City North Finsbury Park | Islington | 2x21 fl | App

london lad · December 23rd, 2009, 03:25 PM

Following on from the Arsenal CZWG tower a large development right next to Finsbury Park has gone in for planning that includes 2 x 21fl towers.

Benson + Forsyth are the architects.

Looks like a high quality attractive development IMO in an area that needs a bit of a kick. Remains to be seen if it will get planning permission. CABE have given it a big thumbs up.

.Adam · December 23rd, 2009, 03:55 PM

This is much better than the last development, My only worry is that both building appear to be the same height, and the blockier section could have benefited from being slightly shorter.

I really hope (if this does get built) that the foliage stays, in areas like this greenery and foliage are desperately needed to lift the street.

potto · December 23rd, 2009, 04:50 PM

love the look of it looming behind the victorian brick. Very London.

Would have been nice for something a bit taller on one of the towers.

NothingBetterToDo · December 23rd, 2009, 04:56 PM

The towers looks fantastic, very detailed and decently proportioned (one is a tad wide however).

The podium section is a quite bulky though -sadly making it look a bit like a post war housing complex.

Overall though, a good looking scheme. Far better than that other pile of poo proposed down the road.

heywindup · December 23rd, 2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NothingBetterToDo

The podium section is a quite bulky though -sadly making it look a bit like a post war housing complex.

Yes, my thoughts exactly. I love the circular front but don't like the boxy back. The podium does look very grim, like a post-war public housing estate.

jimbo · December 23rd, 2009, 07:51 PM

I'd say very nice indeed! The greenery always gets my vote and its seems a good glass and metal finish.

delores · December 24th, 2009, 01:39 AM

judging by other buildings by Benson and Forsyth this will probably be quiet a sight, very impressed and something rather special for this up and coming area.

DarJoLe · December 27th, 2009, 02:20 AM

Love the Unite d'habitation meets De Stijl aura about it. I thought the architect's name rang a bell and then realised they'd done this very similar and successful scheme called 'The Pod' in Nottingham. Yep, can't wait to see the proposed one in the flesh.

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

DarJoLe · December 27th, 2009, 02:28 AM

BENSON & FORSYTH’S £80M CITY NORTH SCHEME TO TOWER OVER FINSBURY PARK
20 June 2008

Benson & Forsyth has revealed its £80 million City North project in London’s Finsbury Park, a mixed-use development of apartments, retail and leisure facilities.

The practice was selected for the 46,000sq m scheme in an RIBA competition ahead of John McAslan & Partners, Panter Hudspith, Flaq and Studio Egret West.

The project aims to provide a coherent framework for regeneration in the area, including 480 apartments alongside cafés and restaurants, retail units and a leisure facility still to be decided on.

Practice principal Gordon Benson said the design would be integrated contextually locally and at the citywide level.

“The chaotic geometry of the nearby railway line has effectively distorted the orthogonal nature of the city grid,” Benson said.

“Our scheme will reinstate an orthogonal geometry at local level, with bold vertical elements to establish its presence in north London and the wider city context.”

The project’s “assembly of volumes” is characterised by a podium over two floors, a raised garden overlooking Finsbury Park at second floor level, and above that an assembly of two towers, one cylindrical, one rectilinear.

“The tall buildings will simultaneously address both the park to the east and the City to the south, and will be an instantly recognisable signature,” said Benson.

The podium “repairs and extends” the existing urban pattern at ground level, and will integrate a proposed new concourse to Finsbury Park Station.

A planning application will be submitted early next year.

lyonsdown 2.0 · December 28th, 2009, 05:09 PM

Are they adjoining Fonthill Road?

mediadave · January 4th, 2010, 02:11 AM

I live in Finsbury Park, but i can't actually work out where this will be...

N4cer · January 4th, 2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mediadave

I live in Finsbury Park, but i can't actually work out where this will be...

You know where the old empty cinema is? I think it will be right near there - if not exactly there. The first picture on this thread

is from Isleworth Rd. Say you were going to walk from Finbo station to Sobell, this is the road you'd walk down.

mediadave · January 4th, 2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N4cer

You know where the old empty cinema is? I think it will be right near there - if not exactly there. The first picture on this thread

is from Isleworth Rd. Say you were going to walk from Finbo station to Sobell, this is the road you'd walk down.

