Skyscrapers Under Construction or Proposed in London

Below are the tallest skyscrapers under construction or proposed in London, United Kingdom.

1. 1 Undershaft

Current status: Approved
Height: 290m Floors: 73
Uses: Office
Architect: Eric Parry Architects
Developer: Aroland Holdings

1 Undershaft is planned to be built between Twentytwo and The Gherkin, replacing the 118-meter St Helen’s tower. The building is also widely known as The Trellis for its iconic exoskeleton cross bracing.
The tower was once planned to rise to 304m above the ground, but was eventually reduced to 290m due to the concern of the nearby flight paths, making it 16m shorter than the 306-meter Shard. However, if the elevation of the ground (14m) is counted, the Shard is only 5 meters higher as its elevation is only 3m.
The top of the building will contain a two-level observation deck, which will be free to access for the public, and will possibly include exhibition space of the Museum of London, and the floor right beneath the observation deck will have a restaurant.
The upper level of the observation deck will be at a height of 280m, which will make it the highest observatory in London and the United Kingdom, surpassing the 244m-high observatory of the Shard.

2. 55 Bishopsgate

Current status: Approved
Height: 269m Floors: 63
Uses: Office
Architect: Arney Fender Katsalidis
Developers: Stanhope

55 Bishopsgate is a 63-storey skyscraper proposed in 2022 for City of London, it’s set to replace an eight-storey classic building and will rise to 269m (285m with elevation). The City of London planning committee approved the project in July 2023.
The top floor of the tower will have a free sky garden with capacity for 300 visitors, and an outdoor viewing platform will be built on the rooftop, offering 360 degree views of London.
Construction work on the tower is expected to begin in 2024, and complete in 2029.

3. 100 Leadenhall Street

Current status: Approved
Height: 247m Floors: 57
Uses: Office
Architect: SOM
Developers: London & Oriental; Lai Sun Group

The tower was previously known as “Cheesegrater 2” due to its similarity with the neighboring 225m-high Cheesegrater, both buildings have a distinctive wedge-shaped form. The tower will have a façade made up of elongated diamond shapes, hence it’s also called The Diamond.
The top floors will have a free public observation deck, a restaurant and a sky bar.

4. Spire London

Current status: On hold
Height: 235m Floors: 67
Uses: Residential
Architect: HOK
Developer: Greenland Group

Spire London is set to be built in West India Quay near Canary Wharf, and will become the tallest residential tower in western Europe. The building was previously to be called Hertsmere House, named after the original building that was demolished to make space for it. In 2014, Chinese real estate developer Greenland Group acquired the site to develop the skyscraper, and later changed the name to Spire London.
The crown of the building is shaped like three petals, which is inspired by the orchid, a flower that has been cultivated in China for thousands of years, the shape also resembles the contours of prow and bow, inspired by the site’s maritime history.

5. Ensign House

Current status: Approved
Height: 225m Floors: 56
Uses: Residential
Architect: Maccreanor Lavington Architects
Developer: FEC International (Far East Consortium International)
Expected Completion: 2026

Ensign House is a 56-storey residential skyscraper set to replace a 6-storey office building with the same name at South Quay, just south of the Canary Wharf financial district.
It will rise to 225m with a short spire on the top, which will be lit up at night to light up the docklands skyline.
The residential building will provide 500 flats, including 135 flats designated affordable, and a luxury penthouse on the top floor.
The demolition works for the existing building will start soon, and the new building is expected to complete in 2026.

6. Aspen at Consort Place

Current status: Under Construction
Height: 216m Floors: 67
Uses: Residential, Hotel
Architect: Pilbrow & Partners
Developer: FEC International
Expected Completion: 2024

Also known as Consort Place East Tower, it is the tallest of the three buildings planned in a mixed-use development called Consort Place, the project is located in close proximity to the Ensign House listed above, and they are being developed by the same developer.
Aspen tower is intended for residential use, will have 495 apartments, the tower will be linked to a 20-storey building (the shortest one of the development) that will house a hotel operated by Dorsett Hospitality International, which is a subsidiary of the developer of this project.

7. 8 Bishopsgate

Current status: Under Construction
Height: 204m Floors: 51
Uses: Office
Architect: Wilkinson Eyre
Developers: Stanhope; Mitsubishi Estate
Expected completion: 2023

Also known as 150 Leadenhall Street, this tower is located immediately south of Twentytwo and west of Cheesegrater. The tower is composed of a series of stacked blocks, this distinctive design makes it possible to add outdoor spaces for the office workers in the floors high above the ground.
The pavilion at the 50th floor will include a viewing gallery free to access for the public.
The tower has architecturally topped out in 2022, and is expected to complete in 2023.