:banana:

http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/c/f/e/BFR_ST_Pauls_Dawn_CMYK.jpg

http://www.property-week.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=529&storycode=3054337&c=2

Beethams big idea

A north-west group’s 68-storey tower is set to dominate the London skyline.
29.07.2005
By Heather Greig-Smith

this week Liverpool-based developer the Beetham Organization submitted plans for a mixed-use tower that could cap off the renaissance at London’s South Bank.

The £500m glass tower will rise 68 storeys and contain a 440,000 sq ft (40,892 sq m) hotel, 310,000 sq ft (28,800 sq m) of residential space and a public viewing gallery on the top floor.

To be built on the site of the former Sainsbury’s headquarters at the junction of Blackfriars Bridge and Blackfriars Road, the Ian Simpson-designed tower will be 740 ft (226.5 metres) high. This would make it the highest living space and public gallery in the UK.

The scheme would also herald the arrival of Beetham and Simpson in London. The privately owned group is well known in the north-west, where it is developing residential-led towers that are beginning to dominate the Liverpool and Manchester skylines. And Simpson is one of Britain’s best emerging architects but is still better-known in the north of England.

If it wins planning permission from Southwark Council the tower will also illustrate the explosion of high-rise living across Britain.

Out of office

Sainsbury’s and Stanhope had earmarked the site for a Foster & Partners-designed 375,000 sq ft (34,840 sq m) office scheme, and a board on its perimeter still advertises it as such. But Beetham has gone for a radical change of use.

The ‘slender glass tower’ will contain a ‘six-star’ hotel, the operator of which has not yet been decided. On the 28th and 29th floors there will be a restaurant and bar, together with a health spa, gym and swimming pool with views across Westminster and the City.

Above the hotel, 220 flats are planned. With construction costs estimated to be in the region of £250m, it will be funded by equity and debt.

The Beetham proposal also represents a significant height difference from the rest of the South Bank. However, the developer is convinced that the plans are right for the location. Its founder and chairman Hugh Frost says: ‘Clearly the scheme previously approved for the site did not meet market demand.’

Beetham bought the site from Sainsbury’s for £48m last November. It was vacated when Sainsbury’s moved to Holborn in 2000. The supermarket group originally intended to redevelop the site for its own occupation and move back, but changed its mind.

Last year it abandoned an attempt to develop the site with Stanhope, after publisher IPC decided not to relocate there; it moved instead to Land Securities’ Bankside 123 scheme, 200 yards to the east.

Frost says: ‘Whilst we will look at other exciting opportunities in London and elsewhere this project will be our prime focus for some considerable time to come.’

Beetham Organization is a family company owned by Frost and sons Simon Frost and Stephen Beetham. Frost’s big break came in the 1980s when he bought a residential investment portfolio, converted Victorian houses into flats and sold them off.

Its first big development was the £40m, 39-storey Beetham Tower at 111 Old Hall Street in Liverpool which has 134 flats and a 200-bed Radisson SAS hotel. It opened last year and is soon to be followed by the £35m 40-storey West Tower, also on Old Hall Street. This has been dogged by controversy: Liverpool City Council initially refused planning permission, but then granted permission when the developer threatened to mount a legal challenge.

In Manchester, Beetham’s £150m 47-storey tower on the Hilton hotel site at 301 Deansgate is due to be completed in 2006. The 515 ft (157 metre) glass tower will be extended to 561 ft (171 metres) by a glass ‘blade’. It comprises 219 flats and a 285-bed Hilton, with a bar on the 23rd floor, underground parking and 100,000 sq ft (92,900 sq m) of offices.

“The scheme previously approved did not meet market demand
hugh frost, beetham”

At 10 Holloway Circus in Birmingham, Beetham is developing a £70m tower, this time of 39 storeys, designed by Ian Simpson Architects, with 152 flats above a 218-bed Radisson SAS hotel. The hotel opens this autumn, and the flats will be ready in 2006.

Yet the Beetham model does not always work. In May, Brighton City Council rejected its plans for a 42-storey tower, designed by architect Allies & Morrison. The planning subcommittee said: ‘It was not considered that concerns could be addressed either by amendment or by imposition of additional conditions.’ Among the objections was that the site was not an ‘appropriate’ location for a tower. Beetham has six months to appeal.

For the most part, however, the group’s plans have sat well with a residential boom that has allowed it to accede to planners’ desires for good architecture, as well as a relaxation in attitudes towards tall buildings. ‘The Blackfriars site is perfectly located to repeat the hotel/residential Beetham model which has been very successfully developed in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham,’ says Frost.

Prices for the flats will start at £500,000 for a one-bedroom flat, rising to £2.5m for a penthouse suite. ‘This will be the highest publicly accessible space in London and we are confident that it will become one of the capital’s major tourist attractions,’ says Beetham director Stephen Beetham.

The developer dismisses any fears of an oversupply of high-end residential property. ‘The building will be recognisable worldwide and will be marketed internationally where the top-end residential market remains strong,’ says Frost.

The scheme will include affordable housing, as well as 109 affordable homes in an adjacent building. The developer says these will be designed to a standard in keeping with the rest of the site. The emphasis on quality is the cornerstone of Beetham’s application, as it believes Southwark Council’s dedication to good-quality design is an important Criterion in deciding planning permission.

‘Southwark Council’s ambition to promote regeneration with highest-quality architecture was entirely compatible with our aspirations to expand our concept of mixed-use tower developments into London,’ says Frost.

Attention to detail

Malcolm Kerr, founder of project planning adviser DP9, says the application was only submitted after detailed discussions with planning officers at the council and consultation with the local community.

‘The proposal will accord with the emerging Southwark tall buildings policy which is likely to recommend that tall buildings be located at the north end of Blackfriars Road,’ he says. Beetham hopes to have a positive response to the application by the end of the year so it can start on site early in 2006.

