Green glass facade of 1 Moor Lane building to be scrapped in sustainability overhaul drawn up by AHMM
The City of London has approved AHMM鈥檚 plans to redevelop one of Denys Lasdun鈥檚 last major projects despite criticism of the scheme from Historic England.
Brookfield Properties鈥� proposals for the building formerly known as Milton Gate at 1 Moor Lane, near the Barbican, will retain about 70% of the 1980s block but strip away its green glass facade.
Lasdun, whose projects include the grade II*-listed National Theatre, designed Milton Gate in the 1980s which was completed in 1991 with the building later undergoing a refurbishment by Squire & Partners in 2007.
It is known for its unusual castle-like design and its entirely glass facade, which Brookfield Properties has described as 鈥渁esthetically dated鈥�.
It was the subject of a listing bid by the Twentieth Century Society in 2023 which was turned down by Historic England partly because of later changes to the building鈥檚 atrium and entrance.
But Historic England said the scale of Brookfield鈥檚 new scheme, which will increase the building鈥檚 office space by around 50%, would harm nearby heritage sites including the grade II and grade II*-listed Brewery events venue.
AHMM鈥檚 proposals for the site would be radically different to the existing building, featuring a white and red-coloured facade and extensive landscaped terraces on upper floors.
Brookfield said the current gas boiler-powered building, which has an EPC rating of E, underperforms both in terms of operational energy and sustainability and described its amenities as dated and lacking appeal.
AHMM founding director Simon Allford said: 鈥�1 Moor Lane is the result of Brookfield Properties and AHMM鈥檚 shared ambition to create an innovative, low carbon reinvention of an existing building.
鈥淭he activated ground floor engages with the historic streetscape, whilst the generous office volumes above open onto, cascading balconies and verdant terraces, delivering a new green edge to the city鈥檚 historic skyline.鈥�
The scheme will include a food and beverage space on the ground floor along with a public art space.
Others working on the deal include cost consultant Exigere, project manager Savills, structural engineer Heyne Tillett Steel and mechanical and sustainability consultant Chapman BDSP.
The consent for the scheme adds to Brookfield Properties鈥� 1.3 million sq ft pipeline, which includes RSHP鈥檚 54-storey tower at 99 Bishopsgate which was approved in January.
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