So, if you come out of Finsbury Park Station and head right (West) down seven sisters road, this would be on your right?

tomosaurus. · January 5th, 2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mediadave

So, if you come out of Finsbury Park Station and head right (West) down seven sisters road, this would be on your right?

The road running along the bottom left is Fonhill Rd with Seven Sisters Running left to right up the right hand side (you can see the bridges)..

Going up Fonthill Road from the Seven Sisters jct, the first right is a dead end (as present) and the second is Wells Terrace, so the new development will sit around and above the tube station, looks like there will be a brand new entrance to the tube onto Fonthill Rd straight from the underground platform 'bridge' as well as Wells Terrace... looks great and much needed!

RedArkady · February 17th, 2010, 09:30 PM

While we wait for news of this project, folks might want to know about a redevelopment immediately north of this site that has just gone in for planning permission: https://www.islington.gov.uk/onlinep...caseId=P100197
It's about time this area was tackled.
Arky

shenqie · February 18th, 2010, 06:48 PM

That's and excellent development, good well thought out urban block, good in context, nice materials. mixed use.

RedArkady · February 19th, 2010, 12:07 PM

I agree! Though the detailed plans aren’t up yet for some reason, but it does look like an excellent piece of design to me. The associated streetscape renewal is desperately needed too.

Scary_ · February 28th, 2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mediadave

I live in Finsbury Park, but i can't actually work out where this will be...

If you're on the northbound platform of the station, the building you can see across the tracks has 'City North' written on it. I assume it's there.

They used to have an old railway carriage parked outside it, think that's gone now

RedArkady · March 31st, 2010, 08:22 PM

Planning permission was granted by Islington council last night. Anyone got any idea what the next stage would be - does Boris have to sign off on developments of this scale?

london lad · March 31st, 2010, 10:24 PM

Not sure if its big enough or contentious enough to get called in for a PI or for further Mayoral scrutiny. Was there quite vocal opposition to this as I haven't heard any? If not then its probably safe to say the approval won't be overturned.

December 23rd, 2009, 03:25 PM	#1
london lad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 8,156 Likes (Received): 45	City North Finsbury Park \| Islington \| 2x21 fl \| App Following on from the Arsenal CZWG tower a large development right next to Finsbury Park has gone in for planning that includes 2 x 21fl towers. Benson + Forsyth are the architects. Looks like a high quality attractive development IMO in an area that needs a bit of a kick. Remains to be seen if it will get planning permission. CABE have given it a big thumbs up.

December 23rd, 2009, 04:56 PM	#4
NothingBetterToDo Better To Do Nothing Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 10,536 Likes (Received): 1	The towers looks fantastic, very detailed and decently proportioned (one is a tad wide however). The podium section is a quite bulky though -sadly making it look a bit like a post war housing complex. Overall though, a good looking scheme. Far better than that other pile of poo proposed down the road. __________________ My Pictures: London - Amsterdam - Copenhagen - Berlin - Oslo - Bergen - Prague - Dublin

December 27th, 2009, 02:20 AM	#8
DarJoLe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 15,675 Likes (Received): 399	Love the Unite d'habitation meets De Stijl aura about it. I thought the architect's name rang a bell and then realised they'd done this very similar and successful scheme called 'The Pod' in Nottingham. Yep, can't wait to see the proposed one in the flesh. image hosted on flickr image hosted on flickr __________________ "I can quite confidently and with pride say that if everything goes to plan London 2012 will be the best Olympic Games and will surpass Barcelona and Sydney in terms of atmosphere, style and achievement. And not just about the sport. The whole city and its people will come alive and want to be a part of this. It just feels right." DarJoLe, May 19th 2006. Last edited by DarJoLe; December 27th, 2009 at 02:25 AM.

