The City of London Corporation has decided to grant planning permission for the development of a new skyscraper at 100 Leadenhall in the City of London.

When completed, the structure will reach a height of 263.4 metres making it the third tallest building in the Square Mile.

An estimated 6,300 workers will work in the building upon completion.

100 Leadenhall Street will be one of the seven tall buildings in the City’s eastern cluster due to complete construction by 2026 that will host a high level free public viewing gallery at its peak, a trend seen nowhere else in Europe.

The development will provide a significant increase in flexible office accommodation in the City. This comes after the amount of serviced office and co-working space in the Square Mile doubled since 2010 with approximately 20,000 people now working from such spaces.

New routes through the site will allow the public to benefit from more navigable and less congested network of City streets. One route will create a link between Leadenhall Street and Bury Street accessible 24 hours per day. Another route connecting Leadenhall Street to St Mary Axe will lead to a new garden space at the rear of Grade I Church of St Andrew Undershaft for City workers and visitors to enjoy between 0600 and 2100.

Deliveries will be managed by an off-site logistic centre and timed deliveries. This will reduce the number of service deliveries by at least 50%, leading to less vehicle congestion and benefits to air quality.

Chris Hayward, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, commented:

“I’m delighted that we have approved latest addition to the City’s growing office district.

“As a leading business district accommodating 483,000 workers every day, it is vital to continue to deliver office space for the significant growth expected with the arrival of the Elizabeth line later this year.

“Leading to a church dating back to the 12th century, this development demonstrates the City’s distinctive ability to house the old and new side by side, while becoming more accessible to creative workers and members of the public.

“More than ever we are seeing businesses make location decisions based on the quality of built environment and public realm that they can offer their employees.

“Today’s committee decision will boost confidence and international talent in the City of London.”