Plans are underway to transform Multiplex’s City of London headquarters into a new 54-storey tower, highlighting significant developments in urban architecture.
- Brookfield Properties, Multiplex’s parent company, has proposed the demolition of the existing 99 Bishopsgate to make way for a skyscraper more than twice its height.
- If greenlit, the 240-metre edifice will rank as the fifth-tallest in London’s Square Mile, surpassing landmarks like the Cheesegrater and the Scalpel.
- A distinctive feature of the design is the incorporation of an ‘externally braced tube’ structure, replacing traditional concrete cores with steel diagonal bracing columns.
- Alongside the skyscraper, a six-storey cultural building is planned, expected to enrich the area’s public amenities with gallery spaces and studios.
The ambitious project by Brookfield Properties aims to replace the current 99 Bishopsgate with a skyscraper that will dramatically alter the City of London skyline. Plans submitted reveal a vision for a 54-storey tower that will significantly eclipse its predecessor in both height and architectural innovation.
The prospective new tower, measuring 240 metres, is poised to become the fifth-tallest structure within London’s iconic Square Mile. This elevation will strategically place it above renowned structures like the Cheesegrater and the Scalpel, adding to the dynamic architectural profile of the area.
Central to the project’s architectural approach is the use of an innovative ‘externally braced tube‘ design. This method employs steel diagonal bracing columns, moving away from the traditional reliance on reinforced concrete cores. Such design choices underscore a forward-thinking approach to modern skyscraper construction.
Complementing the tower, Brookfield Properties plans to develop a standalone six-storey building dedicated to cultural use. This facility aims to provide gallery space and studios, thereby enhancing the cultural landscape and public engagement in the area.
Preservation efforts are also in focus as the development intends to retain significant portions of the existing building’s substructure. This includes a deep piled raft and a piled retaining wall, which will undergo careful underpinning and extension as part of the construction process.
Construction activities are projected to commence in the spring of 2026, with an expected duration of 57 months, leading to a handover by the end of 2030. The project stands as a testament to urban regeneration and sustainable development practices in modern architecture.
The proposed redevelopment of Multiplex’s headquarters marks a pivotal moment in enhancing London’s urban landscape and architectural heritage.
