debating the future of the City
Standing 35 stories tall in the heart of the City Cluster, this latest masterpiece by Ken Shuttleworth and Make Architects reveals itself as more than just another office building—it’s a testament to how thoughtful design can elevate the urban experience.
The formal presentation with Brookfield’s Peter Clarke and Ken Shuttleworth himself set the stage perfectly, before we ascended to witness the building’s crown jewel: the Level 29 public terrace. Here, suspended between earth and sky, the city unfolds in spectacular panorama, while the adjacent Grade II* listed Leadenhall Market whispers stories of London’s rich architectural heritage below.
Walking through Level 24, the remarkable harmony between generous floor plates and soaring ceiling heights creates spaces that breathe—a technical achievement that translates into genuine human comfort. The 430,000 sqft of Grade A offices demonstrate how modern engineering can honour both efficiency and elegance.
This visit forms part of JJ Sarralde’s thoughtfully curated Gracechurch Series, exploring how contemporary architecture is reshaping one of the City’s most historic streets. It’s fascinating to see how each building contributes to an evolving urban narrative while respecting its context.
Architecture, at its finest, doesn’t just house our ambitions—it elevates them. One Leadenhall Street achieves exactly that.
#Architecture #CityofLondon #UrbanDesign #SustainableDesign #BuildingDesign City Architectural Forum
Originally designed in 1956 as part of the Golden Lane Estate by Chamberlin Powell and Bon for the City of London Corporation, this iconic Grade II Listed Building was a hugely influential post-war housing development, with unusual views into The Barbican, their best known work. John Robertson (John Robertson Architects)...
The sudden emptying of streets in the Pandemic meant ‘we started to think harder about the human elements of the City in that pause’, said Eric Parry, newly minted CBE in this year’s Birthday Honours, introducing One Undershaft to Forum members and guests at his practice’s Old Street offices. Having...
2025 was the first year of ‘CAF 2.0’ – an evolution of the Forum responding to the new era opening up in the City of London, and to look ahead to 2026, our 35th anniversary since we were founded in 1991. So, what has changed? Our new Operations Director Jenny...