As well as consulting Southwark planners, Beetham says it has had positive responses from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, English Heritage and the Greater London Authority. The proposed building is not in the St Paul’s strategic views corridor.

If the London tower does go ahead, it will be the latest in a stream of tall buildings planned for the capital. Deputy prime minister John Prescott last week approved plans for St George’s 591 ft (180 metre) Vauxhall Tower, part of the £200m St George Wharf scheme.

The planning inspector was opposed to the tower, saying it was out of keeping with the existing environment and would have a detrimental effect on the riverscape, but Prescott approved the plans after additional affordable housing was added to the scheme.

Now the north-west’s biggest players are gatecrashing the London party.


http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/q/u/a/level_4_context_small.jpg
http://www.property-week.co.uk/Pictures/web/c/a/e/133_3309_SITE_CMYK.jpg

Beetham is a quite relyable firm, I'm looking foward for a reality of this one :)

I don't like it.

Too tall for such a sensitive site, way too close to the river, and the shape doesn't inspire me.

Maybe I'll see some better renderings, but I'm rather disappointed by what I've seen so far.

Its beautiful - slender, bright and the shape is amazing, but the best bit about it for me is the Glass top - Thats gonna look superb.

AND OH MY GOD -

Quote: Skyscrapernews

..."The Beetham Organization has also announced it has selected Alejandro Zaera-Polo of Foreign Office Architects to design a new office block for it in the City of London on a site assembled in Minories, EC3.
The three acre site will be taken up by a 95,000 square metre office development, the first development of its type planned by the company and a solid indication of the expectations that the London office market is set to rapidly improve but more so that after success in the regions, Beetham are now looking to London big time. " ...

Thats 7,000 sqm bigger then the 307m Bishopgate tower - Thats another 60+ storey tower for London at least - Could London get its first 350m tower :eek2:

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/london2012/17.jpg

LONDON IS ROCKING

a very sexy tower, but as Will said, I'm not to sure on the location, to close to the river, we'll soon have a skyscraper alley alongside the SouthBank and the city edge.

Good shape and facade. I like the top of the tower, but I need more pics.

Love it :cheers:

I like it, need to see better renderings though.

Wow, I'm impressed... it seems that skyscraper developments in London started relatively late, but all of its projects have been very modern looking.... I like the architecture... just hope that these new large developments don't destroy that old, classical feel that London has.

Yeah, the location is iffy, but I like this one! What are the odds of it being built?

i dont like it it looks very odd.

Hard to say Pottebaum

Pro - Made my Beetham, very respected in the UK.
Con - Out of place and rubbish location.

its nice imagine a night time shot when its built.

I think in the bigger picture its going to be a fantastic addition to London. The river banks seem to be littered with skyscraper proposals. Imagine riding a boat up the thames with towering 700footers surrounding you, and thats before you even get into the city. I like it. that bridge needs changing though.

Pottebaum. Beetham already have skyscrapers being built in Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool - this will start very soon if it gets planning consent.

Like I said before though this office tower which Beetham are also working on is gong to be litterally MASSIVE - 95,000sqm is easily twice the size of Arena Central at 187m and Im looking forward to this more then anything - its a 3 acre site so only 1 tower can really be implemented into the scheme so im expecting a very big bastard here - great news for London.

that tower looks pretty cool...I hope it's all glass like in the rendering:)

that tower looks pretty cool...I hope it's all glass like in the rendering:)

Oh its all glass - Beetham only do all Glass ;) :cheers1:

Beetham Tower Birmingham

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/CityBuildings/29CH45_202.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/CityBuildings/29CH45_225.jpg

http://www.imagesofbirmingham.co.uk/php-cgi/gallery/albums/CityBuildings/29CH45_194.jpg

I like it,but it should be located in a cluster.

I like it,but it should be located in a cluster.

Its a big discussion on the UK Boards, as to whether or nto they want another cluster. behind this 226m tower, there is another 170m proposed. so you already have the start of quite a significant cluster, not to mention LBT is pretty close.

I, too, am not too sure about the location. Mabye a location in the city would be better? Anyone else think so.

Another nice one for LONDON!!

Don't like the hump...nor it's isolation. But as long as it's tall.

hands down, one of the best!!!

I dont know....Like someone else said, it looks kinda odd...But i like the idea of mixed use buildings...

Stands out like a giant phallus against London's low-rise skyline...might be nice in a city like Tokyo.

Stands out like a giant phallus against London's low-rise skyline...might be nice in a city like Tokyo.

It wont be low rise for long ;) Infact this is only the 6th largest Tower in London, 7th if you include Minerva spire and soon to be 8th :cheers1:

It wont be low rise for long ;) Infact this is only the 6th largest Tower in London, 7th if you include Minerva spire and soon to be 8th :cheers1:
yep...London sure is booming... :rofl:

yep...London sure is booming... :rofl:

Are you being sarcastic ;)

A few corrections... the scheme is called One Blackfriars Road, not Beetham Tower. It'll be 219m tall with 69 storeys... not 226m with 68.

As I've been saying on the UK forum, this isn't the best view... the key features of the tower are on the southern elevation but sadly no render from that side has been released. However I'm sure it won't be long before a forumer goes and takes some photos of the planning application.

Not too bad.

Some renderings of my own, looking east from Hungerford Bridge:



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/beetham/5.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/beetham/6.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/beetham/7.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/beetham/8.jpg

NICE VERY NICE WHEN CONSTRUCTION WILL START???

All of the towers will start construction at 9.00am next Monday and be completed by 5pm the same day.

Isnt there another 170m tower planned for this area aswell?

Wilkinson Eyre Tower, 176m - it will stand just to the right of Beetham. We don't know what it looks like yet though.

Wilkinson Eyre produce some quality stuff though - they're one of my favourite architects actually.

another skyscraper for this wonderful city

I hope I can visit the city in the future

Wilkinson Eyre Tower, 176m - it will stand just to the right of Beetham. We don't know what it looks like yet though.

