 Leadenhall Street.
The skyscraper, which will reach 56-storeys upon completion, is one of seven new builds scheduled to open in the Eastern Cluster by 2026.
Chris Hayward, planning and transportation committee chairman, said the project, like similar ongoing developments, was given the green light to help prepare the City for the significant growth expected with the arrival of the Elizabeth line later this year.
“Leading to a church dating back to the 12th century, this development demonstrates the City’s distinctive ability to house the old and new side by side, while becoming more accessible to creative workers and members of the public,” he said.
“More than ever we are seeing businesses make location decisions based on the quality of built environment and public realm that they can offer their employees.
“Today’s committee decision will boost confidence and international talent in the City of London.”
100 Leadenhall will `provide 102,000 square metres of office accommodation, as well as basement showers, cycle parking, ground-floor retail space, two podium terraces, and a public viewing gallery on the top two floors, served by dedicated lifts.
The first level of the viewing gallery will provide a 360-degree panoramic, while the top floor will offer views to the south, hosting up to 360 guests at a time. Outside of public viewing gallery hours, the levels will be used as a restaurant and bar.
Hoping to allay fears of over urbanisation the City Corporation has launched a consultation on how to make the ever-growing Eastern Cluster more people friendly.
Proposals include increased pedestrian priority across the area, incorporating St Mary Axe and Leadenhall Street and additional ‘greening’ through the planting of trees and the introduction of ‘pocket parks’.
Also mooted is an ambitious cultural programme featuring pop-up events, art and music, and flexible spaces that support changing working patterns, including the deployment of ‘smart benches’ which feature mobile charging facilities.
