Predictions for 2006?

[Newcastle Guy]

Theres been lots of discussion about this all over, and there is a similar thread in the Leeds section, so...

What can we see start or end construction in 2006?

How many more will we have U/C by next christmas?

Any 200m+?

[wjfox]

Hope you don't mind, but I renamed the thread - next year, we'll probably want to look back on this thread, so it will be easier to find.

[wjfox]

My predictions:

DIFA Tower will be resubmitted at a height of around 260-280m, and will be approved by around Easter/early summer.

London Bridge Tower, the UK's first 1000ft+ skyscraper, and the most stunning proposal in the world right now, will finally start groundwork, with Southwark Towers being vacated by the end of the year.

Beetham Tower will be approved, and will start construction by Easter, with the core starting to rise by early summer.

Broadgate Tower's core will be rising by around Feb/March, and making a significant impact on the skyline by late summer.

1 Millharbour will start shooting up.

51 Lime Street will top out by March/April, and the steel frame will be nearing completion by the end of the year.

At least 3 or 4 new midrises will start construction, including the Middlesex Street tower in the City, and News International on the City fringe.

[London]

Oh, and can i add... in the later half of 2006... expect more projects to be revealed. I was accualy suprised with the amount of proposals/approvals to this date. That's only the first wave of skyscrapers. As always... expect a second

[London]

Originally Posted by wjfox2002

My predictions:

Beetham Tower will be approved, and will start construction by Easter, with the core starting to rise by early summer.

Oh... do you believe that Beetham will witness an approval. I rekon some height deductions are right on its path. Nonetheless im fingers crossed with this one because, again, there are not any skyscraper as innovative as this one in the world today.

[london lad]

2005 has been a busy year such a shame the 2005 predictions thread was lost as would've been good to see how accurate our predictions where.

Anway apart form the obvious happening, Lime st, Pan P, Broadgate etc I reckon:

Provided Beetham gets through planning unscathed it will start in 2006
Norton Folgate will go in for planning & be approved
Wilkinson Eyre will finally go in for planning
We will get news on 2 towers of 500ft in the city of London
we will get news of at least one other 500ft tower in London
2 residential towers of 40 storeys or more will go in for planning.
RS will start construction (well bit of a long shot that one)
Battersea Power station will finally get some serious construction happening.

[DarJoLe]

Well I was very scathing last year and accused of negativity when in actual fact it turned out I was right on nearly all accounts.

So this year I'll be a bit more positive. But only a bit.

I think it's obvious to anyone the last few months have seen a return of confidence to the office market, especially in the City- but whether this ripple turns into a full wave will remain to be seen. Broadgate going up speculatively will certainly give other developers the raised eyebrow to sign on the line and at least start on something tall. The 50% sold apartments in Pan Penninsula surely gives the residential market something to crack on with in confidence as well.

I'd say 2006 will be the turnaround year. Bar any kind of disaster that wipes the economy out overnight I'll hope that we at least see the beginning of this so-called 'crane city' and see in 2007 with enough cores zipping up that we don't have time to make every office move and consolidation a priority on the boards. However, I think we'll also see a few more proposals bit the dust like Columbus have - as well as a few new ones that will hit the bumps.

Obviously the ones under construction - 51 Lime Street, Ontario, and Pan Penninsula, will continue, and I see the Broadgate core zooming up in the spring.

In Canary Wharf, I would see the remarkable selling of Pan Penninsula will mean Crossharbour finally starts somekind of work on the site in the summer, and I would say the Marsh Wall towers will see something happen. Office-wise, I doubt we'll see much, the remaining BP buildings will start later in the year, but I doubt Riverside South will see anything. A couple of rumours of take up maybe, but nothing substantial. North Quay and the remaining plot at Cananda Square I doubt will see anything until the business with Crossrail is done - and that's a long way off.

In the City, DIFA will be approved, and we'll see another tall scheme appear somewhere along the line. I also see a couple of generous mid-rises be proposed for a few plots around Minerva, which will drag on and not see any action. Norton Rose will leave 110 bishopsgate later in the year and move to the completed More London, and the site will begin demolition in the winter. They'll be the first tennant announced for 122 Leadenhall, but nothing of any substance will happen site-wise.

Beetham will drag on for a while. I can see a few people sticking their oar in over this, and Coin Street (which I predict will die a death in its current form). Vauxhall Tower will begin later in the year, with a core shooting up in early autumn.

London Bridge Tower, ah. Next year will be the decider. It can go either way, and I really really cannot decide which way it will go. On our side, we've been told PwC have to vacate the building by the summer or face legal action. Sellar and Piano are extremely determined to see this tower built. However, I know full well how stubborn PwC are being at staying in Southwark Towers - and from what i gather are willing to take this as far as they can financially to stay. The building is theirs, and they aren't willing to give it up for love nor money. I can easily see this dragging on for another year and it really will be make or break for Sellar whether he wants to continue this project. I sincerely hope these 'rumours' of infighting in the project are just that, and deals are being done and we can get this baby going - it is my favourite London project afterall - but I can't see anything concrete happen on site until the latter protion of the year, if at all.

What I do see happen next year is something at some point that will be a massive boost to the skyscraper 'boom' in London - I have no idea what, but I reckon Ken will say something, nudge someone or get someone on his side and denounce EH with a scathing remark. I can also see someone somewhere announcing these projects and skyscrapers must be up and complete before 2012, even if it is just a landmark date to have a new improved, beautiful London for the Olympics - and this will push a few people along to get these projects up in the sky.

And then we have that of course, 2012. I can see a handful of residential towers beign announced around Stratford, and the architectural plans for the individual venues will be released later in the year. Another point to mention is the beginning of the Mayor's 100 Public Spaces project which begins next year - turning 100 key interchanges in the Capital into pedestrianised car free areas - which will change London dramatically at street level.

So all in all, better than this year. I can see a real confidence returning to the market. They'll be a few bumps along the way and we may lose one or two of our proposals, but I reckon 2006 will be an exciting time, preparing us for what is likely to be a manic and core filled 2007. Let's hope.

[wjfox]

Originally Posted by DarJoLe

Another point to mention is the beginning of the Mayor's 100 Public Spaces project which begins next year - turning 100 key interchanges in the Capital into pedestrianised car free areas - which will change London dramatically at street level.

I didn't know about that - sounds very interesting.

[Zenith]

Another point to mention is the beginning of the Mayor's 100 Public Spaces project which begins next year - turning 100 key interchanges in the Capital into pedestrianised car free areas - which will change London dramatically at street level.

Yes im extremely excited about this ....JUST PLEEEASE part pedestrainise and do something about parliament square !

[Jake_the_Peg]

I'd like to make a few comments about DarJoLe's predictions, so let me first commend his courage for making some.
As to Southwark Towers, it's a matter of fact who owns them, and some of the more senior posters here state quite clearly it's Sellar.
As to there being a pivotal moment, maybe next year, I must say I disagree. I just cannot foresee a positive (for those seeking skyscrapers) shock. Every shock I can imagine is negative: more bombs, an economic downturn, another war, etc. The most positive shock imaginable happened this summer - unexpectedly winning the Olympics - and that had virtually no effect whatsoever.
Thirdly I believe we are in a skyscraper boom now. This is as good as it gets, folks. These things move slowly - London wasn't built in a day - many concrete carbuncles have met their fate, and lots of shiny glass buildings have begun rising in their place. We have had so many proposals it's unreal - and the number passing the planning hurdles is staggering. If it goes any faster than present then the quality threshold falls and I don't want that. I think we also underestimate Broadgate Tower which will be the tallest building starting construction in The City since Tower 42 began 34 years ago! I'm very confident that it will be overtaken within five years.

[Starscraper]

Nobody has mentioned anything about Minerva, so I will. Next will probably see it sorted out one way or the other. Either it will start or will be scrapped.

We should also find out whether or not the new buildings in Croydon will go ahead.

[andysimo123]

The Beetham tower in Birmingham will have the back redone to make it safe and look better.

[Manuel]

Manchester will stick to its crane city status for the years to come.

In London:
The residential market will continue to outperform the office market.
* St George + Marshwall + Convoy Wharf and the other scheme in Greenwich will see construction begins.
* Wembley will see its small towers up.
* Croydon dev will still be plagued by legal challenges...
* Stratford City will commence (phase 1) and interest for tall residential in around the subcentre will be expressed. One or two projects will begin.
* Building works on Battersea Power Station will be in full swing
* Kensington and Chelsea will finally accept tall residential building.

* Groundworks on Riverside South may start.
* Some news on new proposals in the City but not any tall activity.

[Jonny 5]

Originally Posted by Jake_the_Peg

I think we also underestimate Broadgate Tower which will be the tallest building starting construction in The City since Tower 42 began 34 years ago!

*cough*

*cough*

[Bob]

Originally Posted by Starscraper

Nobody has mentioned anything about Minerva, so I will. Next will probably see it sorted out one way or the other. Either it will start or will be scrapped.

True. They will either sell the site or progress with the tower. No company can afford to do nothing with such an asset.

[Bob]

A bit of the out-of-the-spotlight stuff

-We should get some more detailed news on both Kings Cross railway lands and Stratford city as CTRL construction activity completes. I think we can expect residential and hotel and office towers at Stratford up to 150m. At KX there may be one or two 20 floor residentials, but no more. It should however be a damn exciting project none the less. Site clearnances on the Olympic lands.

Planning application for a new London Bridge Station and Thameslink 2000 PI will run.

Potters fields towers will start construction in the summer.

More details and first construction around the dome later in the year.

Silvertown and Peruvian wharf projects should move forward but painfully slowly.

East London Line construction to start. Planning application for something at the old Bishopsgate Goods Yard (site of ELL Shoreditch station). Most probably high density residential and a mid-rise office block at the city end.

[Manuel]

Oh yes, King's Cross, works are very likely. Id more cautious on Peruvian Wharf and Silvertown.

Also, Reuters towers and in the first half of 2006, we'll probably see the Elektron towers at Blackwall.

[scouserdave]

Originally Posted by wjfox2002

Hope you don't mind, but I renamed the thread

In future, could you PM the person first before renaming the thread?

Hardly fucking Rocket Science chaps.

[DarJoLe]

Originally Posted by Manuel

we'll probably see the Elektron towers at Blackwall.

Definately - they've put up renderings by the site and a pile driver arrived last week, forgot to mention.

[Peyre]

Broadgate will be the largest by floorspace, not the tallest.