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Office blocks overlooking the Barbican Centre on Silk Street are soon to be unoccupied as the current residents, law firm Linklaters, move around the corner to Ropemaker Street. The building won’t be uninhabited for long though, as developers have been quick to jump on the property with a big idea: namely a 21-story ‘best-in-class’ office building.
The plan comes from Lipton Roger Developments and a team of architects, including SOM, the people responsible for the new Harrow Square development (the big shiny buildings by the Harrow on the Hill station). Mock-ups of the new design were published earlier this month, allowing Barbican residents to get an idea of what their new neighbours might look like – if they are still living there in 2032, the proposed finish date of the project.
While it looks like the building will mainly function as offices, a spokesperson for One Silk Street says it’ll also boast a ‘combination of cultural, amenity and sustainable uses’. It is not yet clear what this means exactly, but there is mention of a public route through the development with potential for retail, food and art spaces.
The project has been gauging residents’ opinions of the project since 2023. The feedback hasn’t been all positive, as some locals have concerns over the height of the new building, as well as how it could block sunlight and lead to increased noise.
Residents seem keen on retrofitting the existing building rather than tearing it down and starting again, but the development team isn’t so fond of this idea. The existing structural frame is apparently very restrictive and there would apparently be trouble with ceilings and windows, which the designs have an awful lot of.
The plan for the new building is still being developed so if you want to have your say in the future of this project the online consultation form is available here (until the February 24) and more information on the redevelopment can be found on the Kanda Consulting website here.
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