Mace has been selected by Hertshten Properties as the construction partner for a 30-storey mixed-use tower at 85 Gracechurch Street in the City of London, with the project approved by the City of London Corporation in October 2023. Designed by Woods Bagot, the development will replace a 1930s office block, providing approximately 21,830 square meters of office space, retail, and cultural facilities.

Located in the Leadenhall Market Conservation Area, adjacent to the Grade II-listed Leadenhall Market, the tower will feature a publicly accessible events space on the 29th floor with a 270-degree terrace offering views across London. Archaeological remains of the city’s first Roman Basilica will be preserved and displayed at basement level, integrating historical elements into the modern design.

The building is designed to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating, operating entirely on electricity with energy-efficient mechanical systems, a high-performance facade, and natural ventilation to minimize operational carbon. The facade will use a unitized curtain wall system with external shading to reduce solar gain, with stone and precast concrete at lower levels to harmonize with the historic surroundings and glazed curtain walling with deep reveals and vertical mullions on upper floors for solar control.

Urban greening is a key focus, with biodiversity roofs, landscaped terraces, and greened colonnades along Gracechurch Street. The project includes 440 cycle parking spaces—400 for occupants and 40 for visitors—along with basement-level showers, lockers, and drying rooms. Construction will involve deep excavation and a top-down approach using a secant piled retaining wall system, with pre-fabricated elements and a just-in-time logistics strategy to reduce emissions and disruption on the constrained site.

Public realm enhancements, developed with Publica, include reinstating a pedestrian link between Gracechurch Street and Lime Street Passage, supported by granite paving, trees, seating, and improved lighting. The project aims for completion in 2030, with Mace currently in the pre-construction services agreement phase.

“This scheme is a unique opportunity to deliver a sustainable and forward-thinking office while responding to its historic context,” said Ged Simmonds, Managing Director for Private Sector at Mace Construct. Ron Hertshten, Chief Executive of Hertshten Properties UK, added: “The tower will set a new benchmark for sustainable office space in the City.”

The development balances modern sustainability with historical preservation, enhancing London’s urban landscape while supporting environmental and community goals.