The think tank New London Architecture (NLA) has released the results of an independent survey to uncover the number of towers planned for the capital and how this will affect the people who live and work in the city.
As part of a major NLA Insight Study into the past, present, and future of tall towers in the capital and NLA exhibition London’s Growing Up!, which opens next month, the survey by GL Hearn has found at least 236 tall buildings over 20 storys are currently proposed, approved, or under construction in London, and set to dramatically alter the capital’s skyline. Initial estimates had originally placed the figure at 200.
This new trend for tall buildings will see 33 buildings between 40 and 49 storys and 22 buildings of 50 storys or more planned for London.
About half (48%) of the 236 towers have been approved and 19% are already off the starting blocks and under construction.
High-rise living sees the biggest surge, with 80% of the towers planned as new residential blocks for the capital—a total of 189 new towers, potentially contributing to tackling London’s housing crisis.
Tower Hamlets, traditionally one of London’s less affluent boroughs, is at the heart of the building boom as the biggest area of development, with 23% of the projects being planned there alone.
Central and East London are the focus areas for the most future developments, with 77% of the total planned tall buildings. Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, Greenwich, Newham, and Southwark have a combined total of 140 new towers, out of the proposed 236.
Of the remaining towers, 18 are set to be office developments, eight hotels, 13 mixed-use, and one tower is earmarked as an educational institute.
The results of GL Hearn’s building survey will inform the NLA Insight Study which investigates the past, present, and future London skyline.
Status of tall building development projects
113 (48%) of development projects approved
72 (30%) proposed applications
45 (19%) under construction
6 (3%) unknown
Primary use of tall building development projects reviewed
189 (80%) of development projects have a primary residential use
18 (8%) of development projects have an primary office use
8 (3%) of development projects have a primary hotel use
Only 13 (6%) of development projects have a primary mixed-use
Only 1 (0.4%) of development projects have a primary University/Educational Institution use
Analysis of London's five sub-regions
East: 107 projects
Central: 76
South and North: 22 each
West: 10
About NLA — London’s Centre for the Built Environment
NLA was founded in 2005 to provide an independent information resource and a forum for discussion and debate about London’s built environment for professionals, public and politicians. Since that time it has successfully established itself as a major focus for discussion about architecture, planning, development and construction in the capital with a yearround program of events, publications and exhibitions, and a core mission – bringing people and ideas together to shape a better city.
About the London’s Growing Up! exhibition
London’s Growing Up! is a free exhibition and is on show at NLA’s galleries at The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT from April 3 to June 12. Through the use of images, video, models, CGIs and visitor interaction, the exhibition will present a past, present and future view of London’s skyline as the capital’s developers focus on building upwards, rather than outwards.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
SAFTI FIRST hires Tim Nass as National Sales Manager
SAFTI FIRST, a leading USA manufacturer of fire rated glazing and framing systems, is pleased to announce the addition of Tim Nass as National Sales Manager. In his new role, Tim will be working closely with architects and contract glaziers in selecting the appropriate and most economical fire rated glazing solution for their project. He will also be coordinating SAFTI FIRST’s extensive network of architectural representatives throughout the United States.
| Aug 11, 2010
NCARB welcomes new board of directors
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) introduces its Board of Directors for FY10, who were installed during the culmination of the Council’s 90th Annual Meeting and Conference in Chicago.
| Aug 11, 2010
Berkebile wins $100K award for commitment to environment
Robert Berkebile, the founding principal of BNIM Architects and a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council, has been selected to receive a $100,000 Heinz Award. The award honors his role in promoting green building design and for his commitment and action toward restoring social, economic, and environmental vitality to America’s communities through sustainable architecture and planning.
| Aug 11, 2010
Polshek Partnership unveils design for University of North Texas business building
New York-based architect Polshek Partnership today unveiled its design scheme for the $70 million Business Leadership Building at the University of North Texas in Denton. Designed to provide UNT’s 5,400-plus business majors the highest level of academic instruction and professional training, the 180,000-sf facility will include an open atrium, an internet café, and numerous study and tutoring rooms—all designed to help develop a spirit of collaboration and team-oriented focus.
| Aug 11, 2010
University of Florida aiming for nation’s first LEED Platinum parking garage
If all goes as planned, the University of Florida’s new $20 million Southwest Parking Garage Complex in Gainesville will soon become the first parking facility in the country to earn LEED Platinum status. Designed by the Boca Raton office of PGAL to meet criteria for the highest LEED certification category, the garage complex includes a six-level, 313,000-sf parking garage (927 spaces) and an attached, 10,000-sf, two-story transportation and parking services office building.
| Aug 11, 2010
Draft NIST report on Cowboys practice facility collapse released for public comment
A fabric-covered, steel frame practice facility owned by the National Football League’s Dallas Cowboys collapsed under wind loads significantly less than those required under applicable design standards, according to a report released today for public comment by the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
| Aug 11, 2010
Callison, MulvannyG2 among nation's largest retail design firms, according to BD+C's Giants 300 report
A ranking of the Top 75 Retail Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
