#362 Revisited: Skyscrapers, Predicting The Future

#362 Revisited: Skyscrapers, Predicting The Future

From Engineering Matters by Reby Media

March 12, 2026 · 44 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the transformation of the London skyline with new skyscrapers and their impact on urban life.

The London skyline is undergoing perhaps its most significant transformation in decades as a new ‘vertical renaissance’ is sending tremors of excitement from Guildhall to Mansion House. The City of London Corporation says that over half a million square metres of office space was granted planning permission in the City in 2025, equivalent to more than ten ‘Gherkins’ with around half of this amount already under construction. This includes the leviathan 309.6m ‘1 Undershaft’ which will be as tall as the Shard when completed. But it is not all about the capacity, unlike the Financial Fortresses of the 20th century, as the earlier skyscrapers in the City were sometimes called, the new structures will be more open to the street, with pedestrian access, parks and commercial arcades, to make the city feel more vibrant and  less sterile, than it has to previous generations. The City’s largest office building, 22 Bishopsgate has led the way in a period of challenging economic headwinds, fully occupied and seeing record high rents, it is perhaps the first of these post-financial crash, vertical villages in the Square Mile that can be considered part of this renaissance. Guests Paul…

People in this episode

Guests: Paul Hargreaves, David Healy, Amy Holtz, Diego Padilla-Philips

Topics covered

  • skyscrapers
  • urban development
  • sustainability
  • architecture
  • economic trends

Keywords

  • London skyline
  • vertical renaissance
  • office space
  • urban vibrancy
  • economic headwinds

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: City of London Corporation

Places: London, City of London, Square Mile, Guildhall, Mansion House, 1 Undershaft, 22 Bishopsgate, Shard

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