This is what London‘s skyline will look like by the end of the decade, according to computer-generated images.
The new pictures incorporate major developments approved over the past year, which was especially strong for the city’s development.
The City of London Corporation, which released the images, says there was an increase of a quarter in planning applications received and decided in comparison to last year.
The AI snaps of the capital’s future skyline feature 11 skyscrapers either under construction, given consent for construction or with a resolution to grant permission for construction.
Most of these tall buildings will join those already in the ‘City Cluster’ area, located in the eastern corner of London’s Square Mile, which already houses many of the capital’s most iconic skyscrapers.
This area also plays host to an increasing population of city workers, whose ranks have swelled by 29,000 to around 617,000 since 2021.
Due to this growing population of workers, which is forecasted to increase with an additional 85,000 jobs expected by 2040, the City Corporation is also negotiating proposals that would see more than 500,000 square meters of office space – equivalent to around 70 football pitches – added to the city, with the same amount already under construction.
The demand for high-quality, sustainable office space remains high, with a joint report from engineering consultant company Arup and estate agents Knight Frank suggesting a need for 1.2m sqm of extra office space in the city by 2040, to accommodate estimated job growth.
As a key area of change identified in the City of London’s City Plan 2040, the City Cluster will additionally benefit from new pedestrian routes and urban green space, more space for retail and food and drink outlets, as well as more educational, cultural and heritage space to celebrate the capital’s rich history.
The Square Mile has already benefitted from recent introductions of tall buildings including 8 Bishopsgate – a 50-storey building known as The Lookout – and 22 Bishopsgate – a 58-storey building known as 22 Horizon, which boasts the status of Europe’s tallest free viewing gallery.
Between them, these two new skyscrapers have already welcomed more than 70,000 people to their free public viewing galleries in the mere two months since opening.
Shravan Joshi, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Committee at the City of London Corporation, said the Square Mile’s real estate sector continued to thrive, despite external economic concerns.
‘These new CGI images clearly illustrate the ever-changing nature of London’s incredible skyline,’ Mr Joshi said.
‘It demonstrates that the City office is here to stay, and that the Square Mile’s real estate sector is robust and thriving, despite wider economic concerns.
‘Through our flagship ‘Destination City’ policy, we are creating a culturally vibrant, inclusive and welcoming City, enabled in part by these tall towers which help accommodate the hospitality, leisure, social and cultural destinations that are flocking to the City.
‘The City Corporation’s strong performance this year is underpinned by the Built Environment team’s efforts to de-risk many of the variables associated with real estate investment.
‘This includes providing clear policy directives, working closely with stakeholders and undertaking transparent consultation on schemes.’
