London's crowded skyline: The SEVENTY new skyscrapers coming

's skyline is both iconic and always changing, with high-rise buildings continuously under construction to meet the ever-increasing demand to live in the bustling city.

Ambitious developers are lodging applications for innovative designs to follow the completion of the Shard, the Cheesegrater and other unique buildings in the capital in recent years.

It comes after the surprise rejection of The Tulip last year, a 'phallic-shaped' observation tower that would have soared over the City of London.

But other applications have had greater success, including the 260-metre Diamond building at 100 Leadenhall Street which is set to help form a 'mountain peak' formation of skyscrapers in the central cluster.

The 36-storey 50 Fenchurch Street will also add another dynamic to the central London skyline, including another public viewing platform providing views of the city.

The London skyline will continue to grow with the construction of three developments at 55, 70 and 85 Gracechurch Street

50 Fenchurch Street (pictured in green) will be located in the eastern City cluster, adding to the Walkie Talkie building and the Cheesegrater in recent years

The buildings highlighted in yellow and blue in the Square Mile are either being proposed or are already under construction

Elsewhere, the redevelopment of the former Television Centre is nearing completion in White City and the expansion of Canary Wharf on the other side of the city continues to gather pace.

The London Tall Buildings Survey, published by New London Architecture, provides a detailed insight of the skyscrapers coming to the capital and how they will change the landscape forever.

MailOnline has taken a look at the projects taking place and the impact they will have on London. 

216 Blackfriars Road

Height: 91m

Completion date: 2026

The 22-storey office tower block redevelopment will see a pub moved to a new location and enlarged, while a new garden will also be created

The current site at 216-220 Blackfriars Road comprises of almshouses owned by Southwark Charities, along with Prince William Henry pub, built in 1973.

The almshouses provide accommodation for elderly people who have lived in the borough for at least five years and are only charged for maintenance.

But they are to be replaced by a 22-storey office building and a separate 15-storey almshouse looking out to a new garden next to Chancel Street.

The Prince William Henry Pub will also be relocated to the north-west corner, where it will double in size and include outside seating. 

50 Fenchurch Street

Height: 149m

Completion date: 2028

An artist's impression of the 492ft tower at 50 Fenchurch Street will contain state-of-the-art technology and amenities, with its tenth floor providing a 360-degree 'public realm experience'

50 Fenchuch Street, a 35-storey tower, designed by architect Eric Parry, features a hanging garden across the exterior and a public viewing terrace at level 10

The tenth floor of the tower has been designed with a protruding terrace providing a large space and views across the city

The 36-storey building in the City aims to realise a goal for 'a greener, more environmentally sustainable Square Mile'.

It will contain state-of-the-art technology and amenities, with its tenth floor providing a 360-degree 'public realm experience'.

The new skyscraper would replace what is currently a seven-storey office building which has been occupied by the Clothworkers Livery Company for almost 500 years. 

It also includes two listed buildings, the Grade I-listed Tower of All Hallows Staining and the Grade II-listed Lambe's Chapel Crypt.

40 Leadenhall

Height: 154m

Completion date: 2023

The building consists of stepped blocks towards the River Thames and Tower of London and is expected to be completed during the autumn later this year

One of the largest schemes ever to have received planning permission in central London, the 34-storey tower built across 90,000sq ft will accommodate up to 10,000 people upon completion.

The building consists of stepped blocks towards the River Thames and Tower of London and is expected to be completed during the autumn later this year.

It will have space to host a number of office tenants, with retail frontages at street level.

Ken Shuttleworth, the founding director of Make Architects, said: 'We're proud to be shaping not only London's skyline but also the future of the workplace with 40 Leadenhall. 

'Our design combines extensive amenity and social spaces, heritage assets, and a rational approach to produce a timeless and elegant addition to the City.'

8 Bishopsgate

Height: 203m

Completion date: 2023

The 50-storey tower at 8 Bishopsgate will stand close to the recently-built 22 Bishopsgate - the tallest building in the Square Mile

The 50-storey building will create 913,000sq ft of workspace, occupier amenity and street-level retail space along with a public viewing gallery on the top floor.

