Record year of planning approvals will transform City skyline

The City of London Corporation has revealed a new ‘City Skyline CGI’ showcasing what the Square Mile’s tall buildings cluster will look like in around six years’ time, reflecting a record year of planning approvals in 2025.

Despite industry headwinds, over half a million square metres of office space was granted planning permission in the City last year, with around half of this amount already under construction.

It means the Square Mile will remain a hive of building activity in the years ahead, with significant projects such as 1 Undershaft already underway, and with 85 and 60 Gracechurch Street starting imminently, these projects combined will contribute to over 200,000m² of commercial space.

With 30 major commercial schemes currently under construction and demand for high quality workspace continuing to outstrip supply, the City is said to be entering the next phase of growth from a position of strength. New development activity is reflecting both long term confidence in London’s role as a global financial and professional services centre, and growing demand for sustainable, Grade A office space from international occupiers.

Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said: “Record demand for high quality, amenity rich office space is reinforcing the City’s position as one of the world’s most resilient and attractive business districts, with vacancy in the City Core continuing to fall, prime supply remaining exceptionally tight, and leasing activity reaching its strongest annual performance since 2019.

“As global capital becomes increasingly selective, the City of London is a place able to deliver complex schemes at scale while adapting to changing patterns of work and occupier expectations.”