1 Undershaft: Why No One Wants This London Skyscraper

[@TheB1M]

1 Undershaft has now been given the go-ahead by the City of London, meaning once completed, it'll become Western Europe's joint tallest skyscraper at 309.6m. But its near decade long journey has been far from smooth and there are still those against its construction. See why in this video.

[@jtwjtw1996]

Hope they make it 309.7m now 😂

[@AYouTubeCommenterWhoHasABrain]

6:33 "the Shart" hehehe 😅💩

[@markfoster7949]

How about build them next to shard at 330 meters to 340meters?

[@maxafc4695]

I used to work in St Helens, it is a basic outdated office building, it really does not need preserving and no one will miss it

[@a1white]

Maybe a modern refurbishment would be helpful then. The construction style is unique, as explained in the video and architecturally it’s a good example of the style of the time.its height is not overly oppressive either, which is important in that location

[@benusmaximus3601]

It looks hidious anyway - just like the Natwest Tower 42 - the 1960s weren't a great time for skyscraper construction, the black exterior is just so depressing...

[@sarahlouise7163]

@@benusmaximus3601 the proposed building is 10x uglier

[@sarahlouise7163]

alrighty

[@supersuede91]

It looks like a relic of the 1990s - get it the hell outta here

[@BenLuis732]

I’m a contractor that works for a company that looks after most of the office blocks in the centre of London. And I can confirm that the majority of space is still empty after Covid and does not look like it will fill up soon.

[@d.b.cooper1]

@@bill9540 ***It's a prime location & key tennants like rest of the firms are now focussed on downsizing with a focus on quality over quantity. Just like the building this office will replace, a lot of the London skyscrapers are very old with a nice glass facade, high running costs & worse facilities than newer places. Hence why globally the new office skyscrapers haven't seized.

[@AL-lh2ht]

How are people confused about not all office space being the same?

[@Soraviel]

Nuts how they thought it was a good idea to go ahead build these things (smh), btw I live very close to the city of London and some of these sky scrapers are a eye sore😂😂😂

[@dannyward673]

Ben the majority of office space that is vacant in the sq mile is not solely due to the pandemic. All office space must meet new requirements such as well being and most importantly central government energy efficiency grade. This must be met by 2030 or major penalties will incur along with key tenants not wanting to touch that space. That means all the empty office space you see is in fact the owners deciding if it’s feasible to spend that sort of money on the asset or sell it on for someone else to do it. Actually there is a demand for office space at present and you will see major construction activity incoming within the coming years to meet that energy efficiency requirement. It will peak around 2028.

[@craigfroude8109]

Agreed. I own a fit out comapny in central London and demand for office space is low.. ISG going under is just the start…

[@RH1812]

There’s a need for office space in London? I thought there were loads of empty offices?

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Exactly. I thought it was completely opposite now. What on earth is going on?

[@spaceghost4474]

It's basically the same thing that's happening in New York. These projects are basically places for the Ultra rich to bury money. If you look at BILLIONAIRES ROW in New York, you'll see that many of those buildings are 70 to 80 percent empty. Many of the new office buildings are the same.

[@seafighter4]

​@@danielwhyatt3278B1M is a pretty-pictures channel more focussed on telling a story than telling the truth. I wouldn't focus too much on what they are claiming.

[@lodgin]

@@danielwhyatt3278 Employers dragging their employees back to the office, probably

[@leohickey4953]

When HSBC move out of their tower at Canary Wharf, the plan is to turn it into flats. One Canada Square only has a fraction of the occupancy it had pre-Covid; same story in several of the buildings in the City. There really doesn't seem to be any great demand for more tall buildings in London, but they keep wanting to build them.

[@keeperofthecheese]

For me, the most controversial thing about this skyscraper is how extremely dull its design is. At 6:30 you DEFINITELY said "The Shart" XD

[@Yasin_Affandi]

Yes, modern highrise buildings and skyscrapers could be a design from a cookie cutter with different coatings. But have you seen some of the skyscrapers in KL, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The most iconic is the Petronas Twin Towers, 451 metres high, completed in 1998, it's really beautiful especially at night and the latest is Merdeka 118 Tower, with a height of 679 metres, structure completed in 2023, the 2nd tallest building in the world. Even the Telekom Tower is quite unique and beautiful. 😀

[@SniffieBear]

"equaling the shart" that's what I heard too.

