The Twentieth Century Society

Campaigning for outstanding buildings

Broadgate, City of London

Broadgate, City of London

Although English Heritage supported our opposition to the granting of a Certificate of Immunity (which guarantees a building against listing for five years), the Culture Secretary rejected heritage advice and granted a COI for the parts of Phase 1-4 of the Broadgate development which remain standing. Buildings 4 and 6 were demolished in 2012.  We still see the remaining part of Broadgate as architecturally one of the most significant post-war commercial developments in London, a triumph of twentieth century urbanism that deserves to be listed. The COI applies to Broadgate Square (the current location of the skating rink) and the buildings designed by Peter Foggo of Arup Associates that surround it.  We were disappointed by this short-sighted decision, but as the previous Secretary of State refused to list Broadgate in 2011 (despite a strong recommendation to do so), it was no surprise. The case demonstrates just how vulnerable our recent heritage is, and how the loss of part of a complex of buildings can have a significant impact on a much larger area.