Listen to this article
NEW–A model of the proposed new International Headquarters building.
The City of London has granted planning permission for a new office development to replace the Army’s International Headquarters at 101 Queen Victoria Street.
UK Territorial Headquarters, which used to share the building, was relocated earlier in the year. The space left in the present 35-year old building, built on the site purchased by William Booth in 1881, is considered inadequate for commercial leasing. The replacement facility will more than double the floor area that can be used for rental income.
Every effort will be made to ensure that the financial returns would benefit the administration of IHQ for some time in the future.
Construction of the new buildings, in partnership with commercial property developers, could possibly start within the next two years.
To safeguard the Army’s financial interests, the project is being managed by a task force made up of established industry professionals and representatives from IHQ and UK territorial headquarters.
Another team is looking into the additionally-proposed Visitor Centre, to be located within the present Bramwell Booth Memorial Hall. This is intended to present a multi-media living window on the Army world and will be available to the thousands of people each day who cross the new Millennium Bridge between the Tate Gallery and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
–from an International News Release
