Plan Unveiled to Build City of London’s Tallest Skyscraper

London (PNA/Xinhua) — A three-day exhibition opened Monday to gauge public reaction to plans by Singapore developer Aroland Holdings to build the City of London’s tallest tower.

The building at 1 Undershaft is proposed to be 309.6 meters tall, eclipsing all other skyscrapers in the capital’s financial heart, the City of London.

It will rival the Shard, which sits on slightly lower lying land which makes it seven meters taller in actual height than 1 Undershaft.

Designed by London-based Eric Parry Architects, the 73-storey tower will be built next door to the tower known as the Cheesegrater and will feature a new public square at its base as well as a public viewing gallery and restaurant at the top.

The new tower will replace the 28-storey Aviva Tower which was completed in 1969 when it became the first building in London to be taller than St Paul’s Cathedral.

Parry said the public elements of the building will mean it will be in use seven days a week.

He said: “1 Undershaft will create more of the quality office space that is desperately needed in the capital and will reconnect the city’s tall building cluster with the public. This building will set new standards for the City in terms of comfort, quality, environmental sustainability and putting the public at the heart of the tower.”

When completed, the 90,000 sq meters office block will serve as a workplace for 10,000 people. There will be dedicated lifts serving the public viewing gallery. Space at the top of the tower will be given over to two classrooms for school parties to learn more about the British capital. The development will also include nearly 2,000 sq meters of retail space.

Developer Aroland Holdings aims to submit a planning application to the City of London planning authority next year.

The public exhibition is being held at the Bishopsgate Institute until Wednesday. (PNA/Xinhua) RMA/EDS