Wilkinson Eyre produce some quality stuff though - they're one of my favourite architects actually.

Yes mine to - they worked with Thomas Vale on the Shell restaurant in Birmingham. Its won quite a few awards, my favourite place for a coffee in the city.

NICE VERY NICE WHEN CONSTRUCTION WILL START???
Bishopsgate Tower - probably 2007 at the earliest
London Bridge Tower - demolition confirmed to be starting in March/April 2006
Beetham Tower - early 2006, if the council approve it
Minerva - very hard to say, it might not even go ahead at all
122 Leadenhall - the leases on the current site run until 2008
Heron Tower - demolition should start later this year
Broadgate Tower - should start construction this year, site already demolished
51 Lime Street - under construction now, core starting to rise

Not a huge fan of the odd shape, or its location but I'm stil hopeful that It'll be approved for London :okay:

Nice design and size.

wow, good renderings wjfox,

the more renderings i see of this building to more it grows on me...i know they arent official renderings...but they give a good general impression of what it will look like

IF it is to get one or 2 more tall buildings around it i think it will look good.

Londons skyline will end up looking like a mountain range with clusters dotted around - which could look pretty good...it will certainly make London look Massive.

No offense to anyone, but should there be a new thread started for every
newly proposed building in London? Wouldn't it be better to put them all in
one London thread, like some other cities do?
The thing is... when the Dubai guys start a new thread for every single building,
the threads get locked. It just makes more sense to have one thread discuss all
new buildings in each city.
Just a suggestion!

But a 68-storey building in the centre of London - a traditionally lowrise city - is unprecedented... it's quite a major story.

But a 68-storey building in the centre of London - a traditionally lowrise city - is unprecedented... it's quite a major story.
I just mean it makes more sense for there to be city threads that
discuss all new developments rather than one by one. And, to be
fair, it does seem that only the Dubai guys get dinged for doing the
one by one by one threads!
Cheers!

I really like this tower, i think Beetham are doing great work around the big cities now. But as said before could have had a better location...

I agree with most on this thread that it would look better skyline wise if built in either the City or Canary Wharf.
However, skyline isnt everything. If I were to pick, the City would be my first choice. Its a well known fact though that residential developments are not encouraged in that part of London. Residential stuff is more acceptable at CW, but it would somehow feel less important if it were built at CW.
It should look good when LBT is built near it.

No offense to anyone, but should there be a new thread started for every
newly proposed building in London? Wouldn't it be better to put them all in
one London thread, like some other cities do?
The thing is... when the Dubai guys start a new thread for every single building,
the threads get locked. It just makes more sense to have one thread discuss all
new buildings in each city.
Just a suggestion!
:cheers: thank you

This has now been scaled down to 180m/51 storeys - still pretty tall for London, about the same height as SwissRe.

"The Dubai-based Jumeirah Group have signed an agreement with Beetham Organization to create The Jumeirah Hotel at Beetham Tower, a new £600 million tower on the corner of Blackfriars Road and Stamford Street described by its promoters as 'a slender curved glass landmark for London'."

Full story and renderings here: http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2336

:badnews:

It was my favourite London proposal !

I think it's a far more sensible height for the location. You have to remember, this is just a few hundred metres from Big Ben, St Paul's cathedral, the heart of the West End, etc. If it was much taller, it would start to over-dominate and spoil the "feel" of this part of Central London.

Btw, here's a slightly better rendering from today's Evening Standard (London's main daily newspaper, for those who don't know) -


http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/1110/standardqu8.jpg

Couple of new renderings -


2 new official renderings with the correct height (taken from Beetham website):

http://i18.tinypic.com/4hjkchw.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/2d7zg9z.jpg

The night shot looks so damn real! I still have a reserved view on this as I havent seen any shots with it in respect to the rest of the city.

The night shot looks so damn real! I still have a reserved view on this as I havent seen any shots with it in respect to the rest of the city.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/blackfriars_big_01.jpg

It is much better. Beetham has signed Jumeirah as the hotel operator. It should start construction next year if planning permission is granted.

I would like it to be 69 floors more :lol:

Thanks Will! Now I think it looks pretty cool (best word I can think of at the moment) but there's something about it I hate it. I just can't put my finger on it...

Fantastic -- of course I loved the previous version, but I don't know how this will go ahead now with all those London Nimbies comming out of the woodwork including that Ruth woman.

Too fat, too imposing and a design straight out of Las Vegas.

Hideous.

Fantastic -- of course I loved the previous version, but I don't know how this will go ahead now with all those London Nimbies comming out of the woodwork including that Ruth woman.


Ruth Kelly, a compliment to call her a woman, she's a 12 year old boy that happens to be wearing women's clothes. Have you heard her voice? :)

Too fat, too imposing and a design straight out of Las Vegas.

Hideous.

You would know better than most, being a Londoner. Although wouldn't this blend eventually with some of the more angular and radical skyscrapers that will be rising in the skyline over the next 4 years?

Don't worry, there may be no new radical skyscrapers rising due to Ruth and Unesco

Too fat, too imposing and a design straight out of Las Vegas.

Hideous.

I agree with you.

You would know better than most, being a Londoner. Although wouldn't this blend eventually with some of the more angular and radical skyscrapers that will be rising in the skyline over the next 4 years?

Well, there are 2 other towers planned nearby, and a 3rd existing one which is getting a reclad + height increase. LBT will also be visible from here -


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/london2012/28.jpg

I need to update that rendering, actually.

Beetham Tower has since been decreased in height (175m/50 storeys), and so has 20 Fenchurch Street (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=321496) (160m).

There's also another tower which has been proposed to the left of Tower 42.

And you missed off broadgate just to the left/behind St Pauls. :(

London's skyline certianly defines the term ''comes in all shapes and sizes'' from that pic.

Wow... I really like this one.

