Pro Installer February 2017 - Issue 47 | Page 8

8

PRO NEWS

FEBRUARY 2017 PRO INSTALLER
www . proinstaller . co . uk

THE SHARD NOW HAS COMPETITION

The City of London Corporation has granted planning permission to Aroland Holdings for a development set to be the second tallest building in western Europe after the Shard .
The structure will be at 1 Undershaft in the City of London and will have a total height of 304.94 metres . It was approved at the City of London Corporation ’ s planning and transportation committee following a vote of 19-2 to approve the project which will involve the demolition of the existing Aviva Tower , followed by the development of a 73-storey building .
1 Undershaft , the tallest building in the Square Mile , will provide 130,000 square metres of office accommodation , as well as more than 2,000 square metres of retail space . An estimated 10,000 workers will work in the building upon completion . At the top of the building will be a free public viewing gallery , which will be served by dedicated lifts . The public viewing gallery will host London ’ s highest restaurant and
have interactive learning spaces where schools and other groups can discover more about the capital , its growth and history . The Museum of London has had discussions with the developer over a dedicated gallery at the top of the building , using 1 Undershaft ’ s height to show London ’ s development . At the base of 1 Undershaft , a new larger public square will be created . The building has an elevated reception , allowing pedestrians
to walk freely beneath the building , and the project includes over 1,600 cycle spaces and 150 showers with changing rooms . Chris Hayward , chairman of the City of London Corporation ’ s planning and transportation committee , said : “ Over the next 30 years I expect that we will need to deliver office space for more than 50,000 extra workers within the Square Mile , and this development is important in reaching that end goal .
“ This development shows the high levels of investor confidence in London ’ s status as a global city following our decision to leave the European Union . “ I believe this building will play an important part in increasing London ’ s attraction as the world ’ s leading financial centre .”
See www . cityoflondon . gov . uk for more details .