London’s newest skyscraper – Pinnacle replacement 22 Bishopsgate – given go-ahead by City of London planners
London's saddest skyscraper may yet be set for a happy ending, after a City of London planning committee gave it the thumbs up.
The building formerly known as the Pinnacle – aka the "Helter Skelter", thanks to its complex, curly design – has stood half-built since 2008, after the sheer cost of the project brought it grinding to a halt as the financial crisis set in.
But after the site, now known as 22 Bishopsgate, was bought by developers Lipton Rogers and Axa Real Estate for £220m in February, they submitted new designs which didn't include the controversial curved glass sections, reported to be priced at £1m per pane of glass.
Last week a City of London planning committee recommended the planning application for approval, saying the new plans "accord with the development plan as a whole… that it would preserve the setting of listed buildings and preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the [local area]".
Today Anne Kavanagh, global head of asset management and transactions at Axa IM, said: “The City of London’s resolution to grant planning permission for 22 Bishopsgate marks a significant step forward in our plans for this exciting new development which will provide a high quality and environmentally friendly working environment for over 12,000 people in the heart of the City of London.
"We are long term investors into the City and are of the firm belief that 22 Bishopsgate will be part of its ongoing success story as an international business location and global city.”
The new tower will "preserve or enhance the local area", planners said (Source: Riverflm Martin Richardson)
Floorplates at the "vertical City" will be 20,000 sq ft or more at most levels, which will give the building 1.3 million sq ft of office space, with another 43,700 sq ft given over to restaurants, bars, retail and a viewing gallery.
It will also include 1,500 bike parking spaces and 100 showers, along with facilities for bike hire, repairs, safety training, spinning classes, and laundry and drying facilities.