50 FENCHURCH STREET For nearly 500 years, generous bequests from members and other benefactors, coupled with wise investments by the Court, have enabled The Clothworkers’ Company to thrive and grow not only our assets, but also our impact through grant-making. The Company has been on the existing site since our founding in 1528, when The Fullers’ and The Shearmen’s Companies united and decided to remain at Shearmen’s Hall on Mincing Lane. Over the centuries, Clothworkers’ Hall has changed out of opportunity or necessity – such as the destruction of the third hall by The Great Fire of London (1666) and that of the fifth hall by The Blitz (1941). The hall we are all familiar with today is the sixth on this historic site, opened in 1958. It is our home and the scene of fellowship among members. But it is also our place of work, where we fulfil our civic duties to the City of London, manage our extensive assets and strive to meet our commitments to our textiles partners, our military affiliates, our partners in championing good charity governance, and – in particular – to The Clothworkers’
Foundation. Our modern purpose, and legacy for future generations, is dependent on our ability to capitalise on our assets in order to increase our philanthropic impact. In 2019, we announced our plans for the evolution of Clothworkers’ Hall, securing its future here in the City of London and maximising our assets to increase our charitable giving. We submitted our bold proposal for the development of a new Livery Hall, commercial building and public realm for planning permission at the end of the year, receiving planning consent in May 2020 (during the City of London’s first virtual Planning and Transportation Committee Meeting). The project aims to redevelop the island site that includes Clothworkers’ Hall. The new commercial development (‘50 Fenchurch Street’), will be at the forefront of the City of London’s strategy for a greener, more environmentally sustainable Square Mile, offer the City modern office and retail space, create a new public realm and improve access to the historic church tower and crypt. We are looking forward to the future of 50 Fenchurch Street, and Clothworkers’ Hall.
Left: Architectural rendering of the proposed development, illustrating the new and expanded public space at ground level. Courtesy of Eric Parry Architects.
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THE CLOTHWORKERS’ COMPANY
ANNUAL REVIEW 2019
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