Explore Flexible Office Space Solutions in the City of London
The designs created by the architect firm Kohn Pedersen Fox were revealed last year and incorporated the creation of roughly half a million square feet of commercial space. Most of that space will be Grade A offices, but there will also be a restaurant and some retail areas.
WR Berkley is to fund the project and will work with the Property Group Partners (PGP) to see the ‘Scalpel’ emerge onto the City of London skyline for the next few years. The insurance firm looks set to occupy roughly a quarter of the offices available within the tower.
William R Berkley, chairman and chief executive of WR Berkley said that because his company is to finance, develop and eventually occupy the building at 52-54 Lime Street, its plans represent a “real, financial and physical commitment” to the British capital.
“We are delighted to have received the backing of the City of London today. We continue to develop our business operations in Britain and Europe,” he said.
“We plan to build on London’s rich heritage in the insurance sector by creating a fantastic new headquarters for our European business in the heart of the City of London.”
The ‘Scalpel’ is the latest in a series of major office space development projects undertaken in the City of London, specifically in the insurance district, in recent years. Others include the under-construction towers dubbed the Cheesegrater and the Walkie-Talkie, which will be over 500 ft tall on completion.
Editor’s notes: The office tower at 52 Lime Street, also known as The Scalpel, was completed in 2018 after a three-year build and offers 404,000 square feet of office space.
The European headquarters on WR Berkley is based in the building alongside tenants, including National Australia Bank and SAP.