City of London

Building magazine reports that Eric Parry’s new vision for the City of London’s tallest building is likely to be approved next week despite a series of scalding objections from heritage groups to the 74-storey tower’s design. City planning officers have recommended the 1 Undershaft scheme for approval ahead of a planning committee meeting on 2 July with the 309m tall scheme set to become the UK’s joint tallest building with the Shard if it gets the go ahead. The plans, designed for developer Stanhope, would then be sent to the mayor of London and finally to the secretary of state for final sign off if City councillors vote in favour.

City AM reports that The City of London’s Sky Garden has become one of the world’s most ticketed destinations. The Sky Garden, located at the top of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ building at 20 Fenchurch Street, was completed in 2014 and has since welcomed 11m visitors, with 1m being over the past year. It comes as new roof terraces and viewing points continue to bring footfall to the Square Mile. The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate and Horizon 22 at Bishopsgate are the most recent additions. They have welcomed nearly 0.5m people in less than a year.

City AM reports that one of the UK’s most well-known co-working office spaces, Huckletree, is set to open its doors in the heart of the Square Mile this fall as it looks to further expand its “dynamic ecosystem”. Huckletree, which was founded in 2014, is set to unveil its 11th location at 8 Bishopsgate this fall in what is seen as its latest expansion efforts. The innovation-focused co-working hub currently has eight locations across London and one each in Dublin and Manchester. Gabriela Hersham, the founder of Huckletree, said the opening will further unlock its offerings, which include access to office spaces, tailored support and events, to “even more” entrepreneurs and businesses in the heart of the City.

City of Westminster

Building magazine reports that AHMM has submitted plans to partially demolish and replace the last remaining large office building in the upmarket west London neighbourhood of Knightsbridge. Proposals drawn up for developer Berkeley Estate Asset Management (BERM) would redevelop One Knightsbridge Green, a 1950s modernist office block close to world famous department store Harrods.

Tower Hamlets

East London Advertiser reports that a planning application has been submitted for the £800million regeneration of Poplar’s Teviot housing estate.  It follows a referendum by the families five years ago which voted to reboot the neighbourhood from scratch. The families held a series of design workshops with developers two years later for a masterplan that went to City Hall for funding, which would quadruple the households from 535 to 2,400 — but later trimmed to 1,900. The referendum gave Poplar Harca housing association the go-ahead to commission architects with a scheme that is now going before Tower Hamlets Council for planning approval to transform the post-war 1950s housing estate.

Wandsworth

UK Property Forums reports that Trentworth Properties has resubmitted Ransome’s Wharf plans to Wandsworth Council in June 2024. In 2015, planning permission was granted for the delivery of high-quality, private, and affordable apartments, flexible commercial space, and significant public realm improvements, bringing the now vacant site back into use. The scheme was implemented in 2018. Before commencing work, Trentworth is making some minor design amendments to respond to recent changes in the National Building Regulations and sustainability policies, which require planning consent.