1 Undershaft

File:1_Undershaft,_City_of_London.png]]

In January 2015, early plans emerged of a replacement office building for the St Helen's tower in Undershaft within London's Square Mile.{{cite web |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |url=http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2015/01/16/design-unveiled-for-city-of-londons-tallest-skyscraper |title=Design unveiled for City of London's tallest skyscraper |work=Construction Enquirer |date=16 January 2015 |access-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324084422/http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2015/01/16/design-unveiled-for-city-of-londons-tallest-skyscraper/ |archive-date=24 March 2015 |url-status=live }} The proposal, named 1 Undershaft, was designed by Avery Associates; who began working on the scheme in collaboration with the then-owner of the site, Simon Halabi, in 2010.{{cite web|last1=Stott|first1=Rory|url=http://www.archdaily.com/589330/avery-associates-reveals-design-for-270-metre-tower-next-to-london-s-cheesegrater/ |title=Avery Associates Reveals Design for 270-Metre Tower Next to London's Cheesegrater |work=ArchDaily |date=20 January 2015| access-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150302102938/http://www.archdaily.com/589330/avery-associates-reveals-design-for-270-metre-tower-next-to-london-s-cheesegrater/ |archive-date=2 March 2015 |url-status=live }} At {{convert|270|m|abbr=on}}, it would have become the third-tallest building in London and the United Kingdom, behind The Shard and 22 Bishopsgate.{{cite web|title=Skyscraper Center - London|url=http://skyscrapercenter.com/city/london|website=The Skyscraper Center|access-date=8 October 2015}}

In July 2015, details of a revised scheme by the new owners of the site, Aroland Holdings, were reported. The plans were for a skyscraper of {{convert|304|m|abbr=on}} designed by Eric Parry Architects.{{cite web|last1=Edmonds|first1=Lizzie|title=Plans for skyscraper to rival the Shard to be submitted to City of London|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/plans-for-skyscraper-to-rival-the-shard-submitted-to-city-of-london-10368069.html|website=Evening Standard|date=6 July 2015| access-date=10 July 2015}} According to some reports, the design could be "modelled on Cleopatra's Needle".{{cite web|last1=Wainwright|first1=Oliver|title=22 Bishopsgate – and the steroidal towers set to ruin London's skyline|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/jun/30/22-bishopgate-skyscraper-london-skyline-development|website=The Guardian|date=30 June 2015|access-date=12 July 2015}}

In December 2015, the new design was released for a tower of {{convert|294.6|m|abbr=on}} with 73 floors.{{cite web|last1=Tucker|first1=Emma|title=Eric Parry Architects unveils tallest tower in City of London|url=http://www.dezeen.com/2015/12/07/eric-parry-architects-1-undershaft-development-skyscraper-tallest-tower-city-london-financial-district/|website=Dezeen|date=7 December 2015|access-date=7 December 2015}}{{cite web|title=No. 1 Undershaft at The Skyscraper Center|url=http://skyscrapercenter.com/building/no1-undershaft/19785|website=The Skyscraper Center|access-date=7 December 2015}} Subject to planning permission, it was set to become the tallest building in the Square Mile when completed and the second-tallest building in London and the United Kingdom, behind The Shard. A consultation process took place in autumn 2015. On 8 February 2016, a planning application was submitted for the development,{{cite web|last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Plans for City of London's tallest building submitted |url=http://www.propertyweek.com/plans-for-city-of-londons-tallest-building-submitted/5079124.article |website=Property Week |date=8 February 2016| access-date=9 February 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826053050/http://www.propertyweek.com/plans-for-city-of-londons-tallest-building-submitted/5079124.article |archive-date=26 August 2016 }} with a decision expected to be made in September 2016.{{cite web|last1=Bevan|first1=Robert|title=The Shaft will rival the {{sic|hide=y|reason=double 'the' error in source title}} The Shard for coolest skyscraper in London|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/design/how-eric-parrys-1-undershaft-will-rival-the-the-shard-for-coolest-skyscraper-in-london-a3301016.html|website=Evening Standard|date=21 July 2016|access-date=23 July 2016}}

