Crossrail and development partner Cardinal Lysander have submitted a joint planning application to the London Borough of Islington and the City of London Corporation for an over-site development above the western entrance of Farringdon Crossrail station.

The 207,000 sq ft development, located at the corner of Cowcross Street and Farringdon Road, will comprise six storeys of high-quality office space, with retail units at street level. The building has been carefully designed to integrate with Crossrail’s operating station and will also improve local views of St Paul’s Cathedral.

Ian Lindsay, Crossrail Land and Property Director said: “By 2018 Farringdon will be one of Britain’s busiest rail stations, linking Crossrail, Thameslink and London Underground services. Our proposed developments will accelerate the area’s regeneration, helping Farringdon re-emerge as a destination in its own right.”

Charles Pinchbeck of Jones Lang LaSalle, development managers for Cardinal Lysander said: “Cardinal Lysander firmly believes in the future of Farringdon as one of London’s premier business districts. The scheme prepared with Crossrail and other stakeholders is well-placed to capture Farringdon’s potential.”

Farringdon is at the heart of the Crossrail route and will be a key link in bringing passengers directly from within Greater London and beyond to the business hubs in the City and Canary Wharf. Located at the only intersection between Crossrail and Thameslink, Farringdon will directly connect with three of London’s five airports, providing a railway connection between Heathrow and Gatwick. When complete, over 140 trains per hour will flow through the Farringdon interchange.

Farringdon Crossrail station will comprise two platform tunnels, each the length of two football pitches, linking two new ticket halls. The western ticket hall will be shared with Thameslink services, and will have an entrance on Cowcross Street, directly opposite Farringdon Tube station.

The eastern ticket hall will have entrances at the Long Lane end of the station, on Lindsey Street and Hayne Street.  It will also link directly with the existing London Underground platforms at Barbican station.

The private sector funded over-site developments will commence during the latter stages of work to construct Farringdon Crossrail station. Crossrail will commence services in 2018.