Medieval Church Tower Suspended 45ft Above Ground In ‘Never Seen Before’ Feat

In an extraordinary fusion of history and modern engineering, a 14th-century church tower has been lifted high above the ground to make way for one of London’s most ambitious redevelopment projects.

The ancient tower of All Hallows Staining Church, which has stood for more than 700 years, now hovers 45 feet (14 metres) above the ground. Developers described the remarkable manoeuvre as a “never seen before feat of engineering”, a bold solution that allows the past and future of the City of London to coexist.

The tower was raised above a 60,000 square foot excavation site at 50 Fenchurch Street, where a new 36-storey commercial building is taking shape. To prepare the ground, workers removed over 125,000 tonnes of earth, an achievement marked with a symbolic “bottoming out” ceremony earlier this week.

Once construction of the underground levels is complete, the medieval tower will be lowered back to ground level and integrated into a public green space, ensuring that heritage and modern architecture stand side by side. The overall development, which also preserves Lambe’s Chapel Crypt, is scheduled for completion in 2028.

The project is being hailed as a major step for London’s urban landscape. Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, praised the effort, saying:
“50 Fenchurch Street is a remarkable project and I am delighted to attend this unique ceremony that marks a significant construction milestone for this 36-storey flagship development.”

He added that such projects underline London’s global standing: “Development projects like this one in the City of London highlight our capital’s position as a world-leading destination for leading businesses to invest.”