City of London planners approve Gracechurch Street office block

The City of London Corporation has approved a 36-storey commercial development at 60 Gracechurch Street, touted as one of the most sustainable and first of a new generation of office buildings.

Applicants Obayashi, who acquired the site in 2023, have put forward design proposals that minimise carbon emissions during both the construction and operation phases. These include avoiding basement excavation and construction, as well as committing to an ambitious energy strategy, with the building to be 100% powered by electricity.

With its striking design, 60 Gracechurch Street will sit on the western edge of the City Cluster, providing over 37,000m² of Grade A office space.

The scheme will also deliver a range of public benefits that the Square Mile’s residents, workers, and visitors can enjoy. In addition to new, sheltered public realm at ground floor level featuring widened pavements improving pedestrian flows around the site, the building will provide a free-to-access, 7 day and evening destination known as the ‘Sanctuary’ space at level 35.

There will also be a public roof garden that is said to offer unique, uninterrupted views, looking out westwards over London from the very edge of the City Cluster.
Chairman of the City of London Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said: “The 60 Gracechurch Street proposals align perfectly with our City Plan, Climate Action Strategy, and Destination City programme, delivering much-needed office space, while simultaneously providing a new visitor and educational attraction, as well as contributing to our net zero goals.”