File:St. Helen's - St. Mary Axe- 2011-05-04.jpg tower, pictured above]]

However, a revised planning application was submitted by the developer which reduced the proposed height by {{convert|4.66|m|abbr=on}} to {{convert|289.9|m|abbr=on}}, due to possible interference with the flight paths of the nearby London City Airport. Each floor was reduced in height by 50 mm and structural floor beam depths were changed. In addition, the level of the soffit was decreased and the viewing gallery height reduced, which was intended to be double height. Despite its height reduction, the proposed height will still make 1 Undershaft the second-tallest building in London and the United Kingdom upon completion.{{cite web|last1=Waite|first1=Richard|title=Eric Parry reduces height of tallest tower in City|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/eric-parry-reduces-height-of-tallest-tower-in-city/10012387.article|website=Architects' Journal|date=3 October 2016|access-date=3 October 2016}}

Following a recommendation by planning officers for approval, the scheme was approved by the City of London Corporation on 28 November 2016, with 19 votes in support and two against; final approval was given by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on 12 December 2016.{{cite web|last1=Lynch|first1=Russell|title=Square Mile's tallest tower dubbed the "Trellis", set for thumbs-up|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/square-mile-s-tallest-tower-dubbed-the-trellis-set-for-thumbsup-a3400766.html|website=Evening Standard|access-date=21 November 2016|date=21 November 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Bourke|first1=Joanna|title=Plans to build City of London's tallest skyscraper given green light|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/the-trellis-skyscraper-gets-the-green-light-in-london-a3406681.html|website=Evening Standard|access-date=28 November 2016|date=28 November 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Prynn|first1=Jonathan|title=Sadiq Khan gives backing for City's two tallest towers to be built|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/sadiq-khan-gives-green-light-for-two-tallest-buildings-in-the-city-to-be-built-a3418826.html|access-date=27 April 2017|work=Evening Standard|date=13 December 2016}} The start date for construction of the scheme has not yet been decided, but building work is expected to be finished anywhere between six and 10 years from its approval date,{{cite web|last1=Sullivan|first1=Connor|title=City of London approves 73-storey skyscraper to rival Shard|url=https://www.ft.com/content/20dfcf82-b2f4-11e6-9c37-5787335499a0|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129024042/https://www.ft.com/content/20dfcf82-b2f4-11e6-9c37-5787335499a0 |date=28 November 2016|archive-date=29 November 2016 |access-date=28 November 2016|website=Financial Times}} with demolition firm Keltbray the demolition of the St Helen's building currently on the site expected to take 18 months and construction of 1 Undershaft due to take between three and four years.{{cite web|last1=Bury|first1=Rhiannon|title=1 Undershaft, the tallest tower in the City of London, gets the green light|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/11/28/1-undershaft-tallest-tower-city-london-gets-green-light/|website=The Telegraph|date=28 November 2016|access-date=28 November 2016}}

File:Proposed_design_of_1_Undershaft,_London.jpg.]]

The second design's proposed skyscraper is rectangular in shape and slightly tapers as it gets higher. Developer Aroland Holdings, a British Virgin Islands entity of undisclosed ultimate ownership, originally wanted 1 Undershaft to be taller than the proposed height. However, the height has been limited by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to avoid intruding on flight paths. In addition, the building's crown, which was intended to resemble Cleopatra's Needle, was not accepted by City planners who wanted "a less demonstrative top. They didn't want another overt shape".{{cite web|last1=Wainwright|first1=Oliver|title=1 Undershaft, the tallest skyscraper in the City of London, revealed|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/dec/07/1-undershaft-tallest-skyscraper-city-of-london-eric-parry|website=The Guardian|date=7 December 2015|access-date=7 December 2015}}

