Millennium Bridge House revamp given go-ahead

Plans to redevelop Millennium Bridge House, EC4, have been signed off by the City of London Corporation. Angelo Gordon and Beltane Asset Management will refurbish and extend the building to provide offices, flexible workspace and retail outlets, as well as a public roof terrace. The approval from the Corporation’s planning committee came despite objections from Norfolk House residents and Norman Foster, who designed the nearby Millennium Bridge. Foster said the scheme would be detrimental to the bridge’s building lines and framing of views of St Paul’s Cathedral. He also raised concerns about plans to relocate the HSBC Gates created by sculptor Anthony Caro, which had been designed in tandem with the bridge. Beltane Asset Management partner Duncan Roe argued that the gates hindered pedestrian flows and had been the site of antisocial behaviour. Residents at Norfolk House objected over loss of daylight and privacy, as well as access. Angelo Gordon and Beltane acquired Millennium Bridge House in 2018 for around £95m. It is let to tenants including financial services firm Quilter until September. Gerald Eve advised Angelo Gordon and Beltane on the planning. To send feedback, e-mail louise.dransfield@egi.co.uk or tweet @DransfieldL or @estatesgazette