The City of London Corporation has granted unanimous planning approval for a striking 31-storey office skyscraper at 130 Fenchurch Street, featuring innovative sustainable design, public spaces, and enhanced connectivity, marking a significant step in the Square Mile’s ongoing transformation.
The City of London Corporation has granted unanimous planning consent for a striking 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street, designed by WilkinsonEyre to deliver over 57,000 square metres of Grade A commercial space. The development, formerly known as Fountain House, aligns with the City Corporation’s ambitious target to add 1.2 million square metres of office floorspace by 2040, signalling a major step in the ongoing transformation of the Square Mile’s commercial landscape. Scheduled for demolition of the existing structure in 2026 and completion by 2030, the new tower is expected to support around 3,610 jobs and represents the seventh office scheme in 2025 exceeding 50,000 square metres of floorspace.
The design embraces a stepped, jewel-like aesthetic intended to blend seamlessly with the surrounding skyline, while protecting vital sightlines towards London’s heritage landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London. The scheme includes over 300 square metres of ground-floor retail and leisure space, alongside a publicly accessible terrace on the 20th floor, which will be open free of charge seven days a week in accordance with City Corporation policy. A newly created pedestrian route will link Fenchurch Street to Leadenhall Market, Cullum Street, and the Lime Street Estate, enhancing connectivity and public engagement within this bustling district.
While the official approval cites the tower’s height at 31 storeys, earlier design proposals and public consultation documents have indicated variations, with some sources referring to a 34-storey structure. These plans, developed by Aviva Investors in partnership with CO—RE, include additional public amenities such as exhibition space on level 17 and green terraces designed for both public and private use. The development also places emphasis on sustainability, aiming to set new benchmarks for environmental performance and design innovation, in line with the City of London’s City Plan 2040 ambitions.
The project replaces the current Fountain House building, a 16-storey block dating from 1958, facilitating a significant increase in high-quality office space in the heart of London’s financial district. Retail and hospitality provisions are also enhanced, with approximately 4,000 square feet planned to complement the office environment. This development reflects a broader trend in the City, where approvals for large-scale office developments continue to accelerate, with more than 300,000 square metres of new office floorspace granted planning permission this year alone.
The City Corporation’s planning and transportation committee chair, Tom Sleigh, underscored the importance of the scheme, stating that “130 Fenchurch captures our ambition to unlock growth: a striking new workplace in the heart of the City, with routes and views that open up the City for everyone.” The integrated public spaces and pedestrian connections are designed not only to accommodate the working population but also enrich the urban experience for residents and visitors, reinforcing the City of London’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive development.
Looking ahead, the approved tower at 130 Fenchurch Street is set to become a landmark addition to London’s skyline, combining commercial vitality with public accessibility and environmental responsibility. Backed by major investors and architectural innovation, it reinforces the evolving character of the City as a dynamic, forward-looking financial centre, equipped to meet contemporary demands for workplace quality, heritage sensitivity, and urban regeneration.
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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 the City of London Corporation's recent approval of a 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street, dated 30 September 2025. This development has been previously reported in May 2025, with planning applications submitted in early 2025. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/business/skyscraper-city-office-space-fenchurch-street-b1226269.html?utm_source=openai)) The earlier reports mention a 34-storey design, indicating potential discrepancies in reported figures. The current report includes updated data, suggesting a higher freshness score. However, the earlier reports were published more than 7 days prior, which may affect the freshness score. Additionally, the narrative includes a reference map with links to earlier reports, indicating a reliance on prior coverage. The presence of a press release from the City of London Corporation further supports the narrative's freshness. ([news.cityoflondon.gov.uk](https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/city-of-london-corporation-approves-first-of-its-kind-sustainable-office-building/?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes a quote from Tom Sleigh, Chair of the City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee: “130 Fenchurch captures our ambition to unlock growth: a striking new workplace in the heart of the City, with routes and views that open up the City for everyone.” This quote appears in the City of London Corporation's press release dated 11 February 2025. ([news.cityoflondon.gov.uk](https://news.cityoflondon.gov.uk/city-of-london-corporation-approves-first-of-its-kind-sustainable-office-building/?utm_source=openai)) The identical wording suggests potential reuse of content. No earlier usage of this exact quote was found, indicating potential originality.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Construction News, a reputable UK-based publication. However, the inclusion of a press release from the City of London Corporation indicates that the narrative may be based on this press release. Press releases typically warrant a high freshness score but may lack independent verification. The reliance on a single source for the quote from Tom Sleigh raises concerns about the narrative's reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative reports on the approval of a 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street, aligning with previous reports from May 2025. The earlier reports mention a 34-storey design, indicating potential discrepancies in reported figures. The inclusion of a reference map with links to earlier reports suggests an attempt to provide supporting detail. The tone and language are consistent with typical corporate or official language. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim is present.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative reports on the City of London Corporation's approval of a 31-storey office tower at 130 Fenchurch Street, dated 30 September 2025. This development has been previously reported in May 2025, with planning applications submitted in early 2025. The earlier reports mention a 34-storey design, indicating potential discrepancies in reported figures. The current report includes updated data, suggesting a higher freshness score. The inclusion of a press release from the City of London Corporation indicates that the narrative may be based on this press release. Press releases typically warrant a high freshness score but may lack independent verification. The reliance on a single source for the quote from Tom Sleigh raises concerns about the narrative's reliability. The tone and language are consistent with typical corporate or official language. No excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim is present. Given the reliance on a single source and potential discrepancies in reported figures, the overall assessment is OPEN with a medium confidence level.
