London’s skyline set to change after ‘undesirable’ 54-storey skyscraper is approved

A new 54-storey skyscraper is set to change London’s skyline as planning permission for the ‘undesirable’ building is approved.

The new landmark 99 Bishopsgate building, which will be built by Liverpool Street Station, will bring in nearly 100,000 square metres of office space.

Many have objected to the erection of the building, including the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Rowan William.

He said the Grade I listed church St Ethelburga’s Centre would suffer from loss of natural light and building works would become disruptive making it a ‘wholly undesirable move’.

But City of London Corporation officers said the benefits of the building outweigh the concerns raised.

Dan Scanlon, President at Brookfield Properties, said 99 Bishopsgate building would be ‘transformational’ for London.

He argued the building would bring in more than £40 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) payments.

The Skyscraper is the latest addition to a long list of iconic buildings in the City, including Natwest Tower, The Gherkin and Heron Tower. 

1 Undershaft will sit at 309.6 metres, becoming the highest occupied public floor height in the UK.

It will sit between the Gherkin and the Cheesegrater buildings, making it the tallest building in the City and one of the tallest in Europe. 

The tower is set to be so tall that the Civil Aviation Authority had to request it to be lowered to avoid intruding on flight paths from London City Airport.

Architects said they also included a free public viewing gallery and a restaurant for visitors.

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