The London Wall Place Project
Greening the Skyline: London Wall Place’s Elevated Oasis
Amid the ancient footprints of Roman Londinium and nestled within the remnants of the medieval church of St Alphage lies one of the City’s most impressive public realm projects: London Wall Place. A harmonious blend of heritage and innovation, the development delivers more than just office space—it redefines how landscape architecture can integrate with the modern workplace.
At its core, the project comprises two striking office buildings—One London Wall Place (12 storeys) and Two London Wall Place (16 storeys)—together providing 500,000 sq. ft. of workspace for up to 5,000 employees. But it’s the acre of public realm and elevated walkways, carefully curving and weaving through ancient ruins, that sets this development apart.
Landscaping in the Sky
Europlanters was proud to collaborate with Frosts Landscapes on the extensive landscaping of nine terraces spread over seven floors of One London Wall Place. The ambition behind the project was clear: to create immersive green spaces high above the city—spaces that promote wellbeing, boost biodiversity, and offer workers a chance to reconnect with nature.
Among the project’s standout features are two wildflower green roofs—one spanning 427 sqm and another 120 sqm—adding a soft ecological layer to the building’s architecture and supporting a more sustainable urban ecosystem.
To bring these terraces to life, Europlanters manufactured and installed 406 large GRP planters, forming the infrastructure for bespoke planting beds. These planters were sprayed in RAL 7048 metallic, chosen to complement the building’s sleek contemporary façade while offering durability and weather resistance suitable for rooftop environments.
Craftsmanship Meets Function
In addition to the planters, the project included 161 hidden storage benches, expertly clad in Iroko timber, which add both warmth and practicality to the outdoor spaces. Inspired by stacks of timber in a lumber yard, the benches were designed by the project’s landscape architect to evoke a sense of craft and natural materiality, bridging the divide between structure and nature.
Each bench also features integrated power sockets to charge laptops and mobile devices—an intentional nod to the changing needs of flexible working environments.
The level of detail in fabrication was immense:
- Over 2 tonnes of resin and 400 litres of specialist paint were used for the planters.
- More than 500 metres of Iroko timber were sourced, cut, and installed to clad the custom seating.
As with all successful urban landscaping, lighting played a vital role. The planters were equipped with discreet LED fixtures, offering ambience during summer evenings while highlighting the planting and structural forms.
Nature at Work
Beyond the technical prowess of this project lies a human story—of how green space at height can change the way people experience work. Each terrace was carefully considered as a multi-functional breakout space, offering a natural escape, a place for reflection or conversation, or even an outdoor workspace with inspiring city views.
The results speak volumes. The completed terraces not only foster employee wellbeing but also provide key ecological benefits, including habitat support, air purification, and microclimate regulation—all in the heart of London.
A Royal Seal of Approval
The significance of the project was underscored in November 2018, when HRH Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the development. Touring the new offices and stepping onto the terraces, Her Majesty commented on the impressive views from the 10th floor, noting—humorously—that they might just be a bit too distracting for the city’s hardworking traders.
A Living Legacy
London Wall Place represents what’s possible when architecture, landscape and history are brought together with a forward-looking ethos. For architects and landscape professionals, it offers a blueprint for rethinking urban office environments—not as rigid workplaces, but as living ecosystems where people and nature can thrive side by side.
At Europlanters, we are honoured to have contributed to a project that not only pushes the boundaries of green infrastructure but celebrates the enduring relationship between place, people and purpose.
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