[@althejazzman]

Huhu. You said "shart"

[@jackhamrogue9708]

💩

[@michaelcoulson2686]

These super high skyscrapers need to be unique in design. The proposal of this building is unimpressive.

[@Azeria]

0:11 I definitely read that as Thundershaft which is frankly a much cooler name

[@yash.mahadik]

True

[@mattwoodard2535]

Not the only one. sm

[@GenX-jedi]

Wast that in Jeff Wayne’s war of the worlds 😂

[@matthook2530]

Thundershaft should be put forward.

[@zlozlozlo]

Maybe they could start by changing the name. "One Undershaft" is quite possibly the worst name for a building I've ever heard.

[@KingFinnch]

it's the address, the street is called undershaft

[@zlozlozlo]

@@KingFinnch yea I get that, but there is no law stating that the building has to be named after the street. The Shard is not on Shard Street.

[@MissionHomeowner]

It is historical and literary. Remember GB Shaw's Andrew Undershaft? Great name, would make me rent there rather than at a less distinguished name, all other things being equal.

[@andyalder7910]

@@MissionHomeowner Maybe he was named after St Andrew Undershaft Church which the street is named after.

[@JimTheFly]

I thought the one in my town on Avenue B was bad: The Building On B. No, seriously, that's what they called it during construction. Then they just changed it to the name of the cross-street and "West", IIRC, once it was built

[@raytrevor1]

Ever growing need for office space? I understood that many London offices were now empty and unrentable due to working from home?

[@Mabstube]

Precisely

[@zSion]

nope

[@theinternetofrandomthings7796]

What's happened is a centralisation of the office demands, and this is for high quality offices. A lot of the older stock is very poor on environmental and energy efficiency requirements, and is either sitting empty, or up for redevelopment. This redevelopment is often challenging as some buildings are listed, or in conservation areas.

[@minhajnizam5090]

Alot of old offices have closed down. Newer ones are more environmentally friendly and have more modern amenities

[@d.b.cooper1]

Nope, a lot of employers clamped down on wfh a while ago, (even those who said they wouldn't) The focus is now back on quality over quantity when it comes to office space. I've seen this from central London right through to Newcastle. Even firms that have hybrid wfh need newer but smaller offices that are cheaper to run but are modern/high quality.

[@NicolasMignan]

The previous design for this skyscraper was so much better

[@TedJM]

i agree, the trellace design had so much more style compared with the spoon

[@superman_69703]

I was going to make this exact comment

[@AnonymousCapybara2050]

@@bill9540 More like the John Hancock Center which has the cross bracing running up it.

[@DomGaccioli]

The original design reminds me of the Bow Tower in Calgary AB, Canada. Quite a pretty building, although only 238m tall.

[@FoxOnFilm2209]

The new on looks like a tower block from the 70s

[@Jhetx]

Most impressive thing here is that the top floor is actually being used! Well done!

[@mikethespike7579]

The building hasn't even been erected yet. How on earth can its top floor be used?

[@Jhetx]

@@mikethespike7579 in the concept / design you slower than a sloth, butter for brains, IQ as low the ground where cows walk and waht the matter consists of…. You actually got worked up over this?

[@Incab]

Just a render. If it does go like that then a lot of it will be walled off. The condensers alone need massive space and aren't in the image on top. The compressors are LOUD when they go on and have to be on one of the top floors. The piping, plumbing, elevator shafts.. it goes on. If the top floor is a viewing center then where is it all going?

[@eddiewalpole]

​@@Incab All that stuff can be on technical floors below the top one I presume.

[@Incab]

@@eddiewalpole Condensers have to be outside. For buildings like that the pumps running them huge are insanely loud. Compressors also are huge and insanely loud. Got to get water up to the top of the building and that requires huge pumps. The noise from both can be heard on the floor below. Same as elevator stuff. That has to be above though not really loud. Unless the main cable breaks and then the whole building can hear it. A top floor like in the picture like that would have to be stairs up only. You'd still need equipment shacks on top. Wi-fi, antennas, lightning rods, line of sight senders and receivers, dishes and so forth.

