NLA's Tall Buildings Conference and Survey presents the latest updates on London's tall buildings pipeline for 2026.

High-rise development has become synonymous with London’s status as a leading global city, reflecting innovation, engineering excellence and contributing to a distinctive skyline. NLA’s annual survey and conference presents the latest insights into tall building development across the capital, addressing the key drivers that are impacting viability across planning and delivery. 

The conference provides a unique opportunity to discuss the future of London’s skyline and how the industry is navigating changing regulations for high-rise development. Despite these shifts, many schemes continue to prioritise sustainability, pioneering innovations in low-carbon engineering and design. Tall buildings also remain attractive to both international and domestic investors, while offering a viable way to deliver much-needed housing.

The programme will further explore how tall buildings can positively contribute to public realm and placemaking, while raising important questions about their wider social and demographic impact, and what the next generation of high-rises in London might look like.

The 2026 survey, drawing on intelligence from the GLA Data Planning Hub and analysis by PriceHubble, showcases the latest tall building pipeline across London. It provides key statistics on completed applications, uses and typologies, borough density and distribution and rental demographics. Alongside this data, the report brings together industry commentary and cross-sector thought leadership, offering a comprehensive overview of the role and impact of high-rise development across the city.

Session One: London’s Tall Building Pipeline
This opening session convenes tall buildings specialists from across the public and private sectors to present an update on London’s tall buildings pipeline and reflect on the key findings of this year’s survey, commenting on the impact of changing regulations on delivery and identifying challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

09:00  Welcome from Chair
Florence Maschietto, Head of Professional Programme, NLA
09:03  Opening address: John Palmer, Deputy Director of Operations, Building Safety Regulator
09:13  Commercial sector update: key challenges and opportunities:
Callum Tuckett, Director, Multiplex
09:20  Key takeaways from the data
Simon Long, Lead Project Manager, Planning London Datahub, GLA
09:27  Panel Discussion and Q&As
Speakers above, plus Brookfield Properties - speaker tbc

This session explores how tall buildings are responding to changing regulations and sustainability targets, showcasing the importance of innovations and reuse practices in unlocking long-term value.

10:05  Welcome from Chair
Sophie Goff, Associate Director - Communications, NLA
10:08  Supporting material innovation amid a changing landscape
Hans Jansen, Lead Concept Design, Permasteelisa Group
10:18  Retrofitting towers of the future
Giota Kotsovinou, Associate Director, Canary Wharf Group
10:28  Panel Discussion and Q&As
10:50  END

10:50 - 11:30 BREAK

Session Three: Beyond the Tower: Tall Buildings and the future of public realm 

This closing session examines how tall buildings shape life at ground level. Beyond their impact on the skyline, towers influence streets, public spaces, connectivity, and the social and economic vitality of neighbourhoods.

11:30  Welcome from Chair
Sophie Goff, Associate Director - Communications, NLA
11:33  The civic role of Tall Buildings in the city
Tom Sleigh, Chair Planning and Transport Committee, City of London Corporation
11:43 From the ground up
Alan Shingler, Partner, Sheppard Robson
Sharon Giffen, Head of Design, Earls Court Development Corporation
11:53  Panel Discussion and Q&As
12:30  END