City skyline revealed after record planning approvals | Construction Enquirer News
Summary
The City of London is set to transform its skyline with record planning approvals, allowing for significant new office space development amidst rising demand for sustainable buildings.
Why It Matters
This article highlights the City of London's robust response to increasing demand for high-quality office space, showcasing its resilience as a global business hub. The planning approvals reflect investor confidence and the city's commitment to sustainability, which is crucial for future urban development.
Key Takeaways
- The City of London received planning approval for over half a million square meters of office space in 2025.
- Record demand for sustainable, amenity-rich office spaces is driving development in the financial district.
- The City is experiencing its busiest planning period in seven years, indicating strong investor confidence.
- Major projects like 1 Undershaft will significantly contribute to the skyline and commercial space.
- The City of London is adapting to changing work patterns and occupier expectations.
The computer-generated images show what the City of London’s financial district will look like from above, once all of the buildings that have either been granted planning permission, or are already under construction are completed following a record year of planning approvals in 2025. The Corporation said 2026 had seen the busiest start to the year for seven years, in terms of planning application submissions and decisions as demand for new, sustainable, Grade A office space increases. Over half a million square metres of office space was granted planning permission in the City in 2025, equivalent to more than ten ‘Gherkins’ with around half of this amount already under construction. It means the Square Mile will remain a hive of building activity in the years ahead, with significant projects such as 1 Undershaft already underway, and with 85 and 60 Gracechurch Street starting imminently, altogether contributing over 200,000 square metres of commercial space, alone. How the skyline looks now Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said: “Record demand for high‑quality, amenity‑rich office space is reinforcing the City’s position as one of the world’s most resilient and attractive business districts, with vacancy in the City Core continuing to fall, prime supply remaining exceptionally tight, and leasing activity reaching its strongest annual performance since 2019. As global capital becomes increasingly selective, the City of London is a place ab...
