VIDEO: City of London unveils skyline vision

The City of London Corporation has unveiled a computer-generated timelapse video of the Square Mile’s skyline, amid a surge in planning applications.

The ‘City Skyline CGI’, created by Didier Madoc-Jones of GMJ, depicts the financial district from above once all schemes with planning permission, or already under construction, are completed.

The imagery reflects what the corporation described as a record year for planning approvals in 2025.

The footage was presented at the annual Mansion House dinner by chairman of the planning and transportation committee Tom Sleigh.

He said the authority had recorded its busiest start to a year for seven years, with an 84 per cent increase in planning applications decided in January compared with the same month in 2024.

The images and timelapse video were released ahead of the corporation’s visit to MIPIM next month, Europe’s largest real estate conference. The delegation will be led by policy chairman Chris Hayward and the City Business and Investment Unit (CBIU), which was launched last year to attract global capital.

The corporation said the CBIU’s role was to engage prospective investors and developers to unlock funding for approved schemes and reduce delivery risk through forward funding, pre-let support and alignment with occupier demand.

Demand for Grade A office space in the City has remained strong. According to property adviser JLL, vacancy rates in the City Core stood at 4.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Vacancy for new-build space was below 1 per cent. The 22 Bishopsgate tower is fully let.

More than 500,000 square metres of office space was granted planning permission in 2025, with around half already under construction. The total is equivalent to more than 10 buildings the size of 30 St Mary Axe.

There are 30 major commercial schemes currently under construction across the Square Mile.

Hayward said demand for high-quality office space was reinforcing the City’s position as a global business district, with prime supply remaining tight and leasing activity at its strongest annual level since 2019.

“As we head to MIPIM, we do so with a positive outlook and a clear message that London is competitive and full of opportunity,” he said.

“With strong fundamentals, rising rental values, and a significant development pipeline, with much of it already under offer, we are seeking further investment from global investors and developers who recognise the long term strength and potential of this great city.”

Sleigh said the authority had already approved four major schemes in the first weeks of the year.

“Demand for sustainable Grade A space is real, it is rising, and we are responding decisively,” he said.

He added that the City was “open, confident and building at scale”, offering the certainty and long-term vision sought by international investors.