Located on the corner of two of London's most prominent streets, 8 Bishopsgate will boast uninterrupted views across St Paul's and the rest of the city.

It is also just a stone's throw from the 278-metre 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest tower in the Square Mile.

99 City Road 

Height: 153m

Completion date: 2023

The current site, located across the road from Old Street underground station, will be partially demolished and replaced by a 35-storey tower

Located across the road from Old Street underground station, the 35-storey commercial office building will include around 21,500sq ft of publicly accessible space.

It is currently the base of the satellite communications firm Inmarsat, but it is planning to leave the 1980s site.

It has been partially demolished to create greater public space around the building, while green terraces will also be featured within the tower. 

85 Gracechurch Street

Height: 138m

Completion date: Awaiting planning permission 

The 138-metre tower would be entirely electric, while the proposals also include rejuvenating Leadenhall Market with a civic public hall and public garden

Plans for a 32-storey mixed-use office tower have been submitted at 85 Gracechurch Street, central London

A planning application has been submitted for a 33-storey building comprising mostly of office use.

The all-electric tower is set to include a public gallery and winter garden offering views across the city. 

Also included in the proposals are plans to rejuvenate the adjacent Leadenhall market with a civil public hall, a heritage garden open to the public and 35,000sq m of office space.

330 Grays Inn Road 

Height: 51m

Completion date: 2027

A hotel will incorporate a hospital building created in the 19th century, along with flexible office space and penipu a ground floor cafe

Part of a wider masterplan to regenerate the site, 330 Grays Inn Road will comprise of a new 182-room hotel, 72 homes and commercial space gathered around two courtyards.

The hotel will incorporate a hospital building built in the 19th century, along with flexible office space and a ground floor cafe.

A seven-storey office building will include two floors that are lab-enabled for knowledge quarter uses, while a pedestrian route from King's Cross to Mount Pleasant will also feature. 

100 Leadenhall Street

Height: 260m

Completion date: 2027

The 56-storey tower set for 100 Leadenhall St will join the growing cluster of Square Mile skyscrapers and will be the financial district's third-tallest building when completed

The Diamond building at 100 Leadenhall St (highlighted in blue) will help create the 'mountain peak' formation of skyscrapers in the City of London's cluster

The 56-storey tower The Diamond (centre) has been described as the 'big brother' of the nearby 122 Leadenhall St, better known now as the Cheesegrater

100 Leadenhall will add to the City's skyscrapers after being granted planning permission this year

The 57-storey tower will join the growing cluster of Square Mile skyscrapers and will be the financial district's third-tallest building when completed.

The skyscraper is also expected to be the first in the UK to achieve net-zero operational carbon. 

Due to its significant tapering the building has been described as the 'big brother' of the nearby 122 Leadenhall St, better known now as the Cheesegrater.

Despite objections raised by St Paul's Cathedral over sight line, the City's planning and transportation committee voted 22-2 in favour of the new build back in 2018.

Its architects Skidmore, Owings & Merril designed One World Trade Center in New York and the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

5-9 Rockingham Street and 2-4 Tiverton Street

Height: 260m

Completion date: 2024

Hundreds of bedspaces will be delivered when the 5-9 Rockingham Street and 2-4 Tiverton Street tower project is completed next year

The project, due for completion next year, will include hundreds of student bed spaces, or dorms, along with commercial or retail space on the ground floor.

Alongside the 24-storey tower, the proposals include bringing the adjacent railway arches back into use and the creation of a pedestrian route and public realm.

Located in Elephant and Castle, the application was approved by Southwark Council earlier this year and is said to represent 'optimisation of a brownfield site'.

20 and 22 Ropemaker Street

Height: 110m

Completion date: 2023

The 27-storey office tower, located by Moorgate underground station, comes as demand for workspace in London continues to grow

Despite the increasing tendency of employees choosing to work from home following the Covid pandemic, demand for office space in London remains high.