How do you pronounce the name? Cuz I keep looking at the thread title and thinking of "Beet-ham" but is it actually more like "Beethum"? LOL I need to put this mispronunciation to rest.

-thryve

^^ Beet'um

Whats the status of this one?

Proposed. If it is approved, then it is certain to be built, as a Hotel operator has signed, and Londoners buy flats in towers like hot cakes these days.

Alright! then awesome! :D

Well, there are 2 other towers planned nearby, and a 3rd existing one which is getting a reclad + height increase. LBT will also be visible from here -


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/london2012/28.jpg

I can't believe I'm actually going to say this, but all of these towers are iconic in their own way. However, having all of them in the same proximity of one another is to much aesthic appeal and it seems tacky and overwhelming to the observor. For once I think a few of these buildings should be plain and boxy so London Shard and Fosters 40 Axe can stand out as the centerpieces of the skyline. If all of these scrapers are built it will be like having the Mona Lisa next to Michelangelo's David next to Salvador Dalí's Persistence of Memory, its too much cluster. SPREAD THEM OUT!

I highly doubt London is ever going to look like that.

I think the main things that let that render down are:

1. Fenchurch street. Has since been refined and shortened.
2. Beetham. Has lost the coloured cladding and has been refined and shortened.
3. 20 Blackfriars. Not even a proper render yet, WJFox will have to change that when we get some proper ones.
4. Doon street... Well, just to overwhelming from here. That will probably have to go.
5. Kings reach redevelopment. The tower is also poor IMO.

I reckon, if you updated the render and Kings reach and Doon street were removed, it would look great.

Couple of new renderings -
http://www.aecmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid=41

Couple of new renderings -
http://www.aecmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142&Itemid=41

Hmmmm I didn't know the hump side was indented along the vertical axis like that... quite interesting.

I'm not too keen on the playschool multicoloured panels, but I'm warming to the shape / location / size. Potentially amazing or potentially embarassing... take your pick!

I'm hearing on the grapevine that it's been recommended for approval :-D

Anyway, I think the revised height is much better. If anyone can be bothered, you can read my thoughts on this tower here:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=13088507&postcount=250



http://i7.tinypic.com/4h85ikk.jpg

what a freakin good tower! amazing design! :banana: :cheers:

I have to say I still think the taller design is better. The other one looks a little fat to me whereas the other one soars nicely. Still one of my favourites though.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic3.jpg

I really think this being built at 217m would have a commanding presence on the skyline. 175m is okay and is of course reasonable for a tower on this site, but the design makes it look too fat from the side and in skyline shots it could appear awkward. 217m really gave it soar that is much needed, and with the design (providing they removed the coloured panels), it would have been even more impressive.

I understand that we need greater density of shorter towers in a cluster before building a tall one, but this could have been the tall one and 20 Blackfriars Rd and the Doon St tower further away could have been the shorter, ones complementing this 217m tower.

Just a thought... in that last pic, it looks like the cladding could be similar to the one on the Burj Dubai.

Wouldn't mind if it was... we've got plenty of transparent glass box towers. Having some polished metal on a building would be good to see! We could even make a compromise and have both; snake-skin double layered cladding as in The Pinnacle - inside layer would be the aluminium/titanium-finished cladding with the outside layer being glass, giving it extra glimmer!

This tower was approved last night. :banana:

The height was recently cut down from 173 metres to 163 metres and 49 floors. If they hadn't decreased the height, they would have taken the tower to a pubblic inquiry.

That sucks! Do u have any sources?

The height was recently cut down from 173 metres to 163 metres and 49 floors. If they hadn't decreased the height, they would have taken the tower to a pubblic inquiry.

Anyone have any thoughts what these height changes mean for what the tower will actually contain? Fewer apartments? Can't imagine Jumeirah would agree to a decrease in the number or size of their rooms or services. In fact, couldn't they simply argue that the height reductions adversely affect their market position, as the overall development prestige is lessened?

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic3.jpg

amazing tower

^^ Absolutely... :drool:

how many times has the height of this tower been reduced now

heres an idea of the height reduction:

http://skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic1.jpg

still looks amazing! :)

hers another beautiful picture:

http://skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic2.jpg

Go London!

It's really beautiful!
Amazing design!
:cheers:

Despite 2 height reductions, and depite already being approved, the government has now taken this to a public inquiry -

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/3187

If the project isn't cancelled altogether, the least we can expect is that it will be delayed by another year or so. Honestly, I give up with London sometimes. It's the most difficult place in the world to build skyscrapers.

That sucks, especially after reading post 82 & 83 :(

I'm sure there'll be plenty of other skyscraper building action to keep us happy though. As long as the Shard gets built I couldn't care less if this is built...

Honestly, I give up with London sometimes. It's the most difficult place in the world to build skyscrapers.

Italy is even worst.
We have a lot of wonderful projects but they always have a lot of troubles with the neighborhood and with municipalities.
Apart from Milan that is moving fast (even if with a lot of disputes), other cities like Turin have to face the inertia of bureaucracy and citizens.


I'm afraid this is a common problem all around europe.

I hope this project will be completed. I like it a lot

New rendering. The public inquiry is underway this month.


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/19-1.jpg

^^ Great render.

It is a shame that they still decide to do this, despite the height reduction. Now they should increase the height again to the original ..

Ms Blears has asked the planning inspector who will conduct the inquiry to report to her on "the appropriateness of a very tall building in this location and the extent to which this proposal is in accordance with English Heritage/CABE Guidance on tall buildings which recommends that tall buildings are properly planned as part of an exercise in place-making informed by a clear long-term vision, rather than in an ad-hoc, reactive, piecemeal manner".

Compared to Dutch welfare laws, this does not sound so hard. No word about environmental impact, shadow, increase in traffic, etc;)

Pardon my ignorance, but if they're going to public inquiry then couldnt they seek a greater height again? Seeing as it was stated here that they lowered the height to avoid an inquiry?

