There was great hullabaloo when The Shard was completed just one year ago. Not only was it financed by Qatar, but the 306 meter tower was said to have ruined the London neighborhood in which it was built. Now Renzo Piano has been commissioned to give the skyscraper a neighbor.
Sellar Property Group will once again work with investors from Qatar to bring a new project to the south of Thames River. The 27 storey residential tower will not only give The Shard company, but it will bring London an additional 150 apartments, retail facilities and a roof garden.
The property developers will revamp Fielden House – a 1970s office building on London Bridge Street, a move that will culminate in an additional 160,000 square feet of residential and commercial space for the dense urban environment.
“It is intended that this new building will ‘float’ some 14m above the enlarged public realm space on London Bridge Street, opening up new access routes between the two levels, and providing views down to Guy’s hospital, Kings College Campus and the proposed Science Gallery for the first time,” Sellar told The Guardian.
“A new generous staircase and a multi-level retail space will link the two levels, creating a new through route from the public Plaza and bus station above, to St Thomas Street below, significantly improving pedestrian circulation and quality of the public realm,” the group added.
Like Abu Dhabi via Masdar City, Qatar is increasing its international investment presence. Although it remains to be seen whether or not the London towers are sound investments.
According to The Guardian, the Shard’s 10 apartments have yet to be scooped up, nor are we surprised. They’re supposedly priced at £50 million a piece.
:: The Guardian
Image of The Shard / Shutterstock
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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