[@fettywap1738]

What a name. Undershaft

[@Beauloqs]

When it's done. 'shafted'.

[@andyalder7910]

Goes back to a 15th century Maypole.

[@wafflexboy]

By the same people who brought you the Shart

[@beejereeno2]

ikr? 😬

[@Soraviel]

😂😂😂😂

[@zaturntarto3814]

I would say, this ad placement on this video about Allianz is the best and I watched that ad fully, it never felt like a random out of the video ad.

[@althejazzman]

It's also not your usual VPN / meal plan sponsor!

[@KSweeney36]

I loved when I drove past Amsterdam on holiday earlier this year. The buildings that I could see from the motorway were all different and unique and looked amazing. All the new buildings in London and Manchester are just variations of a glass box.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

'Should have gone to SpecSavers' comes to mind....

[@cheekytyke]

Both London and Manchester are progressive. They look fantastic. Reminds me of New York ❤

[@Parakeet-pk6dl]

I think developers and architects should start by designing buildings that are pretty. With projects like the Singer Building, there was also a benefit to those just walking by...

[@TheB1M]

💯

[@kod-s]

Developers always prioritise more square meters over quality square meters. The architects are ultimately the servants of the developers and just follow suit. All the decore, quality materials, and creature comforts will fly off the project in round one of value engineering.

[@Parakeet-pk6dl]

@@kod-s Well then it's quite logical that people start protesting. I think we should do that a lot more to be honest; I don't understand why we accept money to destroy the beauty of our cities...

[@johnperic6860]

@@kod-s@kod-s Well, that's not true; if it was, you wouldn't see buildings given complex and expensive to build designs, such as the Gherkin or the Walkie-Talkie. Even this building's design has a gigantic cantilever, which is notoriously expensive to build.

[@SuperErickelrojo]

Bring Art-Deco back, please!!

[@terminationshock1356]

4:57 That's Catania, Sicily for anyone interested. The enclosed overpass is where the clausure nuns would walk to get from the monastery to the church on the other side of the street. The street pavement is made of lava tiles, hence the dark color

[@nailil5722]

a couple of frames makes you wonder if we really need all these skyscrapers in the first place

[@stephfoxwell4620]

I love Catania , Ragusa and Ortygia.

[@michelbruns]

i love londons mix of old and new buildings

[@FoxOnFilm2209]

Same here

[@StufffTV]

Was in the shard this year already seemed like enormously high, now another one the same height? Damn, took some beautiful pictures that city, London really has a beautiful skyline

[@TedJM]

i feel it only looks silly due to standing on its own 1 undershaft looks sensible because some of the surrounding buildings are 250m+ so it actually fits in

[@justinh3d]

I've been craving a walkie talkie sandwich so badly!

[@rabbit251]

The effect of suggestive psychology. A red bicycle would be useful around town.

[@johnadkins5918]

It’s all about Ego, “Look at my building, look how big it is, it’s the biggest “. I remember as a young boy watching the NatWest tower being built and thinking to myself how terrible it looked against the backdrop of London. London needs less office space not more, the only reason they keep wanting to build new is nobody wants to occupy the old office spaces as they are high maintenance and cost a lot to keep going.

[@stanvanillo9831]

8:41 if those windows are 3m tall then those people are between 40cm and 100cm tall

[@bill9540]

Exactly, good point👍

[@henryglennon3864]

Also, maximum manufacturable window size is determined by area. If the window are 3m tall, then they probably can't be as wide as shown. Even if they can be manufactured, they'd be crazy stupid expensive.

[@astrojonyk1978]

Always exciting to see something going on. But it is also a valid concern of whether it is actually needed.

[@svenlima]

Here in Switzerland more and more companies build their offices in the suburbs near train stations. This helps the employees because they can avoid traffic jams in the city centers. Some companies keep an office in town for marketing reasons: fancy addresses similar to "Wall Street".

[@piscesgroovesupreme]

London truly has one of the most ghastly skyline ever.

