The Greater London Authority is to move from its current building adjacent to Tower Bridge to The Crystal, a GLA-owned building in the Royal Docks.
The plans would see the Mayor and London Assembly based at The Crystal, which will be renamed City Hall, and the GLA will also lease one floor of Transport for London’s Palestra building in Southwark for other staff.
The GLA will also enable staff to work from home more regularly to make the best use of the new office space.
Plans for the move, which are subject to consultation with staff, will save £55m over five years which Mayor Sadiq Khan says can be used to protect front-line services and invest in London’s recovery from Covid-19.
The GLA is making use of a break clause in the 25 year lease for the current building which Mr Khan’s office says can only be exercised in December 2021. Notice to vacate must be given this year and a decision is needed by September to ensure there’s time to plan and carry out the move.
Mayor Khan said: “My first priority will always be to protect funding for front-line services, including public transport, the Met Police and the London Fire Brigade. That’s why I’m consulting on plans for the GLA to leave the current City Hall building next year and relocate to The Crystal at the Royal Docks in Newham.
“In normal times, it would be standard practice for any Mayor to consider utilising the lease ‘break’ clause on the City Hall building that becomes possible this year, and to view it as an opportunity to ensure Londoners were getting the best value for money.
“In the current financial context, and with the looming black hole in London’s public finances, it would be negligent not to do so.
“Leaving our current home would save £55 million over five years, which would help us to protect and invest in the things that matter most to Londoners, as well as supporting the regeneration of the Royal Docks.
“The Crystal is a highly sustainable building on the site of London’s most ambitious regeneration project, where the GLA and Newham Council are working together to create a new commercial district and visitor destination with thousands of new homes and jobs.”
