Barbican Campaigners: Objections to 20-Storey Office Block 'Fallen on Deaf Ears'
Plans for a massive 20-storey office block directly opposite the Barbican Centre have been amended following a fierce backlash from local residents, but campaigners claim their objections have largely been ignored. The proposed redevelopment at 1 Silk Street, spearheaded by LaSalle Investment Management, Lipton Rogers, and architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), has seen significant changes after more than 1,000 formal objections were filed.
Revised Plans and Resident Backlash
The original scheme would have demolished the existing 1980s building, previously home to Magic Circle law firm Linklaters, and replaced it with two 20-storey towers. Following widespread criticism from Barbican residents who warned the design was "needlessly overpowering and insensitively designed," the developers have now reduced the western tower by 10 metres, bringing it down to 16 storeys plus ground level. The eastern tower remains at 20 storeys plus ground.
This reduction creates 2,282 square metres of enhanced public space, including a new plaza at the Barbican Centre entrance and a pedestrian route linking Moorgate and Liverpool Street with the Barbican. Developers claim the amendments will significantly reduce daylight impacts on neighbouring homes, particularly affecting Speed House and Cromwell Tower within the Brutalist estate.
Campaigners' Dismissal as 'Token Gesture'
Despite these changes, local campaign group Barbican Quarter Action (BQA) has dismissed the revisions as "a token gesture that brings no relief." A BQA spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the amendments are "lopsided" and "remain out of context, out of scale and grain." They asserted, "No, the developer has not listened. Consultation fell on deaf ears, as these revisions demonstrate."
The spokesperson elaborated, "The building keeps leaping forwards and shooting upwards, stealing light and privacy." They pointed to other developments like Schroders' London Wall Place by MAKE or 88 Wood Street by Richard Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners as examples where profitability and respectful architecture coexist, arguing that the 1 Silk Street scheme lacks ambition and appreciation for its context.
Developer Responses and Future Implications
Gary Moore, Head of International Accounts, Europe at LaSalle Investment Management, stated, "The revised proposals for 1 Silk Street reflect our continued commitment to listening carefully to residents and investing in the City of London's future." He emphasized that while the scheme has evolved, the goal remains to deliver a high-quality commercial building that reinforces the City's global competitiveness.
Sir Stuart Lipton, Founding Partner at Lipton Rogers Developments, added, "In listening carefully to feedback received, the revised scheme designed by SOM is more modest in scale, while more ambitious in public benefits." The revisions result in a five percent reduction in office floorspace, though the project still aims to contribute to the City of London Corporation's target of adding 1.2 million square metres of space by 2040.
Broader Context and Ongoing Battles
This controversy occurs as local campaigners prepare to challenge another major development near the Barbican: the approved London Wall West scheme. That project, green-lit by the Corporation in 2024, involves demolishing Bastion House and the former Museum of London to construct three new office buildings. Barbican Quarter Organisation (BQO) has secured permission for a High Court hearing next month to oppose it.
The 1 Silk Street debate highlights ongoing tensions between development ambitions and heritage preservation in London's Square Mile, with campaigners warning that mediocre architecture could undermine the City's competitive edge. As planners and decision-makers weigh these concerns, the outcome may set precedents for future projects in this culturally sensitive area.