The tower is designed to be built {{convert|10.5|m|abbr=on}} off the ground in order to create public space underneath the building. To make room for the public space, the core will need to be positioned to the side of the tower. As a result, bronze-coloured diamond-shaped external cross-bracing will be required, giving the building its nickname The Trellis.{{cite web|last1=Heathcote|first1=Edwin|title=City of London's tallest building rises above corporate interests|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5eaa0532-9c0a-11e5-8ce1-f6219b685d74,Authorised=false.html?siteedition=uk&_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F5eaa0532-9c0a-11e5-8ce1-f6219b685d74.html%3Fsiteedition%3Duk&_i_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2Fd41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e&classification=conditional_standard&iab=barrier-app#axzz3tcRQ347K|website=Financial Times|date=7 December 2015|access-date=7 December 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Morby |first1=Aaron |date=21 November 2016 |title=London's second tallest tower set for approval |url=http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2016/11/21/londons-second-tallest-tower-set-for-approval/ |access-date=28 November 2016 |website=Construction Enquirer}}

A public square is also part of the proposed scheme, with {{convert|2178|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}} of retail space below ground level.{{cite web |first1=Richard |last1=Waite |first2=Ella |last2=Braidwood |title=Thumbs up for tallest tower in City|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/thumbs-up-for-tallest-tower-in-city/10015213.article|website=Architects' Journal|date=28 November 2016|access-date=29 November 2016}} The top of the skyscraper is set to have London's highest viewing gallery free for public access (which could include a museum run by the Museum of London),{{cite web|last1=Haslett|first1=Emma|title=Could a new City skyscraper host London's highest museum?|url=http://www.cityam.com/242452/could-new-city-skyscraper-1-undershaft-host-londons-highest-museum|website=City AM|access-date=24 November 2016|date=2 June 2016}} and a restaurant.

In 2017, a bogus bond financing scheme supposedly funding the construction of 1 Undershaft was launched in the United Kingdom. A £30 million tranche of 9-year bonds was issued by Trade Mark International Limited, a Cayman Islands-registered limited company. An accompanying website, www.trademarktint.com, was registered by Paul Mantoura.

A number of investors subscribed for the bonds, yielding 10% per annum coupons and a capital guarantee at maturity, through Paul Mantoura and his Platinum Associates firm in Brazil. However, when investors stopped receiving communications in 2020, Intel Suisse, a financial investigation specialist firm, was called in and discovered the fraud: Trade Mark International never existed. The webhost firm confirmed Paul Mantoura's ownership of the website, which he acquired in 2017 and is now offline.{{cite web|last1=Yan LaSur|first1=Lee|title=Investors in South & Latin America targeted in major UK property scam|url=https://www.stvincenttimes.com/investors-in-south-latin-america-targeted-in-major-uk-property-scam/|website=St. Vincent Times|access-date=1 April 2023|date=7 July 2023}}

In August 2023, Eric Parry Architects revealed a substantially revised design for 1 Undershaft, prompted by changes to working habits following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to improve the building's sustainability credentials. In place of the previous cross-braced and tapered tower, this redesign proposes a tower segmented into four vertical blocks, increasing the usable floor area by 30%. At 294m, the building will be the tallest in the City and second tallest in London as a whole.

A public roof garden on the 10th floor has been added, extending over a curved canopy above the corner of Leadenhall Street and St Mary Axe; several winter gardens up to approximately 1,530 m², external office terrace spaces up to 1,370 m², and around 110,000 m² of workspace, up from the second design's 90,000 m². The public viewing gallery, shared with the Museum of London, remains part of the proposals.

• List of tallest buildings and structures in London
• List of tallest buildings in the United Kingdom

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.avery-architects.co.uk/ Avery Associates website]
• [https://www.ericparryarchitects.co.uk/ Eric Parry Architects website]

Category:Buildings and structures in the City of London

Category:Proposed skyscrapers in London

Category:Redevelopment projects in London