The City of London Corporation has approved a 33-storey, 50,000 sqm sustainable office building at Gracechurch and Fenchurch Street. It will substantially reduce its carbon footprint by retaining and reusing the existing structure and materials. The project enhances connectivity, supports Leadenhall Market’s regeneration, and includes cultural spaces with a rooftop viewing area. [Read more…] about Sustainable office building approved in the City of London
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Bank of England reduces the Bank Rate to 4.5%
The Bank of Enland’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7–2 on 5 February 2025 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4.5%, citing continued progress on disinflation but persistent inflation risks. CPI inflation was 2.5% in Q4 2024, is forecast to rise to 3.7% by Q3 2025, and then ease toward the 2% target. The Committee will remain cautious and closely monitor supply, demand, and inflation developments to guide further decisions.
City of London Corporation approves Square Mile’s tallest tower
The City of London Corporation has approved plans for 1 Undershaft, a 74-storey (309.6m) office tower, set to be the tallest building in the City, located between the Gherkin and Leadenhall Building. Developed by Aroland Holdings Ltd and designed by Eric Parry Architects, the project will provide 154,156 sqm of Grade A office space, a 1,000 sqm public viewing gallery and education space in partnership with the Museum of London, and a 2,500 sqm elevated podium garden with cultural and retail amenities. [Read more…] about City of London Corporation approves Square Mile’s tallest tower
Bank of England cut base rate from 5.25% to 5%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5 to 4 to reduce the Bank Rate from 5.25% to 5%. Four members preferred to keep the rate at 5.25%. Inflation was at 2% in May and June 2024 and is expected to rise to 2.75% in the second half of the year and then return to the 2% target again.
Bank Rate maintained at 5.25%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 7-2 to maintain the Bank Rate at 5.25%. Two members preferred to reduce the bank rate by 0.25% to 5%. Twelve-month CPI inflation fell to 3.2% in March from 3.4% in February. Monetary Policy will remain restrictive for sufficiently long enough to allow inflation to return to the 2% target.
Bank of England holds rates at 5.25%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 6-3 to keep the Bank Rate at 5.5%. Two members preferred to increase the rate by 0.25% and one preferred to reduce it by 0.25% to 5%. Twelve-month CPI inflation fell to 4% in December 2023 and is now expected to fall to the 2% target in the second quarter of 2024, but increase again in the third and fourth quarters.
Bank of England holds the Bank Rate at 5.25% for the third consecutive time
14 December 2023.
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 6-3 to maintain the Bank Rate at 5.25% for the third consecutive time. Three members voted to increase it by 0.25% to 5.5%. 12-month CPI inflation fell from 6.7% in September to 4.6% in October.
Bank of England maintains Bank rate at 5.25%
2 November 2023.
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 6-3 to maintain rates at 5.25%. Three members voted to increase the Bank Rate by 0.25% to 5.5%. Twelve-month CPI inflation fell to 6.7% in September, well above the 2% target, but is expected to continue to fall sharply to 4.75% in 2023 Q4, 4.25% in 2024 Q1, and 3.75% in 2024 Q2, and to the 2% target by the end of 2025.
City of London Corporation grants planning for 215,000 sq ft of office space at Mark Lane EC3
The City of London Corporation has granted planning permission for a new development, ‘The Mark’, designed by Danish architects 3XN, for Hobart Partners and PineBridge Benson Elliot. The new building at 47 and 50 Mark Lane, London, EC3, will offer 215,000 sq ft of office space and 14,000 sq ft of cultural, food & beverage, and retail space. The building is designed to a high environmental standard to contribute to the City Corporation’s aim of achieving a Net Zero Square Mile by 2040 and aims to be sympathetic to the Tower of London World Heritage Site nearby. [Read more…] about City of London Corporation grants planning for 215,000 sq ft of office space at Mark Lane EC3
Bank of England holds rates at 5.25%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5 to 4 to maintain the Bank Rate at 5.25%. Four of the members voted to increase the rate to 5.5%. The 12 month CPI inflation was 6.7% in August down from 7.9% in June.
Bank Rate increased to 5.25% in August
In the August meeting of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) the members voted by a majority of 6-3 to increase the Bank rate by 0.25% to 5.25%. Two members preferred to increase the rate by 0.5% to 5.5% and one preferred to leave the rate unchanged at 5%. Twelve month CPI fell from 8.7% in May to 7.9% in June.
Bank of England increases interest rate to 4.5%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by 7-2 to increase the Bank Rate by 0.25% to 4.5%. The two members that voted against the rate rises preferred to maintain the rate at 4.25%. The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation was 8.7% in the 12 months to April 2023, which is down from 10.1% in March.
Monetary Policy Committee increases interest rate to 4.25%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to increase the Bank Rate by 0.25% to 4.25%; two members preferred to keep the rate at 4%. The MPC will adjust the Bank Rate as necessary to return inflation to the medium term target of 2%. Inflation unexpectedly rose to 10.4% in February.
City of London Corporation approves plans for a 32 storey tower at Gracechurch Street EC3 with retail and a heritage garden
On the site of the Forum and Basilica in the heart of Roman London, the City of London Corporation have approved plans for a 32 storey tower featuring ground floor retail, a fifth floor heritage garden and 27,000 sq m of office space. The development at 85 Gracechurch Street EC3 will also reopen a historic pedestrian route between Gracechurch St and Lime Street.
Bank Rate increased to 4%
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted 7-2 to increase the Bank Rate to 4% from 3.5% with the aim to achieve the 2% inflation target while maintaining growth and employment. Two members preferred to keep the rate at 3.5%.
Bank Rate increased to 3.5%
At the December meeting of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee the members voted 6-3 to increase the Bank Rate by 0.5% to 3.5%. Two members preferred to keep rates at 3% and one member preferred to increase the rate to 3.75%.
Planning approval granted for 30 Minories EC3 office scheme with new archaeological centre
The City of London Corporation has approved a 14,000 sq m office scheme incorporating landscaped terraces and urban greening at 30 Minories EC3N in the east of the City, replacing a postwar building. A Victorian warehouse building known as ‘Writers’ House’, will be retained and repurposed as a community hub featuring an archaeological and cultural centre, along with retail space and affordable workspaces above. Artefacts from the excavation will be housed in a public exhibition, and the car park at Sheppy Place will be transformed into a green public space. City of London Corporation.
City Corporation release images of future City skyline
The City of London Corporation has released updated images of how the City will look in the mid 2020s. The images include projects approved in the past 12 months notably 50 Fenchurch Street, 55 Gracechurch Street, 60 Aldgate High Street, 70 Gracechurch Street and 2-3 Finsbury Avenue. Key proposals in the City Plan 2036 include more animated ground floor spaces with pedestrian spaces through tall buildings and urban greening. Photo Didier Madoc.
City of London approves 60 Aldgate as part of the Minories Masterplan
The City of London Planning & Transportation Committee has approved architect ACME‘s next phase of 4C Hotel’s Minories Masterplan. The Masterplan includes a refurbished 342 bedroom hotel, a new 250,000 sq ft office building and 87 new homes, together with a landscaped park and urban squares.
Bank of England reduces Bank Rate from 0.75% to 0.25%
10 March 2020
The Bank of England reduced the Bank Rate from 0.75% to 0.25% and launched a Term Funding Scheme to assist households and businesses to cope with the disruption associated with Covid-19.
