The New London Architecture has been working with research partner GL Hearn with data that has been provided by EG London Residential Research in order to present the results of the latest review on the changing skyline in London. This tall Buildings survey has been carried out for four years and is the only comprehensive review of all the buildings or towers that are proposed, I planning or under construction that will stand at over 20 storeys. This research is an important source of information about the changing shape of London.

The findings of the data and research have been debated at an oversubscribed and free public debate at NLA. The Tall Buildings Survey has shown that there are now 455 towers in the pipeline, this is despite having a year with a high degree of uncertainty in the market. This uncertainty and disruption has come due to Britain’s decision to leave the European Union. The capital has seen the construction industry start the process of creating almost one tall building every week. Over the course of 2016 construction began on a total of 48 tall buildings in 2016. This is a 68% increase on the year before.

Over 2016 there was also a significant increase in the completion of tall buildings, with a 150% leap. This is higher than any level previously seen by London. It is thought that nearly 100 tall buildings are under construction in the capital, with many of them are in the later stages of construction. It is thought that 28 tall buildings are expected to be completed in 2017 and 40 will be finished in 2018. Since the start of the Tall Buildings Survey, 60 buildings have been completed.

While the pipeline for this type of construction is strong, the future looks more unclear, with the survey pointing out 31 tall buildings that have been awarded a resolution to grant planning permission five or more years ago but have yet to start development.