[@daydays12]

Agree...thoroughly transformed London for the worse

[@toystmusic]

Not sure about “growing need for office space”, feels more like a fire sale post-covid

[@masterbarnard]

Perhaps you could say there's a growing need for more high end office space though.

[@d.b.cooper1]

Wfh is really a hybrid model at even the most forward thinking firms that once said wfh was here to stay. Everyone now wants to downsize, with a focus on quality over quantity, which often is cheaper than older arrangements. There's defo a fire sale in the old places left behind, but the demand for newer stuff is still there. And generally being back in the office trend will only grow, even if for 1-3 days a week.

[@thevannmann]

Plenty of cities around the world are growing in need of premium office space.

[@andyhall7032]

maybe in canary wharf...not in the city...it's doing just fine.

[@mariusvanc]

Tons of old office space around. Premium and high end, not so much.

[@Sainsburys_Local]

City of London은 건물끼리 너무 가까워서 햇볕이 안 들어올 정도로 그림자가 짐. 차라리 부두가에 지어서 수로라는 자연 지형이 건물간에 간격 만들어주는 Canary wharf가 더 깔끔해 보임

[@robtyman4281]

The square mile does NOT need any more new high rise office space. The demand for it simply isn't there, like it was pre-pandemic.

[@josephwarner6005]

‘London is getting ready to welcome a new Goliath to its skyline’ … we’re talking about Fred’s biceps actually

[@blue_1247]

fred's getting huge 💪

[@chikken_soup]

London skyline will forever be marred by the walkie talkie

[@frippp66]

yes it is very ugly

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

Correct it's probably the worst building in the world

[@henryglennon3864]

​@@DewtbArenatsizBoston City Hall would like to have a word.

[@cmw3737]

The Walkie Talkie is like the sore thumb of the city but 22 Bishopsgate is far worse, the tallest building that ruins the varied curves of the gherkin and other shapes of the skyline by blocking half of it with a giant rectangular slab, especially if you're viewing it from the west.

[@etrur2595]

@@cmw3737 The Lloyds Tower's probably my favourite out of the lot tof be fair, has a unique design but also not offensively tall either

[@DoggoSantini]

As someone who works in the Lloyd's building I wish I'd known you were filming here! Would've loved to say hello - wonderful video as always! Excited to see how this develops and hope you cover more of this and others (40 Leadenhall specifically) as they begin (or don't!) being built

[@lzh4950]

Reminds me of the Pompidu centre in Paris

[@georgeealien]

After watching a lot of B1M videos lately, I've realized modern architects really love exposed support beams at the base of skyscrapers, a staircase-like design and so many green terraces dotted about.

[@Q3hero]

don't forget glass

[@JustRaiHere]

The thing that struck me when I visited London 30 years ago was its love of its history. I understand wanting to preserve its history and the challenge of keeping pace with modern needs. I think they are moving toward that balance by keeping the majority of the skyscrapers to one area with the Shard being an outlier. The view from the top of St. Paul's is spectacular and I would hate to see it diminish. Manhattan should not be the goal but a lesson. Do it better.

[@stevewells8152]

It’s surprising about the number of comments regarding empty buildings. I work for one of the many office fit out companies and a lot of the existing stock is currently unlettable due to impending changes in the EPC ratings of older buildings. This means many of the older buildings are currently undergoing major investment to improve old HVAC systems for electric alternatives and is also the reason why some owners have decided it’s cheaper to redevelop sites.

[@ergophonic]

I like this presenter. Very down to earth considering how much he talks about skyscrapers.

[@DavidS5118]

This part of London has almost no sun light due to all the tall buildings. Maybe that is just not important anymore (business over environment) but I think in the long run it matters.

[@zoeredadams]

noone lives there, if it was residential that'd be more of an issue

[@JohnFromAccounting]

I think it's probably fine considering the City of London is not a residential area. The main reason they're not getting sunlight is because they're in Britain.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Nice fantasy story, thanks for sharing.

[@nicksurface3513]

When has London ever had sun light?

