Developers with ambitions for ‘best office space in Hackney’ want permission for more space

Hackney Town Hall

Developers said they want to build the “best office space in Hackney” with a multi-storey development on the borders of Shoreditch and the City.

The plans for a stepped four- to 20-storey building on Christopher Street got the green light last year, but the developers want permission for a larger development with another floor.

The site is on the fringe of the City, close to a data centre used by the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

Developers Edge teamed up with Japanese investor Mitsui Fudosan to buy the site from the LSE for a reported £150m.

They are aiming to create a green building designed by architects AHMM.

The development team from Edge answered questions at a pre-application meeting this week that gave councillors a chance to learn more about the proposals.

What Edge Shoreditch could look like

The scheme includes knocking down existing 1960s and 1980s office buildings. The facade of a late Victorian block on Earl Street will stay.

The developers previously refurbished the Tea Building in Shoreditch and the Television Centre at White City in west London.

If the Christopher Street scheme wins approval, work could start in 2024 and will take three years.

Plans include what the developers call a “public room” which people can “wander through”.

“Office buildings shouldn’t feel intimidating to enter,” said Rob Winter. “We are very keen that it isn’t alien to the borough.

“It’s about building the best-in-class building.”

He acknowledged that it has a “large floorplate” on the street, and said the clients have been pushing hard for a green building.

The plan includes stepping to try to minimise the visual impact on the street.

There will be shops with a colonade on Crown Place and the developers are keen to team up with workspace company Trampery, with members’ lounges and mentoring.

The developers also want green space on every floor.

They recently met with the Hackney Society to discuss their plans.

Councillors wanted to hear about the impact on a Georgian row of offices on Christopher Street opposite the proposed block.

The developers said they felt multiple tiers and greenery would “enhance” the street, compared to the scheme that has already been given planning permission.

Councillors also wanted to know more about bike storage and pointed out that double storage of bikes was not very practical for some cyclists.

The scheme will provide storage for 1,150 bikes and could expand this.