^^ Great render.

It is a shame that they still decide to do this, despite the height reduction. Now they should increase the height again to the original ..



Compared to Dutch welfare laws, this does not sound so hard. No word about environmental impact, shadow, increase in traffic, etc;)

All that would have been gone through in great detail in the original planning application, with Environmental Impact, and Design statements etc all submitted - I would guess this development has a minimal number of parking spaces - probably only enough for disabled parking, so probably very little effect on traffic.

I imagine there were no major issues with any of that, the main concern being the impact that the building would have on certain views :yes:

Why the height reductions ???

Another new rendering, from Blackfriars Bridge. This includes the other planned towers along Blackfriars Road.


http://www.hayesdavidson.com/images/B960.jpg

Nice one but with today's financial credit issues - it will interesting to see if this proceeds or finishes on schedule!

Wow its look amazing

Nice one but with today's financial credit issues - it will interesting to see if this proceeds or finishes on schedule!

In London money is not the most important issue when it comes to building new skyscrapers. :ohno:
Precious views, or rather a bunch of people who want to 'protect' them seem to be the biggest problem. :bash:

Well those people can get stuffed, but this tower is going to soar!
I love the design and I'm sure many others here do as well! :)

This has won it's public inquiry! It's now officially approved, with work to 'begin immediately' according to the Architects Journal:banana:

Link
(http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3137099&c=1&encCode=000000000193ba96)

Simpson and Wilkinson Eyre South Bank towers approved
26 March, 2009

Communities secretary Hazel Blears has approved two huge tower schemes on London’s South Bank by Ian Simpson and Wilkinson Eyre following last year’s public inquiry.

Scroll down for Ian Simpson's reaction

In a statement released by CLG this morning, it emerged that the minister has backed the findings of the planning inspector in supporting Simpson’s mixed use 51-storey Beetham Tower at One Blackfriars Road and Wilkinson Eyre’s neighbouring two-tower office and residential scheme for Circleplane.

Blears called in both projects following backing by Southwark Council but opposition by Westminster Council and Royal Parks which were concerned about the towers’ impact on views across the capital.

It emerged during the inquiry, held last autumn, that Mayor of London Boris Johnson was also opposed to the buildings, labelling them “unacceptable”.

The CLG statement said: “She [Blears] considers that the proposals are in appropriate locations for tall buildings…and that the design of both buildings would be of a high quality, inclusive and sustainable design which would improve the character of the area and produce attractive public spaces.”

http://skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic2.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic3.jpg

http://www.hayesdavidson.com/images/B960.jpg

^^ The other two towers behind it in this pic have been approved as well:cheers:

I know the Jumeirah Tower isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I like it a lot, so I'm very happy with this decision.

^ That's a bloody good render. Hayes Davidson?

God bless you, Blears!!

As for Bozzer, when he can design something better than this beaut.. I'll accept his criticism.. until then, he can concentrate on putting one foot infront of the other!

Awesome render!!! ^^ :cheers:

AWESOME! That's how a render should look like

So this one's approved, after being all but dead in the water? Great news! I've always said that this is one of the most beautiful residential proposals in the world right now and I'm glad that it's going to be built, after all.

When will construction officially start and will the shitty state of the global economy delay it further? Is there any chance of this being finished in time for the London 2012 Olympics?

By 2012, London will have a truly world class skyline.

Brilliant! :banana: :banana:

That's brilliant news... I pass the site on the bus every day and I can't wait to see these towers rising

London renders man... :master:

The "anti-skyscraper" Boris Johnson was unable to stop this one then? Good!

Bawdy Boris ain't too happy about this. ;)
...
But I am, so I don't give a toss! :)

:)

Is there any information when work on this will start? I'm also guessing that the initial goal of having this open by the start of the olympics is impossible.

edit: This isn't the london forum. Sorry for the unnecessary bump.

Any news or pictures of the construction? Has construction started yet?

The "anti-skyscraper" Boris Johnson was unable to stop this one then? Good!

Did he not save Columbus Tower from getting ditched, i love that tower.

Love the design and its in a good spot aswell

Some of these haven't been posted yet:

http://www.cityscapedigital.co.uk/images/stories/projects/1-blackfriars/1blackfriars-lead-large.jpg

http://www.cityscapedigital.co.uk/images/stories/projects/1-blackfriars/1-blackfriars-road-01-large.jpg

http://www.cityscapedigital.co.uk/images/stories/projects/1-blackfriars/1-blackfriars-road-02-large.jpg

http://www.cityscapedigital.co.uk/images/stories/projects/1-blackfriars/1-blackfriars-road-03-large.jpg

Source: cityscape (http://www.cityscapedigital.co.uk/component/content/article/69-one-blackfriars-road)

I repeat, if work started imeedietly over a year ago, there should be something on site now, so can we get a picture of the site? Thanks.:)

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/PP1000205.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/PP1000209.JPG
http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/PP1000202.JPG

This could be the next strata! It also looks like it will compliment the shard well as its only a little further down the river.

So strange to see (at last) some 'activity' on Beetham's site...I used to be so frustrated when driving past it (a couple of years ago), was some sort of mini rain forest...

Can you tell us what the machine is for Chest please? I really can't wait for the Boomerang to start.

Many thanks for the update :).

sorry Jex, no idea what the machine is.

lol A-Team there billboard maybe spy you :laugh:

In general, I am very pleased and surprised architecture of London! Especially love to look at the design of doors and windows of different buildings and offices. I like the windows with a vertical opening or lifting, it is very convenient for both office and home or apartment. But the most beautiful buildings and structures are located in Berlin - the most pure and cultural city of Europe. I want very much to the architects of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on the experience of developed cities, where can combine aesthetics, comfort and quality.:okay:

No pb Chest, at least there's a machine on the site, that's a good beginning...

Thanks anyway!

when is this expected to start?