[@nailil5722]

there is no one over there past 9pm

[@WizardsLore]

I used to work in the old CAI building that is now the cheesgrater, and i can tell you that open space in front of it between it and the church off St MArys axe is truly a great outdoor space

[@tomfoster29]

'Undershaft' lol

[@malavoy1]

Only in England.

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

Bring back gr0pe-c*** lane

[@longiusaescius2537]

@_chocky England? Don't you mean India?

[@fly463]

​@@longiusaescius2537 he meant Algeria

[@andrewmarkham]

⁠@@_chockyIt’s named after the maypole that used to be placed outside the church (I work there).

[@FedericoGalimbertiApparel]

Very well presented and informative! Great job Fred

[@llamaknight]

Godam I swear every time this channels posts a vid watching it feels like watching an 1h+ documentary in a cinema only to realise it's a KZbin vid

[@earthtaurus5515]

I agree, the only other channel that gives of similiar vibes is Hagerty and their Icon's series of videos on cars, the production quality is beyond top notch.

[@uingaeoc3905]

The street name reflects that there used to be a May Pole placed there on festival days. The local church is 'St Andrew's Undershaft', to differentiate it from 'St Andrew's By the Wardrobe' and 'St Andrew's Sherehog'.

[@theonik2006]

Demand for office space in London is definitely in decline. There is a lot of demand for housing. The reality of the situation is things have changed massively since it first got proposed in 2016, both practically, economically, and politically.

[@urbanstrencan]

Another awesome video, first time I heard about this project, keep up with great work ❤❤

[@Thomas-Bradley]

Rather than building another empty office towers, wouldn't it be more prudent to construct more housing instead?

[@levilurgy]

I visited that part of london last may and it's so fun to skate.

[@clivewilliams3661]

As an Architect, I am saddened by the proposals for the skyscrapers in the City. Architecture is about buildings and the space between buildings, it is not an unruly conglomeration of edifices to egos thrown together. London Planners ought to do their job and help design a place fit for Britain and the Capital. I am all for iconic buildings and space but the design should not be about the square foot it stands on but the area that it influences.

[@simonerossi6074]

The City of London and London in general have a disharmonic urban landscape.

[@Markdmarque]

Absolutely spot on!!!..The impact on the population is important!!!..The soul is being ripped out of our cities by these ugly blocks

[@thembadube9206]

The irony of Allianz sponsoring this video did not go unnoticed 😆

[@jessicalove9273]

Is there a lack of office space in London really? Is there something wrong with the old building? Isn't the redevelopment just a vanity project?

[@JohnnyZenith]

Yes there's a projected lack and demand is increasing. Next question. Yes the old building lacks the floor plate sizes and square meterage for modern use. It also lacks the modern lifestyle facilties and is likely less carbon friendly. Next question. Vanity project is an empty phrase too often thrown around. Just like HS2 is needed and isn't a vanity project.

[@iliamanolov5926]

@@JohnnyZenith Something can be needed and be a vanity project at the same time. Was the Lizzie line needed? Absolutely. Is it a success? Resoundingly so. Were most of the new stations dug for it massive vanity projects that were ridiculously and unnecessarily expensive? Also yes. We should encourage retrofitting and modernising infrastructure first (like the DLR and Overground) since it's much harder to pitch them as vanity projects, they can usually be done for much cheaper overall and are usually much more successful even if they don't perfectly cover areas of demand.

[@JohnnyZenith]

@iliamanolov5926 Wrong. So many poorly informed people around. That was a mess I'm afraid.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

@@iliamanolov5926 Your argument is very thin intellectually. Try harder next time please.

[@sticklebacketienne]

Most companies who make their office workers come into the office every day are financial services companies. They have wide margins and pay high salaries generally and it’s important in that industry to have a nice, modern, high-end office because 1. It makes it easier to hire and retain good employees and 2. It helps them make more money - if you’re a financial services company and you bring a prospective client into your office you’re going to be much more likely to win their business if you have a busy, productive-feeling office in a great location. Sets a good tone for meetings and impresses clients, making them trust you. There’s a tonne of really old and tired offices in the city that really are quite depressing to spend time in and are usually only let by small recruiting firms who can work from home

[@digabledoug]

I like the purity of the existing 60's building. Not the oversized jumbled monstrosity of scale and form of the proposed new tower.

