A planning application has been submitted by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to redevelop 1 Silk Street in the City of London, replacing Linklaters’ current headquarters with two 20-story towers. Commissioned by Lipton Rogers on behalf of LaSalle Investment Management, the proposal calls for the demolition of a 1980s office complex—Milton House and Shire House—and the construction of 91,000 square meters of commercial space, along with 2,200 squeare meters of retail and community uses.
The scheme includes a new public plaza near the Barbican Arts Centre and 2,400 square meters of public realm enhancements, aiming to boost pedestrian connectivity and revitalize the local streetscape. Though the existing buildings will be removed down to ground level, their basements and foundations—around 40 perecnt of the current structure—will be retained. New green terraces, street-level planting, and trees are expected to increase the site’s biodiversity by over 350 percent.
The current buildings are soon to fall short of energy efficiency standards, prompting redevelopment. Linklaters is set to vacate the site in 2026 for new offices at 20 Ropemaker.
SOM partner Kent Jackson described the project as a “bold new landmark” supporting the City’s “Destination City” strategy, while enhancing the cultural identity of the Barbican area. Demolition is expected to take a year, with the full development targeted for completion in 2032.
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