British Land puts in planning app for 5 Broadgate

10th Dec 2010 07:01

Property company British Land and investment firm Blackstone Group have submitted planning application for 5 Broadgate, the office building in the City that initially will be let out to Swiss banking giant UBS.The 12 storey building will also have two basements for commercial office use. The main building height will be 74.5 metres, with additional plant on the roof taking the maximum height of the building to 83.5 metres (91 yards).5 Broadgate will allow UBS to bring together its trading operation into one building in the City. This new building also represents a further stage in the successful evolution of the Broadgate office estate and the retention of one of the world's leading investment banks in the heart of the City of London, a statement from British Land said."These proposals meet UBS's needs and further reinforce British Land's confidence in the City of London and the development of the Broadgate complex. It is a sign of huge confidence in London's status as a world financial centre that UBS has committed to building a new world class office building in the heart of the City," said Chris Grigg, chief executive of British Land.A new public route will be opened up east-west connecting Broadgate Circle with Sun Street Passage to provide a direct route to Liverpool Street Station and to Exchange Square to the north. A new 'gateway space', known as Sun Street Square, with a café at the base of 3 Finsbury will be created to provide a new pedestrian crossing to Crown Placeand the northern approach to Finsbury Avenue Square will be redefined with new landscaping. Sun Street Square and Sun Street Passage both present an opportunity for the incorporation of public art, including an 'art wall'.