[@Yasin_2312]

I don’t like it because the St Helen’s tower looks bland. If it was an Art Deco skyscraper similar to NYC’s old skyscrapers then it would look good.

[@EternalGoldenBraid]

The guy worrying about the area being in perpetual gloom is overlooking the entire country being in that state

[@Activation1111]

So they’re trading in one glass square box for another glass square box,, with a terrace?

[@williamlloyd3769]

Surprised there are enough companies willing to sign leases for construction to start. Who are the anchor tenants?

[@d.b.cooper1]

Still too early for any public deals, but ngl they'll deffo find a big tenant & few others. Office space/rent is a tiny cost to many big firms, simply a way to show off to others/attract top talent etc. They'll factor in a high vacancy rate for the first decade or so I imagine. The other public uses of the space could pay dividends in that time instead. The social, event space scence in London in skyscrapers has always been big.

[@markmh835]

I don't know if Fred enters body building competitions, but he really should. That t-shirt looks like it's going to burst! 😱😵😊👍

[@Daesig]

Nice video! I personally love the london skyscrapers and wish there were more.

[@mattt4309]

The Cheese Grater, Gherkin, Walkie Talkie, Milk Factory, and now a Yogurt Spoon ? LMAO XD

[@DEFarnes]

I am going to predict now the education centre won't happen and it will be even harder to get to the public garden than it is to get into the walkie Talkie garden.

[@bendavies3108]

The reason it hasn't been built is the anchor tenant had a lease until June 2024 for St Helens. I worked there until we moved out in Feb, the building is old and tired, slow lifts, no enough toilets for modern capacity. Plus the floorplate is tiny, the last refurb they shrank the desks to enable 4 people in a row. The building was designed to have offices with windows and internally typing pools in the core, no raised floor for comms etc. Not worth keeping. I agree the trellis looked better but think it suffered with floorplate issues as well, plus businesses want higher quality real estate with outside space now.

[@ebakkal]

Equaling the Shart 0:14

[@fixxxer1134]

Haha, I was gonna say something too!

[@GuruPhil_TDO]

Fred seems to be referring to it as The Shart throughout the video… 😅 💩🩲💦💨

[@5thdawg917]

I live in London & i get lost if i ever go inside the city. Theres been so many skyscrapers in recent time. When i was kid in the late 90s & early 00s there was only 1 skyscraper & then 2 when they made the gherkin. I find it amazing. I hope I'm able to see visit these places by going inside them one day. I've been inside the shard for 20 mins 😅 took a couple of pics for insta & then left. I didn't even know the shard was made in 2012, I found out in 2016 it was there. Even though I've lived in the capital all my life.

[@davidotoole9328]

There isn't an ever growing need for office space, for multiple reasons.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Says who?

[@AliciaSykes]

Is there an "ever growing demand of office space"? I work in the city, and it's literally half the amount of people compared to 15 years ago, many sky scrapers have multiple empty floors, especially upper floors of taller blocks.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Nice fantasy story, thanks for sharing.

[@JScot92]

Why does Canary Wharf's skyline always look so much more impressive than the City of London's? I can't put my finger on why the City's skyline looks so underwhelming.

[@evo_ds1946]

The skyscrapers in the city are clustered too close together, while Canary Wharfs have breathing room

[@joshua92jeffery]

The funky designs don't help. Canary wharf looks like a businesslike, functional place where serious people go to get shit done. The City on the other hand looks like someone went wild playing Cities: Skylines.

[@iliamanolov5926]

You could make arguments for both skylines really. Canary Wharf definitely looks tidier but it kinda blends in with all the other business districts in the world since it doesn't really have anything unique going for it. The City meanwhile looks like it developed a lot more naturally and it kinda "fits" into the city more. Although considering that Canary Wharf is in close proximity to other newly developed areas with skyscrapers like Stratford and Canning Town it's not completely out of place.