Tuesday, 19 October 2010

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BLmuYJTcVzU/TL2pxt3xX4I/AAAAAAAAAGI/RfVLuLYcIrc/s1600/london-beetham-tower.gif

The Royal Bank of Scotland has put the Beetham London Tower development scheme into administration after talks broke down between the bank and the Russian owners. The 52 storey South Bank tower will feature 64 luxury apartments and a 261-bedroom Jumeirah hotel.

The scheme has an £80m loan secured against it. In a statement Beetham said; “Beetham anticipate taking the project out of administration very shortly in association with new investors. If the opportunity comes to the market, it will be marketed internationally at the beginning of 2011, with Knight Frank on behalf of Beetham/Mirax and CBRE acting for RBS. Bids in excess of £150m are expected.”

One the same day as the announcement of the administration building has started on the "walkie talkie" development at Fenchurch Street. This is expected to cost some £500m to build!
http://companyrescue.blogspot.com/2010/10/administration-for-beetham-london-tower.html

I'm fairly sure the amazing Boomerang will be launched next year...:)

I certainly hope so. I think this would be a great addition.

The London Evening Standard recently reported that this project may still go ahead if the financial situation regarding the Russian backers can be solved and a UK bank permits a loan. They tentatively mentioned an autumn 2011 schedule. Sorry for lack of detail, but I read the article about a month ago and I've only just joined on here so the fine details allude me. It was encouraging though, so fingers crossed.

^^Found this, from 23rd March:

Mace on tenterhooks over Beetham Tower rescue

Mace bosses are hoping that that the original developer of the delayed £600m Beetham Tower on London’s South Bank will rescue the scheme from administration.

The Enquirer understands that developer the Beetham Organisation is racing to beat a deadline later this month to take the site back from administrators at BDO. Mace is believed to be in the box-seat to win the job if Beetham is successful.

The project to build a 52-storey tower was put into administration by bankers RBS last October when Beetham fell out with its Russian development partners

But Beetham wants to get the job going again and is hoping to beat off rivals for the scheme and seal a deal by the end of this month. A spokeswoman for administrator BDO told the Enquirer: “Negotiations with interested parties are ongoing”.

She declined to name bidders or confirm any timescale for a deal. The site has planing consent for a 52-storey skyscraper containing 64 luxury apartments and a 261-bedroom hotel.

One contractor said: “This will be great news for the industry if this scheme gets going again and the word is that Beetham will go with Mace if they gain control of the project again.”

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2011/03/23/mace-on-tenterhooks-over-beetham-tower-rescue/

That's the article I was trying to remember. Thanks

It looks better at the shorter height. It should be a nice addition to that part of the city.

The London Evening Standard recently reported that this project may still go ahead if the financial situation regarding the Russian backers can be solved and a UK bank permits a loan.


For those interested, the Russian company (MIRAX) has changed its name to Nazvanie Group (http://nazvanie.net).

They still have kept the Beetham project under their banner, as well as the Hermitage Towers in Paris.

We will see what comes out.

Original and stunning design ! Clading seems to be perfect and very detailed !

Sergei Polonsky in talks with London Bridge ‘shard’ developer for One Blackfriars

Sergei Polonsky, the controversial Russian billionaire with a fortune of $4.35 billion and ranked Russia’s 40th richest person by Forbes magazine in 2008, is negotiating with British property developer Irvine Sellar to buy the 52 storey tower One Blackfriars. Located near the Tate Modern gallery in London, the tower has 64 luxury apartments and a 261 bedroom hotel. The scheme was developed by Liverpool based developer Beetham Organisation and Mr. Polonsky’s Mirax Group.

Two more London based developers, St George and Essential Land, are also understood to be in competition for the development. Although no details for bid prices were available, the upper ceiling has been fixed at £150 million by Beetham, sources said.

Irvine Sellar’s latest move to acquire One Blackfriars comes as his another landmark property – the Shard, located behind London Bridge station and measuring over 1,000 ft, approaches completion.

Originally planned at 220 meters and 60 storeys, One Blackfriars (also known as Mirax-Beetham Towers) was later scaled down after facing opposition from the heritage lobby, the Royal Park authority and neighbouring Westminster council.

It may be recollected here that the maverick Russian chairman of the Mirax group had announced in March that the group has decided to “shut down the Mirax brand”. Mr. Polonsky had cheekily announced “I’m not a businessman anymore,” though he quickly added that the company will honour all its obligations and after the brand’s liquidation, all other projects would be developed under different brand names. Some of its projects under development were taken over by creditors, including the tallest European skyscraper, the 506 meter (1,660 ft) Federation Tower in Moscow’s new financial district. The state run OAO Sberbank, a prominent Mirax creditor, decided to complete the Federation Tower project. A Sberbank official later confirmed that the Mirax board’s decision to liquidate the brand would not impact the bank’s interest in the Moscow Federation Tower project.

Other projects in Moscow that Mirax was obliged to complete included the fifth building of the Mirax-Park residential complex, the Kutuzovskaya Milya project, including the Fort Kutuzov Tower, the Wellhouse na Dubrovke residential complex, parking garages in the Kutuzov Riviera complex and a handful of projects in the Wellhouse na Leninskom residential complex.
Mirax Group has been struggling with its finances for some time now. In 2008 after the financial crisis had struck, Polonsky was the first Russian developer to cancel future development projects due to fund crunch.

In August 2009, The Federation Tower and Mirax Plaza complexes were seized after an arbitrage proceeding went against the company and favoured Alfa-bank’s $241 million unpaid debt. In September of that year, the company managed to convince the bank and the outstanding debts were restructured.
In May 2010, Mirax technically defaulted on Alfa-bank’s loan and total outstanding liabilities for the group were calculated at $593 million, as on beginning of March 2011. Of this figure, $307 million were CLNs, $203 million loans, $83 million rouble denominated bonds, news agency RIA Novosti had reported.

http://www.bsr-russia.com/en/property2/item/1795-sergei-polonsky-in-talks-with-london-bridge-%E2%80%98shard%E2%80%99-developer-for-one-blackfriars.html

But the most beautiful buildings and structures are located in Berlin - the most pure and cultural city of Europe.. :okay:


:nuts:

The biggest fear I have from this is the amount of buildings that it will block when on the london eye.

