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)...
As in previous years as we come to the end of the year I wanted to write to you, our members, with a few reflections and a look ahead. So for 2020 – the year of the acronym… First, we had COVID and all the attendant horror of the pandemic,...
Giles Martin, Director of WilkinsonEyre and David Seel, Managing Director of Robert Bird Group join in conversation with Michael Cassidy CBE, Chairman Ebbsfleet Garden City and Advisor to the Crossrail Art Programme. Giles and David have led from inception the delivery of 21 Moorfields, an ambitious over-site development above Moorgate...