The 27-storey building will bring more than 42,000sq m of office space to Islington, along with prime retail spots, upon completion later this year.

Located a short distance from Moorgate underground station, the site will create a bookend for emerging towers around Citypoint and the Elizabeth Line entrance.

Frank Filskow, lead architect, said: 'We're really excited to work on this next generation of office building, which is designed to foster engagement and enhance occupants' wellbeing.'

Building 1, Bankside Yards West

Height: 70m

Completion date: 2025

Building 1, part of the Bankside Yards West project, will be a 70m tower providing 80,000sq ft of office space along London's South Bank

The all-electric tower will provide another 80,000sq ft of office space along the South Bank in Blackfriars Street, Southwark.

The riverfront building will boast seven double-height terraces on alternating corners that will provide views of St Paul's, the City and Canary Wharf.

Building 1 is just the first of eight in the project, each of which will sit above 14 grand arches and complete the walkway from Royal Festival Hall to the Tate Modern.

Colechurch House

Height: 104m

Completion date: 2025

The 22-storey Colechurch House tower will help to transform the London Bridge area by providing office space, shops and a restaurant

The 22-storey building, next to London Bridge, is set to transform the wider area by removing the current outdated building.

The mixed-use tower will provide offices, shops, a restaurant and performance spaces.

along with a new footbridge connecting the site with London Bridge station. A public car park will also run underneath the building, helping to activate the area.

A public park on the South Bank and theatre space will also be created as part of the project, which is due for completion in two years.

Gasworks

Height: 150m

Completion date: 2030

Plans to overhaul the former gasworks site in Old Kent Road are in their infancy, but provide 700 new homes upon completion in 2030

The former gasworks site in Old Kent Road, Southwark, will be transformed to include both a 30-storey and 40-storey tower - together providing 700 new homes.

The two buildings will be connected via a lifted first floor courtyard garden and will sit above the Grade-II listed disused gasholder, which will be retained and incorporated within the park outside.

Gasworks also incorporates the extension of the Bakerloo Line, improving the connectivity of the area.

Plot A1, Canada Water

Height: 123m

Completion date: 2024

Part of a wider masterplan for the Surrey Quays area, the 35-storey Plot A1 will provide 186 homes and public spaces

Comprising of both office and residential space, the 35-storey tower will sit above the Surrey Quays shopping centre and adjacent to Canada Water underground station to the east of the city.

Plot A1, with Plot A2 to come later, will contain 186 homes with shops and restaurants at ground floor level.

Target completion for the buildings, along with new public spaces, is the end of next year. 

Powerhouse

Height: 123m

Completion date: 2024

For nearly 100 years, it provided the entire London Underground with electricity.

But since 2002, the majestic building that housed Lots Road Power Station in London's Chelsea has lain empty

Lots Road, pictured in the early 20th century, was the second of London's three power stations to be built - before Battersea but after Bankside in Southwark, which has housed the Tate Modern since 2000

The interior of the former power station has been transformed into a series of luxury apartments, including bedrooms like this with views of the Thames

This image shows how new owners who are willing to part with at least £1.7million could arrange and decorate their apartments

The redevelopment of the Lots Road Power Station is the last of London's three sites in the area to be transformed. 

Upon completion next year, the renamed Powerhouse in Burnaby Street will be home to 260 residential unites arranged around a central atrium.

For 100 years, the site provided the entire London Underground with electricity, but it has lain empty since 2002.

Initial computer-generated images show how, much like the £9billion redevelopment of the nearby Battersea Power Station, the exterior of the building has retained much of its original structure, whilst the inside has been transformed into a luxurious development.

Vauxhall Cross Island

Height: 185m

Completion date: TBC

Vauxhall Cross Island, which will include two large towers, will create around 2,000 jobs in a hotel and shops

Vauxhall Cross Island is a response to Lambeth Council's desire for a new district centre by creating a vibrant public square in Nine Elms Lane.

The project, which includes two towers of 53 and 42 storeys, will reportedly create around 2,000 jobs within the area.

Also included would be space for offices, shops and a hotel.

