CO-RE, the London development manager has received planning consent for a landmark 660,000 sq ft high-rise office project in London’s developing Fleet Street area. The City of London Corporation earlier accepted the plans for the modern stepped 21-storey office development and rejuvenation of the Old Daily Express newspaper headquarters at 120 Fleet Street.
The new building, which is being developed from the famous newspaper street level elevation, will lay down a new height precedent in the region, which is undergoing large scale redevelopment. On the opposite side of Fleet Street arrangements are advancing for a £300m scheme to construct a major court and police complex, dubbed The Salisbury Square Development, expected to commence construction next year. The 660,000 sq ft high-rise office project designed by architect Bjarke Ingels Group ticks all the planning boxes for public access, green space and upgraded post-pandemic office environments for workers.
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Innovative Cycle House at the Old Daily Express newspaper headquarters
The main new office development, upper floors will have a flight of south-facing landscaped terraces for office workers. The art deco Daily Express structure will also be transformed into a publicly accessible cultural centre with social and educational outreach. The scheme will also comprise an innovative ‘Cycle House’ with 85 short stay and 149 long stay café and cycle parks.
David Hutton, the director at CO-RE, , stated: “The approval news are vital for central London’s office market generally and more categorically for occupiers looking for the best offices for their employees in terms of active travel, sustainability, health and wellbeing. The Daily Express structure will be a precisely public area on a number of potential cultural opportunities and its new roof garden will offer breath-taking views of St Brides, St Paul’s and more.” Demolition work on a 46-week programme is set to start in the New Year with basement works commencing just before the end of 2022 with the 660,000 sq ft high-rise office project completing in April 2025.
