A spokesperson for campaign group Barbican Quarter Action (BQA) said the height reduction was welcome but “brings no relief”.
Under the revised design, the western tower’s 17 storeys would still be three storeys taller than the current block, while the eastern tower remains 20 storeys above the ground.
The amendments will significantly reduce the loss of daylight to neighbouring homes, it is claimed, with the Barbican’s Speed House and Cromwell Tower particularly close by.
The adjustments will mean 5% less office floorspace than first proposed.
Despite this, the BQA spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “No, the developer has not listened. Consultation fell on deaf ears, as these revisions demonstrate.”
They added that trimming the western end “is a token gesture that brings no relief” and that the building will “steal light and privacy”.
The group pointed to other developments near the Barbican, including London Wall Place by MAKE and 88 Wood Street by Richard Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, as examples showing “that profitability and respectful, proud and civic architecture can go hand in hand”.
They continued: “Here at 1 Silk Street, it is obvious that developer and architect have lost that last bit of ambition and appreciation they had for the building, site, and context from the outset.”
BQA said they hoped the design team would be “sent back to the drawing board”.