Canary Wharf giant drives plan for new 300m skyscraper in City of London

Plans are being drawn up for a 70-storey skyscraper in the City of London that would be nearly as tall as the Shard.

Property giant Sir George Iacobescu is overseeing the project which would see the building at Exchequer Court near the Gherkin replaced by a 300-metre-high tower, according to the site’s owner, New York-based insurer AmTrust Financial Services.

The Exchequer Court plans will reportedly be put out for public consultation later this month.

The project would see the building at Exchequer Court near the Gherkin replaced by a 300-metre-high tower

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A planning application to the City of London Corporation is expected early next year. AmTrust hopes the tower will be completed by 2033 if the plans are approved.

Romania-born Sir George is one of the giants of London’s property scene, having been one of the driving forces behind the transformation of Canary Wharf from an urban wasteland into a global financial powerhouse.

The project is being overseen by Sir George Iacobescu

Chaya Cooperberg, AmTrust’s chief people and communications officer, said: “This is a long-term commitment to London we are making.

“We think this project is going to help meet the city’s needs for more top-quality workspace.”