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Spire London

Coordinates: 51°30′26″N 0°01′29″W / 51.50715°N 0.02459°W / 51.50715; -0.02459
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Spire London
Artist's impression
Map
General information
Statussite preparation stage, overall project stalled
TypeResidential
LocationLondon, E14
United Kingdom
Address2 Hertsmere Road
Coordinates51°30′26″N 0°01′30″W / 51.5072071°N 0.025029°W / 51.5072071; -0.025029
Opening2021
OwnerGreenland Group
Height
Roof235.1 m (771 ft)[1]
Technical details
Structural systemConcrete frame and core wall system
Floor count67[1]
Design and construction
Architecture firmHOK
Structural engineerRobert Bird Group
Website
www.greenlanduk.com/uk-projects/spire-london/

Spire London, previously known as Hertsmere House, is a construction project located in West India Quay, near Canary Wharf. Developed by Greenland Group and designed by HOK, construction on the tallest building of 67 stories commenced in 2016, and (at that time) was targeted for completion in 2021.[2][3][4]

Upon completion, Spire London is due to become western Europe's tallest residential tower.[5] In total, the development is planned to have 861 apartments and expected to cost £800m to construct.[6][7]

As of mid-2019, works on the project were halted.[8]

History

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The entrance to Hertsmere House, which was demolished to make way for Spire London

Spire London is the third skyscraper proposed for the site previously occupied by Hertsmere House, an office building which was demolished to make way for the new development.[9] The first proposal was Columbus Tower, a 237 m (778 ft) residential building.[10] This was followed by Hertsmere House, a residential tower of 75 storeys and named after the building it was set to replace.[11]

In September 2014, Greenland Group acquired the site from Commercial Estates Group (CEG) and submitted a planning application for a new skyscraper which, at the time, was still known as Hertsmere House, before a name change to Spire London.[12] The application was approved by councillors at Tower Hamlets Council on 8 February 2016, with five councillors voting in support of the plans and three voting against.[13]

As part of the scheme, it was proposed that developer Greenland Group would contribute the equivalent of £50m to the local community.[4]

Though there were few objections to the design of the building, objections were raised about its location. The plans were opposed by Canary Wharf Group, Credit Suisse (whose offices it is planned to be located next to) and the Museum of London Docklands as well as some local residents who raised concerns regarding the density of the scheme and overshadowing in the local area. Concerns were also raised that the tower will be located next to a Grade I listed Georgian warehouse.[4]

Design

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The design of the building includes prow and bow shapes, taking inspiration from the maritime history of the docks where it is due to be built. It is also based on the petals of the orchid.[14]

Construction

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The site with just hoarding around the perimeter
Spire London Site, September 2020

Demolition of the office building previously on the site known as Hertsmere House began on 6 July 2016, with piling starting in January 2017.[1][15][5] By the summer of 2018, building work was due to have reached the halfway point, with the entire development expected to be complete in 2020.[16]

As of July 2017, piling work was ongoing and expected to be finished in November 2017. Basement work and main build were scheduled to begin by the end of 2017. In May 2017, it was announced by the developer Greenland Group, that engineering firm AECOM / Tishman Realty & