Leicester Square

[potto]

yeah I agree, I cant believe that they go to all the trouble of pedestrianising that section around Eros and at the street level its what? I load of office block entrances?! A Closed record shop, entrance to a small theatre? I dont even know what there is there its that banal. It shouild be cafes, outdoor seating not a windswept bypass to the congested otherside! Oh and they`ll need to sort out the sewer system there before the cafes! Sigh

And what the hell has happened to Lillywhites?!?!?! I was gobsmacked it has turned into a chavtastic bargain sports fashion shop all full of jeans and those annoying suede effect boots. It was a mecca for the sports now it is a Fancy That of London, like Harrods turning into a Spar, shocking

The portrait of the Queen still hangs slanted on the stair case!

[JGG]

Originally Posted by pricemazda

I live in Covent Garden and the main problem with noise is not from bars and shops its from lone individuals in the middle of the night screaming. But thats because we all have traditional windows because Westminster Council has designated soho and covent garden conservation areas which means we can't have double glazing.

A conservation area allows fantastic neo-classical buildings such as Fortress house to be destroyed, but indeed you cannot have double glazing or paint your front door in anything than black. Why? For the former you can bribe Alexander Nicoll who will overrule his planners, for the latter it becomes pretty espensive compared to the benefit. If you thought it was just a Prescott problem, the conservatives still have some corrupt politicianns as well. But if double glazing is really important to you, just invite Alexander Nicoll for a nice lunch in a Michelin star restaurant, give a donation to the Conservative Party and you will get your planning permission within a few days. That's how it works in Westminster.

[gothicform]

jgg, you got anything to back that up?

[JGG]

Originally Posted by gothicform

jgg, you got anything to back that up?

Regarding double glazing and other conservation area issues, I hired a renowned planning consultant and he told me there was an easy way in Westminster Council but it depended on how much I was willing to pay. Also, quite recently, as part of regular inspections "a major London developer" was caught replacing all the windows of his grade-II listed house and replacing many authentic features, without planning permission. The Westminster planner wanted to take action but was held back. I know this first hand because we shared the same architect and planner.

Regarding the more serious issues such as eg Fortress and the Metrople, a Westminster councillor (Conservatives, not Labour) informed me about that. He also told me he regularly feels quite uncomfortable because developers like to invite councillors for expensive lunches and entertainment and for a lot of them the standard seems to be to accept these gifts. If he does not go along or criticizes it looks bad on him and reduces his political potential. As such not necessarily criminal, but if they pull out the constructions plans 15 mins into the lunch or entertainment, that is getting pretty nasty. I have no proof of briefcases filled with £ notes bing exchanged, but just ask anybody in Westminster Council how they did Fortress House.... The fact that completely different standards apply to residents and developers already tells you a lot. The name of Alexander Nicoll pops up frequently in this context (eg he was supporting the demolition of the Metropole).

[potto]

How ironic that Fotress House used to house the department for Town and Country Planning! It wouldnt suprise me, seems to happen all over the place, Cornwall councillers on the planning board were all found to be giving themselves including friends and family planning permisison for building holiday homes all over protected areas of outstanding beauty, the holiday homes were labelled as "sheds for farming machinary" but had kitchen and bathroom facilities lol

[pricemazda]

In Lincolnshire a local councillor was caught approving planning for a bypass which just so happend to go through his land, and was not the quickest or cheapest route!!!

That is corrupt.

[gothicform]

yeah, he even got sent to jail for it.

[pricemazda]

But the creme de la creme of corruption goes to Doncaster Council and Donnygate with their 'factfinding' missions to the Maldives.

Sorry CORRECTION the most corrupt council was Westminster with the Gerrymandering affair and Dame Shirley Porter, this involved selling council houses only in marginal wards to who they thought would vote Tory,

[Jamandell (d69)]

I found another skyscraper forum, it's American but they have a section on London (quite interesting seeing them hating things and this lone Brit or 2 converting them to like them) I haven't managed to read all of it, but I can across this...

First you had the gherkin, then it was the cheese grater, then it was the shard of glass, then the helter skelter....but now I bring you something else....



Designed for Leicester Square, this tower/structure is by Marks Barfield Architects (the same people behind the London Eye).

http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/sh...t=6580&page=11

...wtf?

[Varenukha]

I love it. I don't know what it is, but I love it.

[Jamandell (d69)]

Yes, I don't know anything about it apart from that person said on that forum. It does seem mad though, doesn't even look like it can be real. Also reminds me of that old dildo proposal again, lol. I'd love to know more about this.

[Update...]

http://www.marksbarfield.com/project.php?projectid=13

[Mr Bricks]

Looks great!

[JDRS]

Despite my concerns about what it looks like from Piccadilly I'd love to see this built! Looks 100 times better than the Swiss Centre.

[potto]

it also looks 100 times better than the latest proposal for the site! Oh well

[london lad]

McAleer & Rushe got the go ahead last night to demolish Leicester Square’s Swiss Centre


04.08.2006

By Laura Chesters

Northern Irish developer McAleer & Rushe got the go ahead last night to demolish Leicester Square’s Swiss Centre to create a hotel and leisure complex.

McAleer & Rushe bought the landmark from British Land in 2004 for £47m and submitted plans to redevelop the 112,000 sq ft (10,405 sq m) building as a mixed-use scheme with retail, restaurants, offices, flats and a hotel in March.

Its plans, produced by Jestico & Whiles, feature a 100,000 sq ft (9290 sq m), 230-bedroom, four-star hotel, alongside 16,000 sq ft (1,486 sq m) of retail and 10 penthouse apartments. The 40,000 sq ft (3,716 sq ft) basement, split across three levels, will contain restaurants and a casino.

Jones Lang LaSalle acted for British Land; Stan Cooney & Associates acted for McAleer & Rushe.

[shenqie]

Ah, ok, a cinema replaced by a casino. Good to see a nice large basement tho.

[Noostairz]

Originally Posted by london lad

McAleer & Rushe got the go ahead last night to demolish Leicester Square’s Swiss Centre


04.08.2006

By Laura Chesters

Northern Irish developer McAleer & Rushe got the go ahead last night to demolish Leicester Square’s Swiss Centre to create a hotel and leisure complex.

McAleer & Rushe bought the landmark from British Land in 2004 for £47m and submitted plans to redevelop the 112,000 sq ft (10,405 sq m) building as a mixed-use scheme with retail, restaurants, offices, flats and a hotel in March.

Its plans, produced by Jestico & Whiles, feature a 100,000 sq ft (9290 sq m), 230-bedroom, four-star hotel, alongside 16,000 sq ft (1,486 sq m) of retail and 10 penthouse apartments. The 40,000 sq ft (3,716 sq ft) basement, split across three levels, will contain restaurants and a casino.

Jones Lang LaSalle acted for British Land; Stan Cooney & Associates acted for McAleer & Rushe.

so what we're getting is this then:



link.

[Mr Bricks]

Looks cheap.

[Mr Bricks]

I wonder what this building will look like at night.

[jimbo]

Originally Posted by edennewstairs

so what we're getting is this then:



link.

that looks frankly dull, bland and boxy. Surely it needs something more distinctive for such a prime site????

The website says they are starting on site in Spring 06, well, I ran past the other day and I swear the underground NCP carpark is still open, and those tacky charity shops also seem to be still trading. Oh well.