Multiplex has been appointed as main contractor on “one of the lowest carbon and most biodiverse” high-rise towers in the UK.
Investment firm AXA IM Alts is behind the 650,000 sq ft Fifty Fenchurch Street office project in the City of London. The project promises to fuse nature with smart technology and create a building “fit for the future”.
The 36-storey tower will feature landscaped gardens at ground level, and there will be 40 planted terraces with more than 70 different plant species. It will also include high-spec technology and amenities.
Work will start this summer and is expected to complete in 2028. Keltbray carried out the enabling works in May, and will also carry out piling and excavation.
AXA IM Alts UK head of development, Rob Samuel, said: “Commencing construction with Multiplex marks a significant milestone in the realisation of what we believe is a one-of-a-kind development in the City of London.
“In addition to helping satisfy the significant demand for the first-class and sustainable office accommodation that is a must have for occupiers, Fifty Fenchurch will bring extensive urban greening and landscaped gardens to the Square Mile.”
AXA IM Alts, with development delivery partner YardNine, has assembled a team comprising Eric Parry Architects, Adamson Associates, and Arup, which is leading the engineering design, plus an extensive team of specialists.
People-centric
The tower is being designed to be “people-centric” and create a healthy and enjoyable building to work in. It is aiming for BREEAM Outstanding, and net zero in operation.
Historical architecture will be preserved with the retention of the medieval tower of All Hallows Staining and Lambe’s Chapel Crypt. This will be part of an area the public can visit, which is being built alongside a subterranean Livery Hall for The Clothworkers’ Company.
The tower will have views over Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and the South Bank, and will be within a short walk from 12 underground and mainline stations.
