Plans for One London, the £1bn-plus skyscraper formerly known as 1 Undershaft, have underlined the scale of major construction work still moving through the UK pipeline.
The scheme is being brought forward by Aroland Holdings, advised by Perennial Holdings, alongside Stanhope and Eric Parry Architects. Rising to 309.6 metres, the tower is set to become the tallest building in the City of London, the UK’s tallest office building and, on completion in 2033, the joint tallest building in Western Europe.
Located at the junction of Leadenhall Street and St Mary Axe, the development will deliver around 1.2 million sq ft of office-led space in the heart of the Square Mile. The site sits within walking distance of six Underground lines and the Elizabeth line, as well as around 1,000 hospitality venues and 27 acres of public open space.
For CEA members, the project is a clear example of the type of long-term construction activity that will continue to call on specialist plant, equipment and technical expertise. Deconstruction of the existing St Helen’s Tower is already underway, with a main contractor expected to be appointed later this year. Full construction is planned to begin in 2028, following deconstruction, enabling works and the finalisation of development financing.
A project of this scale will require a wide range of construction equipment and site solutions, from demolition and enabling works through to piling, lifting, access, temporary power, emissions-compliant machinery, safety systems and digital construction tools.
Viki Bell, CEO of the CEA (Construction Equipment Association), said: “One London is a strong signal of confidence in the long-term construction pipeline and a reminder of the scale of work still coming through in the UK. A project of this size will rely on a wide range of specialist equipment, from demolition and enabling works through to piling, lifting, access, site power, safety systems and low-emission plant.
“For CEA members, schemes like this matter because they show where demand is heading. Major projects need modern machinery, technical expertise and reliable supply chains, and the construction equipment sector has a central role to play in delivering them safely, efficiently and to the standards now expected on complex urban sites.”
The project also points to continued confidence in London’s commercial construction market and the demand for high-quality office space in prime locations. As one of the most significant commercial schemes planned in the capital, One London is likely to be watched closely by contractors, suppliers and equipment manufacturers as it moves towards construction.
