Newsdesk
Sweco UK
We are thrilled to share the incredible discovery of the remains of London’s first Roman Basilica at the site of our ongoing Building Services project at 85 Gracechurch Street.
The 2,000-year-old structure once served as the ‘ancient heart of London’, as a bustling Forum.
Now, as the development moves forward with innovative plans for a mixed-use hub for office workers, tourists and shoppers, the site is set to relive its heyday as a vibrant commercial, retail, cultural and social destination.
At Sweco, we are proud to be part of what has become a transformative journey through time, providing Building Services, Vertical Transportation, and Sustainability Consultancy for the ambitious landmark redevelopment – alongside architects & planners Woods Bagot, Hertshten Group and the MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) team, in collaboration with Shaw Corporation and Kanda Consulting.
We are also excited to be incorporating the remains into adapted designs for a world-class immersive public experience – our contributions also include redesigning the basement layouts, plant strategy and utility connections to accommodate a new public exhibition and event space that will showcase the remarkable Roman artefacts.
This echoes our previous work at the London Mithraeum Bloomberg, where we returned the Roman Temple of Mithras to its original location.
Ever sensitive to the past, we are committed to creating a sustainable future at 85 Gracechurch Street with:
Sweco UK Project Director Giovanni Festa says:
“It’s fascinating to be able to connect the past with the future as part of our work – it’s really rewarding to know that we’re not just building a modern destination which is thrilling in itself, but that we’re reviving an ancient legacy for generations to come.”
Our Project Manager and Lead Engineer Alexander Roden adds:
“The latest discovery of such valuable historical remains is a reminder that, just like our Roman predecessors, we as engineers and placemakers are in the privileged position of being able to leave a positive mark on society, which makes our work on this fantastic scheme in 2025 all the more rewarding.”
Public consultation on the plans for 85 Gracechurch Street will begin soon, as we unveil our updated plans to bring this incredible history to life while creating a focal point for retail, workplaces, and leisure once again in the Square Mile.
For more details on our work, and how our heritage-sensitive experiences at 85 Gracechurch Street could enhance your projects, contact us below.