Developer Zaha Hadid was last month forced to begin work on the project despite having yet failed to agree an essential land swap agreement with Transport for London, it is understood.

Vinegar Yard

Height: 97m

Completion date: 2028

Vinegar Yard will be a life sciences-led tower at London Bridge, which will also provide improvements to public areas and create retail and office space

The building, which will have a focus on life sciences, is under construction as the flagship of the Life Science and Innovation District at London Bridge.

It also aims to make public realm improvements and will accommodate retail, commercial and affordable workspace.

As part of the project, an existing warehouse is being retrofitted for community use for ground floor retail space, along with first floor space for events and exhibitions. 

Waterloo Hub

Height: 43m

Completion date: 2025

The 14-storey tower in Waterloo will replace a hotel with a larger and more modern alternative providing 193 additional rooms

The Waterloo Hub, in Kennington Road, will rejuvenate the intersection site opposite the Imperial War Museum.

It will include an array of geothermal bore holes to recover heat from the air, water and earth - reducing demand on the energy grid.

The 14-storey building will replace the current hotel, which will be partly demolished, and have 355 bedrooms - compared to the current 162.

7 Brannan Street, Wood Wharf

Height: 146m

Completion date: 2029

7 Brannan Street, part of the Wood Wharf project, will contain hundreds of student accommodation units by completion in 2029

The purpose-built development will be contain 912 student bedrooms across a range of types and sizes, along with some retail space.

It will contain a south-facing roof terrace boasting panoramic views of London, while tenth-floor amenities will face the Blackwall Basin.

David Henderson, partner at the architect Howells, said: 'F1 Wood Wharf is a new 912-room student accommodation development that contributes to the ongoing evolution of Canary Wharf as a metropolitan centre, and as a 15-minute city. 

'This slender, elegant landmark tower has a clear identity that underpins the wider vision for Wood Wharf, whilst being designed to offer exemplary, affordable, high-quality student amenity and accommodation and to be a truly sustainable building with a commitment to the health and well-being of the students and the environment.'

302-312 Stratford High Street 

Height: 82m

Completion date: 2025

The transformation of Stratford will continue with the completion of a 25-storey tower providing work spaces and student homes in 2025

The 25-storey tower in east London will include workspace for creatives and small start-ups, along with a community-run pub.

Most of the building will comprise of student homes for those studying at Queen Mary University, University College London and University of the Arts London. 

It will also boast a number of transport links including both underground and overground lines.

The tower is located near the Olympic Park, while the Westfield shopping centre is also accessible via a bridge.

2 Trafalgar Way

Height: 137m

Completion date: 2025

The three adjoining towers at 2 Trafalgar Way, near Canary Wharf, will provide 1,672 student accommodation units and 80 residential dwellings

2 Trafalgar Way is set to become the largest Passivhaus student accommodation scheme in Europe upon completion in 2025.

The project comprises of three towers of 28, 36 and 46 storeys - providing 1,672 student beds and 80 residential apartments.

They will sit above a four-storey podium which will contain 41,000 sq ft of commercial office, indoor soft play and retail space. 

Cuba Street

Height: 171m

Completion date: 2026

The 421-flat tower block, another development at Canary Wharf, will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the UK upon completion

The 51-storey building in Canary Wharf will consist of 421 units of both private and affordable residential dwellings, along with a flexible unit on the ground floor for public use.

The 421-flat tower block will be one of the tallest residential buildings in the UK when it is completed in 2026.

Plans for the development were approved this year after the application was amended due to an 11th-hour objection from London Fire Brigade over the building having only one exit staircase.

The developer, Ballymore, subsequently added another staircase to its plans and the application was given the green light by Tower Hamlets Council.

Evergreen Point at Twelvetrees Park

Height: 107m

Completion date: 2025

A vast brownfield site will be transformed into nearly 4,000 new homes, a science academy and large green space as part of the project

The Evergreen Point project in Plaistow will transform 26 acres of brownfield land into 3,810 homes alongside commercial space and a science academy.

