Property developer Brockton Everlast has received planning approval for the ‘greened’ 24-storey office building in London’s Square Mile. It is the seventh major office project this year to gain planning in the City, underlying increasing momentum for a new wave of major building schemes post-pandemic. Brockton Everlast revealed that the 720,000 sq ft development, designed by architect AHMM to offer exemplary green credentials, will comprise a total investment of more than £320m.
Alastair Moss, the City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee chairman stated: “115-123 Houndsditch becomes the seventh office-led tall building project to secure planning approval in the Square Mile this calendar year. “The 24-storey office building is not only an unprecedented number of great developments to come for decision, but it also significantly illustrates the enduring strength of the office market in the City of London and much confidence from developers.” Clearing of the existing Houndsditch structure and archaeological investigation will take like a year, with construction then set to take three and a half years, providing jobs to around 660 workers on average during the construction.
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Carbon emmission on the Brockton Everlast 24-storey office building
The 24-storey office building design aims to reduce operational carbon emissions by 44%, in comparison to a Building Regulations compliant building. It will include thermal stores to retain heat for use during colder seasons with a heat exchange scheme to distribute the excess waste heat, which can’t be stored, with the nearby Middlesex Street Estate.
The development also incorporates urban greening features including green walls, landscaped terraces and balconies for office workers.
Consultant Atelier 10 is examining the potential for recycling the old building’s steelwork frame and refining clean concrete back to aggregate for concrete construction. Delivery of a LEED ‘Platinum’ and WELL ‘Platinum’ rated project which symbolises the highest level of attainment with respect to holistic environmental design and carries out a scheme with health and wellbeing at its core. Richard Berry, the Brockton Everlast development director stated: “The 24-storey office building scheme from the start has been designed with a relentless focus on carbon reduction. We tasked the architects to develop an exceptional and sustainable design, that delivers a massively improved operational carbon footprint as part of the goal to future-proof the building for the next generation of net-zero occupiers.”
