Development News
‘Can of Ham' Unveiled As Latest London Thames Gateway Skyscraper
Plans have been showcased for the latest iconic skyscraper in London Thames Gateway dubbed the ‘can of ham'. The 295ft glass and steel tower, designed by architect Foggo Associates, would be built in St Mary Axe, next door to the Gherkin. The developer, Targetfollow, said the 18-storey tower could join the Gherkin as the newest food-shaped London landmark.
The 295ft (90m) tower would be made of glass and steel and lie in the shadow of the pickled cucumber-like structure in the heart of the City and could be a ‘stunning and spectacular' addition to the capital's skyline, fitting in well with tall buildings nearby.
The design features vertical steel fins running up the building's curved faces to shelter it from excessive sunlight and minimise the amount of air cooling needed inside. There would be solar panels and thermal heating features to allow the use of some renewable energy. The planning application is expected to be decided upon in the autumn. If it is approved, construction is likely to take two to three years to begin, with a similar period before completion.
O2 Gets Go-Ahead For Expansion
Greenwich Council has granted outline planning permission for a second phase of development at the O2 entertainment complex on the Greenwich Peninsula. Possible uses for the extra 24,000 sq m being considered by owners AEG are a comedy club, a theatre, and/or a large visitor attraction.
The O2 currently houses a 20,000 seat arena, a cinema, exhibition space, the Indigo music venue, bars and restaurants and conference facilities. Planning permission has been granted to AEG, subject to conditions to allow them to develop a further 5,000 sq m for food and drink use, and another 19,000 sq m of leisure, sports and entertainment use. This would add another 39 per cent of space to what is already currently in use.
The new area will be in keeping with the design style of the building already in place, and the external appearance of the Dome structure will not change.
Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said: "The O2 is an internationally acclaimed landmark venue, and it attracts millions of visitors into the borough from across the UK and the globe.
"It forms part of the much larger area being regenerated as part of the Greenwich Peninsula Masterplan. The O2 success and these future expansion plans demonstrate how the long-term strategy for the area is coming to fruition."
Aman Dalvi, Chief Executive, Gateway to London, added: "We welcome the news of the enlargement of this already popular venue. Not only will the O2's expansion be great news for people wanting to pursue new leisure and cultural interests, but it will also provide employment opportunities for local people."
‘Superport' Plans Signal Long-term Benefits For London Thames Gateway
In two years time London Gateway, the UK's first 21st Century major deep-sea container port, will open on a former oil refinery site in Shellhaven, on London Thames Gateway's doorstep. Aman Dalvi, Chief Executive, Gateway to London comments.
One of the most eagerly anticipated projects in the wider Thames Gateway, the deep-sea port is set to be a genuine catalyst for the region, creating up to 12,000 new jobs.
Alongside the £1.5 billion port, developers Dubai Ports World will unveil Europe's largest logistics park offering 9.5 million sq ft for distribution, manufacturing and high-tech businesses. This will significantly boost the London Thames Gateway logistics offer, which already boasts easy access to the rest of the world via first class road, rail, sea and air hubs.
The port will cement the region's position as a natural distribution point for goods coming in from Europe via southern England - the Port of London currently handles over 50 million tonnes of cargo a year as one of the UK's three largest ports.
With work getting underway following Laing O'Rourke's recent appointment as Construction Manager for the first phase, I'm looking forward to the opening in two years time and the benefits that this will bring to the London Thames Gateway economy.