[@FoxOnFilm2209]

Canary wards skyline looks painfully bland

[@maroon9273]

​@@FoxOnFilm2209and lack density

[@jamesslate6664]

In major cities all across the United States, there are conversions of existing office space into residential units, simply because the need for office space has greatly diminished since the pandemic. This project might be more successful if it included residential units as well as retail, in addition to the office space.

[@BobbinMcferry]

The B1M could really do some good by showcasing housing projects that are efficiently and cheaply delivered. People need homes, not more towers for empty offices.

[@simonerossi6074]

Great. That's what we really need London, another creepy skyscraper. I used to work at Tower 42 till the beginning of this year, there were a lot of empty spaces and as the skyscraper next door was half empty most of the time. In this day and age of remote and home working, is there need for office space or is there need to keep the real estate bubble go?

[@l-b4330]

Bring it on!! love the transformation !!!!

[@Yasin_2312]

I liked the previous design of 1 Undershaft. It looks more majestic

[@favesongslist]

Is this about the "City of London" where I believe the rules are different than the rest of not just London but the UK?

[@lilbaz8073]

Yes. William the conqueror didn't take over the city. They did a deal. Recognised him as king but would keep their own laws and taxes (or no taxes).

[@simonerossi6074]

The City of London is the laundromat of all sorts of money from oligarchs, dictators and the likes. I think it was the New Statements that dedicated one of their issues to the City a decade ago. Real estate is the easiest and least creative way to launder money.

[@GazMoby]

Very enjoyable as always 👍

[@jerryjohns7358]

The Shard and the Shaft. 😢

[@pinview8519]

Hope there will be more transport links for the city workers. Used to commute on city-waterloo line and it is a very uncomfortable journey with long queues and packed carriages, especially during summer. It will get worse with more skyscrapers in the city if no major improvement is planned in its transport links.

[@Filboid2000]

Good God! "Iconic architecture"?! The Lloyd's Building looks like something transported from an oil refinery!!!

[@michaeld5888]

Interesting you saying that as when I saw it going up I was amazed they were building an oil refinery in the middle of a city.

[@JohnFromAccounting]

Industrial futurism is certainly a style of architecture. I'd say it's iconic.

[@vladsnape6408]

The word 'iconic' does not mean 'good looking' etc. It can just as well refer to a structure that makes you want to puke when you see it.

[@eddiewalpole]

It is iconic. Stay mad.

[@Infernal_Elf]

The excitement at start this is our hometurf!! :D

[@ryanf6530]

Looks great. Love the City of London skyline. Having historical buildings is nice but you've got to build for the future.

[@garryferrington811]

If you could just get rid of St. Paul's you could erect another steel-and-glass tower. And then there's Buckingham Palace and all those parks! Clear 'em out and build, build, build!

[@NormanGaming196]

@@garryferrington811 So dramatic, they are literally replacing a crap tower with a better one, how is that a problem or comparable to knocking down history

[@keithwarrington2430]

whatever you choose to build is " for the future" duh

[@Markdmarque]

Most of the old historical buildings will outlast these towering monstrosities by centuries. The reinforced concrete will decay in a shorter timescale than most of the exquisite Victorian architecture. Modern buildings are failing in a big way!!

[@alanbudgen2672]

Thanks for the video. I was at the planning meeting in July when it was sent back for amendments. There are many other issues with this and other sites in the City of London, not least the carbon release from demolition and construction and is there really the need for so much office space? But here is not really the place to discuss such complex issues. We seem to struggle to build good quality and appropriate office space - instead of just maximising space and profits. The Barbican Estate is under threat from badly planned nearby developments - which I'd urge you to look into as well.

[@DeanStephen]

I really preferred the “trellis” version of the building.

[@svenlima]

Many towns have a "twin town" in some other country. I suggest that 1 Undershaft becomes "twin building" with Berlin Airport.

[@ChavJag]

I worked on st helens tower after the 1st IRA bomb and was there when the 2nd IRA bomb went off at the natwest tower one year after the first one.

[@georgeealien]

did you die

[@ChavJag]

@@georgeealien no but come pretty bloody close

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Nice fantasy story. Thanks for sharing.

[@raptureboi]

Is there actually demand for office space? In my country, Toronto is dead downtown after the pandemic and it's not looking like recovery is close as most people still work from home years later.