A community centre will also be set within significant landscaped open space, while a number of infrastructure upgrades will be made - including a new entrance to West Ham station.

Manor Road

Height: 112m

Completion date: 2024

The 33-storey tower at 300 Manor Road, part of a wider residential-led plan, will feature more than 800 new homes and a new park

300 Manor Road is a residential-led plan that will see seven buildings, including a 33-storey tower, alongside the A13 in east London.

The project, due for completion next year, will contain 804 homes - half of which will be affordable.

The first phase of the project also include a public realm that forms the start of a new park connecting with Canning Town station.

The main tower will be glazed in terracotta in diminishing shades of blue to reference the change in scale of surrounding built forms and distance from which the tower can be seen. 

New Bermondsey, Phase 1

Height: 114m

Completion date: 2026

The New Bermondsey projects includes the construction of three adjoining towers containing 600 new homes, each with their own balcony or winter garden

An overhead view of the project, with a number of residential tower blocks being constructed in the Lewisham area of south-east London

Built on land to the north of the Surrey Canal, the New Bermondsey project will see three identical towers containing 600 properties.

Each of the homes, 200 of which will be affordable, will contain their own balcony or winter garden, as well as access to communal gardens.

The building will also have its own cafe, exercise space, an informal children's area and an 800-person auditorium. 

One North Quay

Height: TBC

Completion date: 2026

The tower block at One North Quay, another development at Canary Wharf, will become a 23-storey vertical campus for tech and science labs

The 23-storey vertical campus will be Europe's largest and most technologically advanced commercial health and sciences lab upon completion in 2026.

Set to become a 'beacon' for Canary Wharf, the building consists of a stack of 'neighbourhoods' with interconnecting communal spaces promoting social interaction.

The building will also have community spaces on the ground and first floor, along with a cafe and break-out areas for conferences.

At the top, a sky lounge and terrace will provide spectacular views back towards the City. 

Trocoll House

Height: 97m

Completion date: 2025

The Trocoll House redevelopment, opposite Barking station, will see the current site replaced with a 28-storey tower containing nearly 200 homes

Adjacent to Barking station, Trocoll House will see the transformation of the site and creation of a new gateway into the town.

The project will help with the regeneration of the area with 198 built-to-rent apartments aimed at attracting local people and young professionals to the area. 

Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said last year: 'This agreement means a tired, tatty old building will be replaced, providing nearly 200 new homes for local people.'

Apex Nine Elms

Height: 83m

Completion date: 2027

The Apex 1 building, a very short distance from the new Nine Elms underground station on the Northern line, will contain more than 200 new homes

Just a short distance from the new Nine Elms underground station, the Apex 1 building is a 26-storey project that will include the creation of 201 new homes.

The building will comprise of one, two and three-bedroom homes along with associated amenity and retail space.

Apex 1 will complete the first phase of the New Covent Garden Market redevelopment and will 'set the standard for the vibrant new neighbourhood'.

Middlesex Business Centre, Southall - Phase 1

Height: 90m

Completion date: 2029

The complete overhaul of Middlesex Business Centre will see more than 2,000 homes built upon completion, but the first phase will see more than 800 along with a hotel and retail space

The first phase of the extensive redevelopment of Middlesex Business Centre will see 867 new homes, with 2,083 to be built when the entire project is completed.

Also included in the first stage will be a 180-room hotel and flexible retail space across eight buildings - varying in height from four to 27 storeys.

The listed Margarine Works development will be retained as part of the works, which will provide properties with access to the Elizabeth Line and central London. 

Television Centre - Phase 2

Height: 85m

Completion date: 2026

Developers said they had tried to maintain the original feel of the historic site, and have tried to use some of it famous features in their design

The 24-storey tower is one of eight plots within the Television Centre scheme and will form the counterpoint of the project in White City, west London.

The second phase of the project will comprise a total of 511 new homes in four separate plots, along with the creation of a second entrance to the site.

The first phase was completed in March 2018, with new apartments and 45 Soho House hotel rooms inside the original doughnut shaped building, that was built between 1948 and 1960.