FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
The City of London Corporation Planning Applications Sub-Committee has approved plans from Landsec to transform Hill House, EC4 into a sustainable workspace and new rooftop restaurant.
Situated adjacent to Landsec’s New Street Square cluster, Hill House has been designed to respond to market demand for sustainable, well-connected workplaces supported by great local amenities. It will enhance the Square Mile’s cultural and leisure appeal by combining 380,000 sq ft of high-quality office space with a rooftop club room and terrace, restaurant, cultural events space and a new ground floor home for the much-loved Shoe Lane Library.
Designed by Apt architects, Hill House will be net zero in both construction and operation. Nearly 60 per cent of the existing structure will be retained and materials from the building will be recovered and re-used where possible. The all-electric building will be powered by air source heat pumps and procure 100 per cent renewable electricity to help businesses meet their ESG targets and respond to employees’ growing sustainability expectations.
The design for Hill House also includes extensive access to nature. Alongside landscaped public realm, accessible terraces feature on every level and an external ‘vertical forest’ will cascade down from the top of the building.
Oliver Knight, Head of Workplace at Landsec, said: “Businesses are looking for sustainable workspaces in the best connected and most vibrant locations to attract staff into the office and support employee wellbeing. The market for best-in-class space remains robust and, with an increasingly constrained supply pipeline across London, will continue to grow.
“Not only will Hill House provide modern, energy efficient workspace, with a new rooftop clubroom and terrace, skyline restaurant and cultural space, it’s set to become a truly seven day a week destination.”
Deputy Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Graham Packham, said: “The Hill House scheme is a fantastic example of the new holistic office schemes that the City Corporation are delivering sustainably, across the Square Mile: Inclusive, green and respectful of valued community assets, whilst providing public realm improvements for local residents and visitors.
“Through the City Corporation’s Destination City programme, together with developments like Hill House, we are creating a unique and diverse offer for local workers, residents and visitors, to make the Square Mile to a world-leading destination for all to enjoy.”
As environmental protection demands unified action, transparency, and heightened awareness, Biological Preparations has launched an initiative to catalyse sustainability efforts within the FM sector.
FM businesses face unique challenges and heightened expectations of eco-initiatives from their clients. Yet, behind the scenes in FM businesses, many environmental initiatives, rollouts and even planning, are not broadcasted and transparent.
Have your say: Sustainability Trends in FM
The UK biotech company’s five-minute, anonymous FM-focused survey, offers FM professionals of all hierarchies with a platform to voice their perspectives and share their experiences. The results from this survey will then be analysed and presented as an industry-specific report, which aims to guide FM businesses helping them benchmark trends, gain clarity on industry challenges, and map out goals and metrics towards sustainability.
To share your experiences, please click here.
