Iceni planning and heritage have been advising GMS Estates on this site since 2020 to explore alternative uses for this vacant grade II office building to secure its long-term viable future.

The building is located on Cannon Street was originally constructed in 1895 and has most recently sustained long periods of vacancy since 2018. This is primarily due to its compartmentalised layout which no longer meets modern day market requirements for open plan spaces.

A range of options were considered by the design team, and it was determined that the building’s most viable long-term use is to convert it to serviced apartments. This use required the least interventions to the existing floor plates and would deliver much needed short stay accommodation within the heart of London.

We were tasked with navigating the City of London’s challenging loss of office policy and marketing requirements. This included engagement with officers and councillors, who accepted that office use is no longer viable, and that a serviced apartment use would be appropriate for the site.

The application was submitted in late 2022 and was approved under delegated authority in May 2023.