THE BOOMERANG TO BOUNCE BACK
Evening Standard, Sept 5th

A rescue package for the 53 storyBoomerang has been agreed. Developer Essential Land has made a successful bid to buy out the Blackfriars project after its original owner went into receivership.

Fingers crossed (again), this may finally go ahead

The following is quoted from bdonline.co.uk:

Simpson's London South Bank tower to go ahead
27 October 2011 | By Mark Wilding

Developer St George purchased the planned “boomerang” tower site from Beetham and Mirax Group

Ian Simpson Architects’ plans for “the Boomerang”, a £700 million 52-storey tower on London’s South Bank, are to go ahead after the site was bought out by St George.

The developer, a subsidiary of Berkeley Group, bought the 0.57ha site from developer Stephen Beetham and Mirax Group.

In October last year administrator BDO was appointed by the consortium of investors including Royal Bank of Scotland, leaving the future of the project in doubt.

Construction of the 170m-high One Blackfriars building is expected to start imminently, and would end a run of bad luck for Simpson, who has seen several ambitious tower projects stall since the recession — including a 26-storey 160-bedroom hotel in Glasgow which went into administration in July this year.

Planning permission has already been granted for a 76,000sq m tower, including a 261-bedroom hotel with a business centre and spa, 96 flats, a 1,000sq m observation area and 1,000sq m of retail and restaurant units.

The future of Simpson’s Blackfriars plans looked in doubt earlier this year when alternative designs for the site were produced. Fletcher Priest Architects was commissioned to carry out a massing study and proposed a hotel and residential scheme in several blocks that could be built in phases. But St George is now understood to be pursuing Simpson’s tower design with only minor amendments.

Earlier this month work started on Simpson’s £95 million refurbishment of Manchester’s Central Library and Town Hall with Ryder Architects.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/5026803.article?origin=BDdaily

:applause:

Beautiful...

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic3.jpg

WOW that is going to be a sweet looking tower! I love it.

“Boomerang” Tower Likely To Go Ahead
November 1, 2011
http://londonist.com/2011/11/boomerang-tower-likely-to-go-ahead.php

http://d4k7s9ho8qact.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/0111_oneblackfriar.jpg?9d7bd4
The view from beneath Millennium Bridge

The long-planned, long delayed residential / hotel skyscraper at One Blackfriars Road, known officially as the Beetham Tower and christened by the marketing deep-thinkers, in a grand dismissal of the basic laws of aerodynamics, as the Boomerang, is set to go ahead after the site was bought for around £150 million by developer St George.

Given planning permission in 2007, the project ran into trouble during the recession. With new money backing the scheme, construction work on the 153-meter, 53-storey tower could begin shortly.

Whether it will be welcome is another matter. Boris Johnson is a sworn foe (since becoming Mayor he’s tried, and failed, to get it kyboshed); there were also numerous objections from local councils and heritage groups, which led to the tower’s original 200-odd meter reach being scaled down.

The news comes amidst a growing backlash against the new breed of London skyscraper, with some critics of capitalism anointing the likes of the Shard as a symbol of the evil and menace of corporate culture run amok. Like many other newcomers, the Boomerang’s designers have offered a bauble to the fickle public by incorporating a viewing gallery at the top

The tower will get a new name now that Beetham is no longer involved. And it probably needs a better nickname, too.



http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-business/article-24006064-carlyle-prepares-to-unveil-giant-south-bank-complex.do

4 Nov 2011

Carlyle, the American private-equity giant, is working up secret plans for a massive £2 billion development on the south bank of the Thames, close to a newly enlarged Blackfriars Station, it can be revealed today.

Office blocks on either side of the track will be torn down, and replaced with 1.5 million square feet of flats, offices and shops. The proposals are being drawn up by PLP Architects, who were appointed last year after a hush-hush competition.

The plans are still at the concept stage. But it is understood that more than 1000 flats in blocks up to 30 storeys high on the two sites could be built, along with 300,000 square feet of office space and 200,000 square feet of retail. The one million square feet of apartments could be worth a total of £1.5billion, given nearly £1500 per square foot is being paid at nearby Neo Bankside, just behind the Tate Modern. The end value of the commercial space is half a billion pounds.

Plans are due to be submitted to Southwark Council in six months' time. The huge development is likely to become the keystone to the residential renaissance of the South Bank, if it is granted permission.

Last week Berkeley Homes paid £85million for the blighted 52-storey Beetham Tower development site bang opposite the Carlyle site. Work is due to begin soon on flats and a hotel in a 560-foot tower.

Just south of the Berkeley site, consent has been granted for a 42-storey residential tower and 180,000 square feet of offices. Work on the development, promoted by Israeli investor Gil Levy, has not begun.

Carlyle bought Ludgate House and Samson House last year (see right). Ludgate House is a 21-year-old block of 174,000 square feet, at present occupied by United Business Media, publishers of Property Week which today announced a move to new offices down the street.

Samson House is the far larger block. The 386,000-square-foot groundscraper lies on the eastern side of the tracks, close to Tate Modern.

The unloved concrete monstrosity is currently a computer back-up facility for banks.

It is understood that the final shape and massing of the site is still under discussion with Southwark planners. The council wants jobs to be preserved, hence the inclusion of half a million feet of commercial space.

It is said to be keen on Carlyle building a 50-storey tower on the Ludgate House site. This would allow the offices and shops to be kept below 12-15 storeys while preserving the overall size of the unnamed development.

