Not another tower this time, but a relatively low rise building which will still contain 700,000 square feet of space, surely more than enough for the Swiss investment bank.
The new office will be at 5 Broadgate – numbers 4 and 6 will be demolished to accommodate it – and will replace the aggressively 80s buildings currently occupying the space. The proposals sparked a row between landlords British Land and Blackstone and heritage societies who wanted the buildings given listed status with Broadgate itself made a conservation area.
As with many new buildings in the City, the new design by Ken Shuttleworth of Make Architects has attracted some criticism; Sir Stuart Lipton, the site’s original developer in the 80s, referred to the plans as an ‘engine block’ and ‘the worst large building we have seen in the City for 20 years’. Cramped pedestrian walkways and a security-induced ban on shops or coffee bars have also been the subject of some consternation.
Like the Heron Tower, 5 Broadgate will be making a virtue of its environmental credentials with a number of measures to reduce energy consumption including rainwater harvesting, photovoltaics and solar panels.
