The City of London Corporation has granted planning permission for two major office tower projects at 85 Gracechurch Street and 63 St Mary Axe, balancing new commercial development with the preservation and public display of 1st-century Roman ruins uncovered during construction.
The City of London Corporation has granted planning permission for two significant office tower developments in the Square Mile, marking a notable expansion of the area’s high-rise cluster. One of these towers, located at 85 Gracechurch Street, underwent crucial design revisions after the discovery of ancient Roman ruins on the site, shedding new light on the city’s rich historical layers.
Originally proposed as a 32-storey tower by Woods Bagot for the Hershten Group, the scheme at 85 Gracechurch Street was revised following archaeological investigations by the Museum of London Archaeology. These investigations uncovered foundations and walls from a 1st-century Roman basilica, featuring materials such as flint, ragstone, and Roman tile. This significant find, part of the civic centre of ancient Londinium, prompted a reduction in the tower's height to 30 storeys to preserve the site. The updated design now integrates a public exhibition space in the basement to permanently display the ruins, alongside enhanced public amenities including a new hall, retail units, event spaces, and a fifth-floor heritage garden that offers views over nearby Leadenhall Market. City planners have welcomed the project, highlighting its potential to rejuvenate the market and celebrate the City’s 2,000-year history, despite opposition from Historic England on heritage grounds.
In parallel, Fletcher Priest has secured approval for a 46-storey office tower at 63 St Mary Axe, another prominent addition to London’s skyscraper skyline. Planning officers have recommended the scheme despite objections from Historic England, which expressed concerns about the tower’s impact on historic views, particularly those of the Tower of London, and on a medieval burial ground located at the site. The City of London’s Planning Applications Sub-Committee unanimously resolved to grant permission for this development, reflecting the ongoing prioritisation of office space expansion in the Square Mile amid efforts to balance heritage conservation.
Together, these developments illustrate the complex interplay between urban growth and heritage preservation in central London. While the towers will bring substantial new office capacity—35,000 square metres planned at Gracechurch Street alone—they also spotlight the challenges faced in integrating modern construction within a historically rich environment. The City Corporation’s planning decisions reflect a nuanced approach that accommodates economic development while endeavouring to protect and showcase key archaeological finds.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on recent planning approvals for two office towers in the City of London, with the latest approval dated July 8, 2025. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is February 13, 2025, concerning the discovery of Roman ruins at 85 Gracechurch Street. The narrative includes updated data, such as the reduction in tower height and the integration of public exhibition spaces, which may justify a higher freshness score. However, the presence of earlier versions with differing figures and dates indicates potential discrepancies. Additionally, the narrative references a press release from AXA IM Alts, which typically warrants a high freshness score. Some content appears republished across multiple outlets, which may indicate recycled material. Overall, the freshness score is moderate due to the mix of new information and recycled content.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from individuals such as James Taylor of Woods Bagot and Sophie Jackson of MOLA. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from February 13, 2025, in a report detailing the discovery of Roman ruins at 85 Gracechurch Street. The quotes appear to be consistent across sources, suggesting they are not reused from earlier material. However, the lack of earlier appearances of these quotes in other reputable outlets raises questions about their originality. The score reflects moderate confidence in the originality of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable organisations, including Building Design Online and AXA IM Alts. The City of London Corporation's official website also provides information on the planning approvals. The presence of multiple reputable sources enhances the reliability of the information. However, the reliance on a press release from AXA IM Alts, a single source, introduces some uncertainty. Overall, the source reliability score is high.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims, such as the discovery of Roman ruins at 85 Gracechurch Street and the approval of two major office towers in the City of London. These developments are consistent with recent urban planning trends in London. The integration of public exhibition spaces and heritage gardens aligns with the City's emphasis on preserving historical sites. The tone and language are consistent with typical corporate and official communications. There are no significant inconsistencies or red flags, suggesting the narrative is credible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative provides a detailed account of recent planning approvals for office towers in the City of London, incorporating updated information and direct quotes. While the sources are generally reliable, the presence of recycled content and the reliance on a single press release introduce some uncertainties. The plausibility of the claims is high, but the overall assessment remains open due to the identified concerns.
