Ever since it was finished, the Shard has held the title of tallest skyscraper in the UK and Western Europe. But now another building is being built that will match its height. Named the 1 Undershaft and designed by Eric Parry Architects, in partnership with Aroland Holdings and Stanthope, this tall structure will reach a height of (1,015 ft). This will make it one of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe, excluding Russia.
Designer: Eric Parry Architects, Aroland Holdings, and Stanthope
This skyscraper will rise in London and come with a chunky design that incorporates greenery at various spots. It’ll provide 154,000 sq m of floor area, spread out over almost 74 floors. A majority of these levels will be used for office space. Additionally, there will be the highest viewing gallery open to the public in Europe, plus an education center for school groups near the top. There’s also a garden area available for free access on the 11th floor, alongside some nice landscaping.
“Skyscrapers can create enormous value in our urban landscapes,” stated Eric Parry Architects. “1 Undershaft is designed to be a generous building that aspires to be a next-generation classic, both for the public and its occupants. A compelling civic quality is interwoven throughout the design, setting it apart as the iconic centerpiece of the cluster. This building is created to offer a variety of urban settings; street level, elevated public garden, amenity floors, and the London Museum classrooms and viewing gallery at the very top. We re-worked the lower levels to enhance both public spaces and interactions across three active frontages, making the building’s base livelier and more inviting.”
The 1 Undershaft is still just a concept for now, but it’s expected to be finished by the early 2030s. It’s certainly something exciting to anticipate in architecture, and will offer interesting competition to the Shard!
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