Open Gate – New Cultural Centre
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On January 31, 2025 the City of London Corporation’s Planning Sub-committee approved Brookfield Properties’ 99 Bishopsgate scheme to deliver new office space within a 54-storey tower, inclusive of a cultural plan that highlighted the cultural centre dedicated towards showcasing and housing under-represented creative voices.
Brookfield Properties secures approval for 54-storey tower at 99 Bishopsgate
- Plans for the redevelopment of 99 Bishopsgate have been approved today by the City of London’s Planning Committee. The scheme will deliver over 1 million sq ft of best-in-class office space, alongside more than 60,000 sq ft of vibrant public and cultural amenities, reshaping the northern gateway to the City.
- The development will also introduce extensive public realm enhancements, including a dynamic 7-day-a-week City Market and new pedestrian connections, improving access between Liverpool Street Station and the heart of the City.
- A visibly green 54-storey tower will prioritise sustainability and occupier wellbeing with extensive vertical gardens enhancing urban greening.
- A new, prominent standalone 6-storey cultural building will offer performance, exhibition, and studio spaces.
City planners commented that the proposals will “exude architectural excellence” and Members were impressed that the applicant has established a relationship with
Intermission Youth, who would use the cultural space. Member Deborah Oliver noted the thorough method that the applicant used for choosing cultural offerings, and
thought that this could help inform the development of the City’s own framework for cultural space.”
Positioned at the junction of Old Broad Street and Wormwood Street, Open Gate reflects input from young creatives across London. Envisioned as a hub for community engagement, artistic expression, and collective enrichment, it will be anchored by Intermission Youth, a dynamic theatre group that uses Shakespeare to empower underrepresented voices and foster inclusivity in the arts. This partnership ensures the space will serve as a vital resource for young people while contributing to the cultural vibrancy of the City of London.
“As Shakespeare’s original presence was here in the City, it seems a rightful place for Intermission Youth to encourage young people to bring their cultural and contemporary perspective into conversation with the histories of their city. We developed the name ‘Open Gate’ in response to the original suggestion of ‘Fourth Gate’ in the spirit of this mash-up,”
Brookfield Properties will contribute significantly to the local community, investing over £70 million through its Section 106 obligations. The development is also expected to act as a catalyst for economic growth, generating an estimated 7,500+ new jobs and injecting an anticipated £8.5 million per annum into the local economy through increased worker spending. SRD Culture Ltd delivered the Cultural Plan.
