London already has an Eye, a Gherkin, and a Cheese Grater. Now, the City of London has approved plans for The Tulip.
Designed by Foster + Partners (designers of the Gherkin), the Tulip will rise 1,001 feet in the air and be a new cultural and tourist attraction meant to build public engagement within the City and enhance The Gherkin’s public offering.
Viewing galleries at the top of the Tulip will include sky bridges, internal glass slides, and gondola pod rides (think the gyrospheres from the Jurassic World movies) on the building’s façade. Interactive materials and expert guides will enhance the experience for visitors and provide information about the history of London.
See Also: SOM-designed 100 Leadenhall Street will be one of the tallest buildings in the U.K.
A sky bar and restaurants with 360-degree views will give visitors a place to eat and drink high above the city. Another key feature at the top of the Tulip will be an education facility that offers 20,000 free places per year for London’s state school children.
At the ground level, there will be a pocket park alongside a two-story pavilion with a publicly accessible rooftop garden. Half of the perimeter walls around the already completed Gherkin will be removed to improve public access to the revamped site.
Construction is expected to begin in 2020 with completion in 2025.
Update
It seems as though the tulip will not bloom after all. According to the BBC.com, London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has rejected plans for the new tower. According to the BBC, the reasons behind the rejection were as follows:
– The design did not constitute the very highest quality of design required for a building in the location
– The proximity, height and material would have a negative impact on the Tower of London World Heritage site
– The space around the proposed building was insufficient to be safe and to prevent overcrowding
– A lack of new cycle parking spaces failed to comply with the London Plan for transport
The Foster + Partners team described themselves as "disappointed" by the Mayor's decision and will "take time to consider potential next steps for The Tulip Project."
DBOX for Foster + Partners
DBOX for Foster + Partners
DBOX for Foster + Partners
DBOX for Foster + Partners
DBOX for Foster + Partners
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Aug 7, 2015
Tribute tower to cricket world champs will be Sri Lanka’s tallest
The 1996 Iconic Tower will be a tribute to the country’s cricket team, which won the World Cup in 1996.
Vertical Transportation | Aug 5, 2015
ThyssenKrupp’s maglev elevator test tower almost ready
The 761-foot concrete tower will enable the manufacturer to test its maglev elevator prototypes. The new elevators will be moved by magnets, allowing for vertical and horizontal movement of multiple cars in one shaft.
High-rise Construction | Aug 4, 2015
Construction of Vietnam’s tallest building commences in Ho Chi Minh City
A 1,509-foot skyscraper broke ground on the banks of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
High-rise Construction | Jul 29, 2015
Jerusalem to get a high-rise pyramid by Daniel Libeskind
Are pyramids making a comeback? The city of Paris recently approved a triangle-shaped building that stirred controversy from residents. Now, the city of Jerusalem gave Libeskind's pyramid tower the go-ahead.
High-rise Construction | Jul 28, 2015
Work begins on KPF's 'flared silhouette' tower in Manhattan
The 62-story, 157-unit luxury condo tower widens at the 40th floor, resulting in a gently flared silhouette, accented by a sculpted crown.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
New York City changing zoning rules to reduce shadows cast by high rises
For decades, the New York City’s zoning rules have made it hard to construct high-rise buildings that seem airy and minimize the shadows they cast. The city planning department is now working to change that.
High-rise Construction | Jul 20, 2015
Morphosis' Casablanca Finance City tower to be topped with crown-shaped pinnacle
The tower will anchor a new business district being planned, similar to the glass and concrete business La Défense section at the outskirts of Paris.
High-rise Construction | Jul 15, 2015
Pelli Clarke Pelli's Wolf Point tower would be Chicago's fifth-tallest
Updated renderings from César Pelli's firm show a taller, slimmer design, possibly exceeding 1,000 feet.
High-rise Construction | Jul 15, 2015
Landmark status could delay Hancock Center renovations
Chicago officials have started to marshal documents to protect the tower against planned architectural changes.
High-rise Construction | Jul 13, 2015
Herzog & de Meuron’s triangle tower stirs controversy in Paris
The 590-foot glass pyramid building will include a 120-room hotel, 754,000 sf of office space, and cultural facilities.