December 27th, 2009, 02:28 AM	#9
DarJoLe Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 15,675 Likes (Received): 399	BENSON & FORSYTH’S £80M CITY NORTH SCHEME TO TOWER OVER FINSBURY PARK 20 June 2008 Benson & Forsyth has revealed its £80 million City North project in London’s Finsbury Park, a mixed-use development of apartments, retail and leisure facilities. The practice was selected for the 46,000sq m scheme in an RIBA competition ahead of John McAslan & Partners, Panter Hudspith, Flaq and Studio Egret West. The project aims to provide a coherent framework for regeneration in the area, including 480 apartments alongside cafés and restaurants, retail units and a leisure facility still to be decided on. Practice principal Gordon Benson said the design would be integrated contextually locally and at the citywide level. “The chaotic geometry of the nearby railway line has effectively distorted the orthogonal nature of the city grid,” Benson said. “Our scheme will reinstate an orthogonal geometry at local level, with bold vertical elements to establish its presence in north London and the wider city context.” The project’s “assembly of volumes” is characterised by a podium over two floors, a raised garden overlooking Finsbury Park at second floor level, and above that an assembly of two towers, one cylindrical, one rectilinear. “The tall buildings will simultaneously address both the park to the east and the City to the south, and will be an instantly recognisable signature,” said Benson. The podium “repairs and extends” the existing urban pattern at ground level, and will integrate a proposed new concourse to Finsbury Park Station. A planning application will be submitted early next year. __________________ "I can quite confidently and with pride say that if everything goes to plan London 2012 will be the best Olympic Games and will surpass Barcelona and Sydney in terms of atmosphere, style and achievement. And not just about the sport. The whole city and its people will come alive and want to be a part of this. It just feels right." DarJoLe, May 19th 2006.

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December 23rd, 2009, 03:55 PM	#2
.Adam Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: London Posts: 1,550 Likes (Received): 25	This is much better than the last development, My only worry is that both building appear to be the same height, and the blockier section could have benefited from being slightly shorter. I really hope (if this does get built) that the foliage stays, in areas like this greenery and foliage are desperately needed to lift the street.

December 23rd, 2009, 04:50 PM	#3
potto Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Posts: 13,515 Likes (Received): 258	love the look of it looming behind the victorian brick. Very London. Would have been nice for something a bit taller on one of the towers.

December 23rd, 2009, 07:51 PM	#6
jimbo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Leeds/London Posts: 4,677 Likes (Received): 3	I'd say very nice indeed! The greenery always gets my vote and its seems a good glass and metal finish.

December 24th, 2009, 01:39 AM	#7
delores Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4,570 Likes (Received): 25	judging by other buildings by Benson and Forsyth this will probably be quiet a sight, very impressed and something rather special for this up and coming area.

December 28th, 2009, 05:09 PM	#10
lyonsdown 2.0 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 243 Likes (Received): 0	Are they adjoining Fonthill Road?

January 4th, 2010, 02:11 AM	#11
mediadave Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London Posts: 395 Likes (Received): 1	I live in Finsbury Park, but i can't actually work out where this will be...

February 17th, 2010, 09:30 PM	#15
RedArkady Viewseeker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London Posts: 487 Likes (Received): 18	While we wait for news of this project, folks might want to know about a redevelopment immediately north of this site that has just gone in for planning permission: https://www.islington.gov.uk/onlinep...caseId=P100197 It's about time this area was tackled. Arky

February 18th, 2010, 06:48 PM	#16
shenqie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 103 Likes (Received): 0	That's and excellent development, good well thought out urban block, good in context, nice materials. mixed use.

February 19th, 2010, 12:07 PM	#17
RedArkady Viewseeker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London Posts: 487 Likes (Received): 18	I agree! Though the detailed plans aren’t up yet for some reason, but it does look like an excellent piece of design to me. The associated streetscape renewal is desperately needed too.

March 31st, 2010, 08:22 PM	#19
RedArkady Viewseeker Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: London Posts: 487 Likes (Received): 18	Planning permission was granted by Islington council last night. Anyone got any idea what the next stage would be - does Boris have to sign off on developments of this scale?

March 31st, 2010, 10:24 PM	#20
london lad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London Posts: 8,156 Likes (Received): 45	Not sure if its big enough or contentious enough to get called in for a PI or for further Mayoral scrutiny. Was there quite vocal opposition to this as I haven't heard any? If not then its probably safe to say the approval won't be overturned.