Carlyle is apparently not keen on a tower to "twin" the one to be built by Berkeley over the road. The US fund manager would rather build several blocks between 20 and 30 storeys. Discussions with the council continue. In July, Carlyle and partner Development Securities narrowly lost a bid to build a development of almost similar size on the Shell Centre, further to the west. The successful bidders were the Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar.

Amazing tower !!!

Any idea of when construction is due to begin ?

Beautiful...

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/1524BeethamLondon_pic3.jpg

one word "classy" :applause:

This is one of the best designs outside of the City cluster, I can't wait for construction to start! :yes:

This one must be built! It's splendid. :cheers2:

You'll be pleased to know this is now back on track....activity on site, new hoardings, new web site, and being built by St George PLC, who purchased the project out of administration, and are also currently building the 180m St Georges Tower...

Expect this to start groundworks pretty soon...:banana:

From BlackFriar in the UK Forum....

From today at lunch:
http://i40.tinypic.com/ncayjd.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/2cgizae.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/2m2j779.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/14kwk2f.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/55jb05.jpg

:banana: :carrot: :cucumber: :banana: :carrot: :cucumber: :banana: :carrot: :cucumber: :banana: :carrot: :cucumber::banana: :carrot: :cucumber: :banana: :carrot: :cucumber: :banana: :carrot: :cucumber: :banana: :carrot: :cucumber:

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/5776

Public viewing gallery axed from One Blackfriars skyscraper
Thursday 12 January 2012

St George, new owner of the One Blackfriars skyscraper project, is planning changes to the approved scheme, including the elimination of the public sky deck at the top of the proposed tower.

Beetham's proposal for a 51-storey tower at the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge was approved in 2009 by the then communities secretary Hazel Blears after a public inquiry.

After Beetham and its Russian partner Mirax hit financial difficulties the site was put up for sale and has now been acquired by St George – part of Berkeley Homes – which is planning to build the tower to the approved design by architect Ian Simpson.

Over the Christmas holidays new St George-branded hoardings appeared around the site which is bounded by Blackfriars Road, Stamford Street, Rennie Street and Upper Ground and has been vacant for nine years.

The new developer plans to alter the mix of uses in the scheme, relocating the planned luxury hotel into the lower-rise buildings planned for the site and filling the main tower with 280 luxury apartments.

One of the selling points for Beetham's scheme was that a publicly accessible sky deck would be provided at the top of the tower. Figures submitted as part of the planning application showed that up to 800,000 visitors a year were expected to enjoy the panoramic views of central London.

The Mayor's London Plan says that "tall and large buildings should incorporate publicly accessible areas on the upper floors, where appropriate".

However, towers that are wholly residential, such as Strata SE1 at Elephant & Castle, are not usually expected to offer public access.

Therefore St George's latest proposals have eliminated the sky deck, depriving Londoners of the opportunity to enjoy views from the top of the tower which will be located equidistant between the Palace of Westminster and Tower Bridge.

It should be noted that the original plans for the Beetham Tower were drawn up at a time when there was uncertainty as to whether the Shard – which will offer public access – would ever be built.

It is unclear whether two similar high-level viewing galleries just a mile apart would be economically viable as visitor attractions.

• St George has announced that a public exhibition of the revised proposals will be held at the London Nautical School in Stamford Street on Monday 23 January between 5pm and 8pm.

• There are further indications that after several years of stagnation the Blackfriars Road skyscraper boom is back on: work will start this month on the 20-storey tower at 240 Blackfriars Road with completion due in early 2014.

Fuck yea! Awesome tower :cheers:

Posted in the UK section

http://www.oneblackfriars.com/images/homepage-slider/archive/home1.jpg

http://www.oneblackfriars.com/images/homepage-slider/archive/home2.jpg

http://www.oneblackfriars.com/images/homepage-slider/archive/home3.jpg

http://www.oneblackfriars.com/images/homepage-slider/archive/home4.jpg

http://www.oneblackfriars.com/images/media/image_gallery/proposed_development/BL002_0007877_view_A7_b.jpg

http://www.oneblackfriars.com/images/media/image_gallery/proposed_development/BL002_0007876_view_A6_b.jpg

Stunning tower....only in London.

Finally!

Nice one. :)

Apparently there won't be a skydeck?

It's terrific news this one is going ahead. :cheers2:

Apparently there won't be a skydeck?

Correct. And the developers are planning to replace the hotel part with more apartments. Don't worry though, there will be viewing platforms on the Shard, 20 Fenchurch street (which will be free) along with the existing observation platforms on the Monument, St.Paul's and the Eye.

Not too keen on it to be honest...
That view will be great though cause The Shard and The Pinnacle look fantastic!

I doubt the City will have any major skyscraper soon after the current projects are finished so the South Bank is the future.

I doubt the City will have any major skyscraper soon after the current projects are finished so the South Bank is the future.

If I am not mistaken, there are a couple of other projects proposed surrounding the Beetham Tower. It would definitively be a nice cluster. The existing tower next to it will also get a recladding.

EDIT: found them

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/imageuploads/ic.63260ea51bf9221a7e40bbd3807eb2d2.337x450x1201095477_80,o177,o117,o97,j.jpg

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/imageuploads/ic.ecb8b6f4a7581fe1ec4485ad300ec99d.450x337x1201096005_80,o177,o117,o97,j.jpg

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/521520BlackfriarsRoadResidentialTower_pic2.jpg

That would a good start. :cheers2:

Preparation works are starting on this one nearby:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/1-6.jpg

stunning!

What's the name of this one?

Preparation works are starting on this one nearby:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/1-6.jpg

Without it, Beetham Tower would top out at 157m, compared to Blackpool Tower's 153m, and I think it's no coincidence they felt the need to tack on an extra 12m or so with the blade.

Walked past and saw the hoardings for this yesterday - the logo reminds me a little of Fenchurch St.

So happy this is going ahead - it's taken a bit of the sting out of the Pinnacle being put on hold again.