85 Gracechurch Street

The public hall, which recreates an historic Pedestrian route between Gracechurch Street and Lime Street Passage, is designed to accommodate flexible uses and events that support the rejuvenation of Leadenhall Market. Leadenhall Market has suffered from lower footfall and increased vacancy post pandemic and is restricted by its physical floor plan.  The intention is that this complementary extension of the Market and cultural offer will help drive footfall and help turn Leadenhall Market into a 7-day-a-week national and international destination.

The proposals also include a publicly accessible Heritage Garden with areas of densely planted woodland that create a tranquil spot in the heart of the City. Internal areas of the garden include a multipurpose cultural space, that focuses on the history of this part of the City, from Roman London to the present day, with opportunities for archaeological display, VR exhibits and a cafe. The cultural and exhibition space is being brought forward in partnership with the Museum of London as cultural content partner. The garden leads visitors to an external elevated Heritage Walkway around the perimeter of the site, which offers a unique vantage point over the roofs of Leadenhall Market with its ornate octagon, lantern, and iron finials, and to the modern city beyond.

The development has a keen focus on its environmental impact, with an approach that meets or exceeds all Greater London Authority (GLA) and City of London (CoL) sustainability requirements. The all-electric building includes efficient mechanical systems, exemplar urban greening across the building, openable windows for natural ventilation, and over 600 cycle parking spaces which includes an automated cycle hub for visitors to the site and surrounding area. The sustainable design approach has equally considered the entire lifespan of the scheme: from adaptation and enhancement of the Gracechurch Street façade, deconstruction of the existing building, through to construction and during its long-intended operation as a net zero carbon building.

Working closely with heritage and townscape consultants and City of London Planning and Design officers, Woods Bagot has designed a unique architectural response which distils the character and appearance of the Leadenhall Market Conservation Area through contemporary responses to form, massing, articulation, materiality, and detailing.