The City of London Corporation has given the go-ahead for the construction of a 74-story office tower that will match the height of The Shard, currently the tallest building in the United Kingdom and Western Europe.
Report informs, citing Financial Times, that the skyscraper, named 1 Undershaft, faced initial opposition from "neighbors," including Bruce Carnegie-Brown, chairman of the Lloyd's of London insurance market. They argued that the new building would occupy St. Helen's Square, "depriving the City of a very important gathering space." In response, the project's investor, Aroland Holdings, and developer, Stanhope, reduced the size of the ground floor to preserve most of the square at the tower's base.
Standing at an impressive 309.6 meters</b>, 1 Undershaft will precisely match the height of The Shard, which has held the title of Britain's tallest skyscraper since 2012. The Shard, an iconic addition to London's skyline, stands on the opposite bank of the River Thames.
Construction of 1 Undershaft is expected to be completed around 2030.