Plans for a new 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street in the City of London have been approved by the City of London Corporation’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee. Designed by WilkinsonEyre and backed by Aviva Investors, the project will see the demolition of the existing 1958 Fountain House, one of London’s earliest podium and tower blocks. The new development aims to replace this dated structure with approximately 57,500 square metres of high-quality, energy-efficient office space, responding to the growing demand for premium offices in the City.

WilkinsonEyre’s design is described as ‘jewel-like,’ crafted to preserve significant sightlines to historic landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. The new tower will feature a distinctive large panel-style façade and a ‘crown’ intended to add visual interest to the City skyline. Aviva Investors, who took over the project five years ago, highlighted the outdated operational and energy performance of the existing building as a key motivation for redevelopment.

The development will also prioritise public amenities and sustainability. The ground floor is set to include 300 square metres of publicly accessible space with food and beverage units and a new pedestrian route connecting Cullum Street to Fen Court. Additionally, a garden terrace on the 20th floor will be open to the public seven days a week, enhancing the building’s cultural offering. Public terraces and cultural spaces will be incorporated at mid-levels, while biodiversity improvements across the site are planned to reinforce environmental goals.

Aviva Investors emphasised that the project aims for ‘industry-leading standards for sustainability and supporting occupier wellbeing.’ The involvement of developer CO-RE will support realising this vision, overseeing the scheme that aligns with broader City ambitions to create a greener, denser, and more dynamic Square Mile. This tower is one part of a wider strategic effort to meet the City’s target of adding 1.2 million square metres of office space by 2040.

Ben Littman, head of real estate development at Aviva Investors, characterised Fenchurch Street as a ‘dynamic’ district, signalling the new building as a revitalising force in what he called a ‘tired, inefficient and outdated asset.’ Tom Sleigh, chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, praised the project for capturing the City’s growth ambitions by delivering a striking new workplace that opens up routes and views to the public, framing it as a crucial piece in the City’s future-ready transformation.

The approval followed initial plans secured by Farshid Moussavi Architecture in 2015 for a 17-storey scheme, which Aviva ultimately chose not to pursue. That earlier proposal featured a fluted glass curtain wall but was superseded by WilkinsonEyre’s more ambitious vision. Demolition of Fountain House is scheduled to begin next year, with completion of the new tower expected by 2030.

While some reports mentioned a 34-storey proposal, the approved plan stands at 31 storeys. The development promises some of the finest office accommodation in London, featuring public viewing galleries, cultural spaces, retail, and hospitality units, bolstering the area's appeal and meeting the critical shortage of high-standard office space. Vacancy rates in new City office buildings have reportedly fallen to just 0.5%, underscoring the pressing demand that this project aims to address.

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Source: Noah Wire Services