IN Brief:
- JPMorgan is preparing a planning application for a 265m tower at Riverside South.
- The scheme would deliver around 3 million sq ft of Grade A office space for up to 12,000 staff.
- Existing foundations and basement works could help accelerate delivery once consent is secured.
JPMorgan Chase has moved closer to a full planning application for its long-discussed Riverside South headquarters after resolving height restrictions linked to nearby London City Airport.
The proposed tower would rise to 265 metres, making it the tallest building in Canary Wharf and overtaking One Canada Square. Designed by Foster + Partners, the scheme is set to provide around 3 million sq ft of Grade A office space and bring together the bank’s London operations in a single base with capacity for up to 12,000 staff.
The airport safeguarding issue had been a major constraint on the scheme because of the steep approach path into London City. With that hurdle cleared, attention now shifts to planning, design development, and the wider delivery strategy for a site that has sat partially built below ground level for years. Riverside South already has foundations and basement structures in place from the earlier iteration of the project, which could help shorten the route into main construction.
Canary Wharf Group is expected to act as co-developer, and the build programme is expected to run for around six years once planning consent is secured. For the Docklands market, the scheme would represent one of the largest office developments now moving back toward delivery, bringing a substantial commercial package into a district where major occupier confidence still carries weight across the supply chain.
