New Skyscrapers Approved in the City: Jobs, Roman Ruins and Public Parks on the Horizon
Two landmark towers at the heart of the St Mary’s Axe and Gracechurch Street developments have received planning permission, paving the way for more than 110,000 square metres of Grade A office space, new public walkways, immersive heritage attractions and over 6,500 jobs in London’s financial district.
Approved by the City of London Corporation’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee, the schemes, a 45-storey building at 63 St Mary’s Axe and a 32-storey tower at 85 Gracechurch Street, form part of the City’s growing “Eastern Cluster” of tall buildings. The developments are being hailed as a cornerstone of the City Corporation’s Destination City strategy, which aims to make the Square Mile a seven-day-a-week destination for workers, visitors and residents alike.
Public access, Roman ruins, and green spaces
Beyond their scale and skyline impact, both towers promise something more unusual: permanent public access to archaeological discoveries and green spaces. At 85 Gracechurch Street, recent excavations revealed surviving sections of a first-century Roman Forum-Basilica, one of the most important finds in recent City history. A public exhibition space showcasing the site will now form part of the development, allowing visitors to engage with the origins of Roman London.
Over at 63 St Mary’s Axe, planners have incorporated a preserved section of the London Wall into a newly designed Camomile Park, a pedestrian-friendly green space with elevated walkways, 76 new trees, and public routes designed to open up and soften the high-rise environment. The site will also house flexible retail and cultural units on its lower floors, supporting local activity beyond traditional office hours.
A cultural and commercial reset
The St Mary’s Axe and Gracechurch Street developments will contribute significantly to the City’s post-pandemic regeneration, not just in terms of office capacity but also in enhancing the cultural, retail and hospitality fabric of the area. The City Corporation has worked closely with heritage experts to ensure the new architecture respects protected views of the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral, while modernising the visitor experience.
The 45-storey 63 St Mary’s Axe tower alone will deliver over 85,000 square metres of new office space, meeting 4.2% of the City’s projected office needs. The 85 Gracechurch Street project, redesigned after the Roman discovery, will add 34,000 square metres of workspace, along with a fifth-floor public terrace, event spaces and improvements to nearby Leadenhall Market.
A historic pedestrian route between Gracechurch Street and Lime Street Passage is also being reinstated as part of the plan, offering a further nod to the area’s medieval street grid and connecting the past with the present.
Leadership comments
Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee, Tom Sleigh, called the projects “standout schemes” and praised their contribution to the City’s long-term vision.
“Every new building must earn its place in the Square Mile, and these do just that. At 85 Gracechurch, we’re bringing people closer than ever to Roman London, while 63 St Mary’s Axe will open up elevated green walkways and deliver a new way to move through and enjoy the City.”
He added that the towers would “cement the City’s status as the engine room of the UK economy.”
The full planning documents and architectural details for both schemes can be accessed via the City of London Corporation’s planning portal.
At EyeOnLondon City, we follow the evolving story of the Square Mile – from ancient Roman discoveries to today’s skyline transformations. Stay with us as we continue to share the most significant developments shaping the heart of London.
[Feature Image Credit | Fletcher Priest Architects]
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