Despite plenty of discussion about new working from home practises and suggestions that the demand for office space is dwindling, development plans in London have far from slowed. Yesterday saw plans for the Square Mile’s seventh tower building being approved, bringing a brand-new office building to 115-123 Houndsditch.
The Brockton Everlast construction will total 24 stories which will comprise around 56,500 sq. m. of office space as well as some retail and café space, community space, 981 basement cycle parking spaces and a new public domain. What’s more, the structure will be designed for longevity with a focus on protecting the planet and the people on it.
Green Aesthetics
Designed by architects AHMM, the development plans to bring a touch of greenery to a concrete city. With green walls, landscaped trees and several terraces and balconies for occupants to enjoy, the development is setting standards for the future. Designers will even widen pavements around the site to encourage footfall and enhance Petticoat Lane Market.
Reported by Construction News, ‘AHMM, described the building as a “next-generation” office for the “post-pandemic era”. And, AHMM director and cofounder Simon Allford said, “In re-imagining Cutler Street, we were informed by our love of nature, creating a biophilic tower designed for the 21st-century city.”’
Sustainability Features
Works are expected to begin in 2023 with completion hoping to be in 2025. The structure aims to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating while delivering a LEED ‘Platinum’ and WELL ‘Platinum’ rated programme. These ratings represent the highest level of attainment with respect to complete environmental design and delivers a project with health and wellbeing at its core.
According to a City of London Corporation statement reported in City AM, “The development has a strong focus on sustainability with the proposals aiming to reduce operational carbon emissions by 44%, compared to a Building Regulations compliant building, and reducing whole life carbon emissions.”
It also includes thermal stores to retain heat for use during colder months. It uses a heat exchange scheme to share the excess waste heat, which cannot be stored, with the neighbouring Middlesex Street Estate.
Workspaces
As for the workspaces themselves, they too are designed with modern ways of working in mind. As with serviced offices, they will be flexible and adaptable, accommodating all different fields of business. The offices will be designed to support businesses including start-ups and SMEs while incubator space will also be available. These incubator spaces will sit on the 1st and 2nd floors of the building alongside 23 desks for maximum convenience.
Approval for this innovative and exciting new structure brings hope for not only the future of our planet but the future of our physical, social and irreplaceable workspaces too.
Talking to Cityoflondon.gov, Chair of the City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Alastair Moss, said, “115-123 Houndsditch is the seventh office-led tall building scheme to secure planning permission in the Square Mile this calendar year. This clearly illustrates the enduring strength of the office market in the City of London and unwavering confidence from developers.”
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