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City of London: Skyscraper as tall as The Shard planned

DBOX One undershaft mock-upDBOX
The mock-up of One Undershaft is the stepped building behind The Gherkin (artist's impression)

A skyscraper the same height as The Shard is being planned for London.

One Undershaft would reach 74-storeys, according to revised plans submitted to City of London Corporation.

The amended proposals include a new stepped design instead of a previous rectangular shape, with the building initially receiving approval in 2016.

A public consultation has taken place on the proposals, which would see London's highest public viewing gallery at the top of the skyscraper.

Under the new plans, developers want to make the building slightly taller, which would make it the capital's joint-highest building at 309.6m (1015.8ft).

DBOX One undershaft mock-upDBOX
One Undershaft would be the tallest building in the City of London's skyline (artist's impression)

It would be built between the Gherkin and the Cheesegrater buildings, making it the tallest building in the city's financial district, and it would be constructed following demolition of the existing Aviva Tower.

The proposals say it would have an "elevated podium garden" on the 11th floor, restaurants and "flexible cultural spaces". There would also be two floors of "education spaces" curated by the Museum of London.

DBOX One undershaft mock-up with The Shard seen on the other side of the riverDBOX
The skyscraper would be the same height at The Shard

Singapore developer Perennial Group and development manager Stanhope submitted a new planning application, having made changes to reflect the decline in office work following the pandemic.

Eric Parry Architects, who are behind the plans, said they had taken an opportunity to reconsider their approach from earlier proposals in response to feedback.

The proposed tower had been nicknamed The Trellis for the distinct "cross-bracing" pattern on the outside of the building.

DBOX One Undershaft original design proposal (artist's impression)DBOX
The original plans for the tower had seen it nicknamed The Trellis for its distinct "cross-bracing" pattern (artist's impression)

In a statement, the firm said: "The new scheme will still be the tallest in the city cluster and retains the upper floors for educational and public access through a collaboration with the Museum of London.

"The revised proposals will enable us to deliver a more sustainable building with enhanced urban greening."

If the amended plans are approved by the City of London in May, completion of the skyscraper is expected by 2030.

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