[@arghjayem]

1 Undershaft? Who the hell came up with that name? 😂

[@masterbarnard]

It's the name of the road

[@GamesFromSpace]

Some dickhead.

[@stanvanillo9831]

@@masterbarnard Who the hell came up with the name for that road?

[@therealchayd]

@@stanvanillo9831 Just googled it, apparently there's a church nearby called "St Andrew Undershaft" that got its name from a custom where a maypole (the "shaft" part, I guesss) was set up opposite the church every May day until 1547 where it was seized by a religious mob who considered it a "pagan idol".

[@masterbarnard]

@@stanvanillo9831 It's named after the nearby church St Andrew Undershaft. Checkout the Wiki article for more info.

[@Bonbon1948]

It's not walkie talkie, it's the Fry Scraper. There you go. :D

[@Yasin_Affandi]

Despite the gloomy title of this video, this is a wonderful video with lots of valuable insights.

[@MazHem]

I heard canary wharf is pretty empty rn, there's not much a demand for office services - unless they are good quality

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Where did you hear that? At the bus stop?

[@EdinMike]

I’m glad Edinburgh doesn’t really allow skyscrapers, would ruin the skyline of the city.

[@ENGBriseB]

There's a big need for London to keep up with other countries. Because of money. The square mile has always been the centre of money. But build iconic buildings that most people will love. Thanks Fred.

[@74_Green]

1:06 WHY?? Because it is the same for ANY big building/infrastructure ANYWHERE in the UK.

[@jordan6266]

One thing that boggles my mind is the lack of skyscrapers for housing, thet do this on purpose to control the market for sure. Go to China in a similarly populated city and you'll see so many more. Also flats can be insanely nice, they just don't want to make it affordable for you.

[@jordan6266]

Also the skyscrapers in London are weirdly cramped in comparison to other cities. Architecture here kinda sucks. Not enough government power for the right things. Was staying in the ritz in Shanghai and their skyscrapers are decently spaced out that sunlight isn't an issue.

[@TXnine7nine]

0:54 Is there though? Weren't they just talking about office buildings in Canary Wharf talking with hotel chains to use the empty floor space left from the "work from home" revolution after COVID?

[@cmartin_ok]

If it was going to be nicknamed The Trellis, it should have been built in Mornington Crescent

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

1 undershaft? Should't it be called A BALL?

[@TheWebstaff]

or total bollocks.

[@bcccl569]

surely a slim, elegant, non-intrusive alternative within the footprint of the current tower can be devised? the sheer size of that box is unneeded and adds clutter where there should be space.

[@dongyschlontong-ck5xg]

The initial design looked better.

[@olliet2977]

Have to say the first trellis design is by far the best looking

[@nicomonkeyboy]

_Is_ there an ever growing need for more office space in London..?

[@ayoCC]

they should make them into residential towers

[@hc1324-m7w]

Yes, especially grade A office space.

[@JohnFromAccounting]

There is specifically in the City of London. Everywhere else it's probably gone down.

[@hibuddy1473]

I've heard other names being used for the Gherkin tbh

[@mauritsbol4806]

This skyscraper has been shafted

[@Strykehjerne]

6.34 the Shartttt 😅😂 followed by the.. under Shaafffttt 😮😂shafted and shafted

[@Alex-cw3rz]

If 1 Undershaft is so good why isn't there a 2 Overshaft

[@lzh4950]

Meanwhile Singapore built a business & R&D park called 'one-North' (in reference to the country's latitude) & I remembered we then almost named another park 'two-West' but ended up calling it "Jurong Innovation District" instead

[@doommaker47]

Presenting Allianz Stadium as an iconic building on par with Tower of London is plain hilarious. Come on :D

[@obiseankenobi2056]

a skycraper called undershaft seemingly designed by a blind one armed kid using seven broken lego bricks .. boaty mc boat face is so very proud of whoever named this.

[@misteroz]

I’d challenge the premise that London needs more office space. Five years ago my wife and I would be in town 9 days a week between us, now it rarely reaches 2 - and we’re not atypical.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

No one is asking you to invest so your challenge is irrelevant.