Details of two major projects have been announced by the City of London Corporation shortly after it launched its Destination City programme to build a seven-day-a-week leisure destination for UK and international visitors, workers, and residents.
As part of that vision, the Planning Applications Sub-Committee has approved planning permission for the 55 Bishopsgate scheme. This news came shortly after it was announced that the City of London Corporation had agreed £25m in funding to start the first phase of the Barbican Renewal Programme, which will reinvigorate the internationally renowned arts venue.
The Bishopsgate scheme comprises two mixed-use buildings, one 63-storey and one 22-storey, that will feature a free-to-visit public rooftop, with a biodiverse climate resilient garden for relaxation, events and educational opportunities. The scheme will also feature an external platform at the summit, offering 360-degree views of London for everyone to enjoy.
The development would be a distinct, sustainable and elegant architectural addition to the consolidation of the City Cluster on the London skyline delivering 103,000 square metres of much-needed office space. This will provide 14% of the projected office demand required for the Square Mile up to 2036, including co-working and affordable workspace.
The buildings would be open at ground level providing 2,545 square metres of new public realm, flowing through to the wider Bishopsgate area. The space will be open 24 hours, seven days a week, creating a welcoming and inclusive space, with opportunities to support events and pop-ups, digital screens and art installations and landscaping.
Further public cultural spaces are proposed at the second and third floors, including an auditorium and meeting spaces, developed in conjunction with New London Architecture, to provide a new permanent home for the London Centre.
At 284 meters tall, 55 Bishopsgate will become the third tallest tower in the Square Mile, behind the 1 Undershaft scheme (305 metres) and 22 Bishopsgate (295 metres). 55 Bishopsgate will also become an exemplar of the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, with urban greening features and high-efficiency renewable energy technologies, integrated into the design. The proposals also support active travel and include 1,400 long-stay cycle spaces, over 120 spaces for short-stay car parking.
Chairman of the City of London Corporation Planning and Transport Committee, Shravan Joshi, said:
“I am delighted to see the 55 Bishopsgate scheme granted planning permission which sets a high bar for others to follow. The free, public viewing gallery and external platform will deliver an exciting and inclusive resource for all to enjoy, bringing us closer to our Destination City vision to transform the Square Mile into a seven-day-a-week visitor destination.
“Decisions like these also cement the City’s position as the world’s leading international financial and business centre. The site is central to the City’s growth modelling and will make a huge contribution to the office space needed to meet projected economic and employment growth demand.”
Demolition of the existing site and subsequent construction works at 55 Bishopsgate are expected to begin in 2024 and complete in 2029.
The Barbican Renewal Programme, meanwhile, will develop elements of a long-term masterplan, undertake further consultation, and deliver early systems and infrastructure work to boost the arts centre’s operational and environmental performance over the next two years.
The programme will transform underused spaces within the centre for new creative use, whilst also investing in its existing venues and public spaces, and improving the welcome, wayfinding and technical capabilities at the site.
Recognised globally as an icon of Brutalist style, the Barbican Centre is one of the UK’s greatest post-war buildings, attracting almost two million visitors annually. It showcases the most exciting performers and artists in music, theatre, dance, the visual arts, and cinema, as well as supporting emerging talent, shaping opportunities that will accelerate the next generation of creatives. The City Corporation is the Barbican Centre’s founder and principal funder.
Major improvements will be made to the building’s environmental performance under the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, which commits it to achieving net zero carbon status in its own operations by 2027.
The project will sensitively preserve the complex, respecting its Grade II listed status, and the original architectural vision of the arts centre, which is now more than 40 years old.
Since the appointment of an award-winning design team in 2022 – led by Allies and Morrison, Asif Khan Studio and Buro Happold – the Barbican Renewal Programme team has been consulting widely to understand what audiences, artists, local communities, and the wider public want from the scheme.
City Corporation Policy Chairman Chris Hayward said:
“A world-renowned arts and learning organisation, the Barbican Centre showcases the most exciting performers and artists from around the world. It is a cultural cornerstone of our Destination City programme, enhancing our already unrivalled arts and culture offer, and elevating our attractiveness as a global visitor destination.”
Chair of the City Corporation’s Barbican Centre Board Tom Sleigh said:
“The Barbican is creatively buzzing and enthralling audiences as it contributes to the cultural and economic life of the City, the capital and beyond.
“This initial investment, as part of the larger renewal project, will start to reshape the arts centre to enable it to continue to deliver unforgettable experiences to millions. The Board recognises the need to care for this world-famous listed asset, and sympathetically intervene in the built environment, making it more open, inclusive and sustainable.”
Claire Spencer, Chief Executive Officer at the Barbican Centre said:
“We are delighted with this vote of confidence in the Barbican Renewal Programme from the City Corporation. Our role is to spark creative possibilities and transformation for artists, audiences, and communities – to inspire, connect and provoke debate. Fundamental to this is the renewal of our brilliant Barbican building.
“We now have a great opportunity to conserve the extraordinary architectural heritage of the Barbican, while reconsidering what an arts centre can and should be in 21st century, and making sure we are open and welcoming to all. I am looking forward to continuing to work with our accomplished design team, current and future users of our building, and the community to address the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.”
The Barbican Renewal Programme will ensure that the Barbican Centre maintains its status as London’s creative catalyst for arts, curiosity and enterprise – an internationally significant cultural and events venue rooted in its community.
Following the £25m funding from the City Corporation the Barbican Centre will be seeking a range of additional funding sources for subsequent phases of the programme.
The City Corporation is the fourth largest funder of heritage and cultural activities in the UK and invests over £130m every year. The organisation manages a range of world-class cultural and heritage institutions, including the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Guildhall Art Gallery, London Metropolitan Archives and Keats House. It also supports the London Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of London.
Find out more at The City of London Corporation website www.news.cityoflondon.gov.uk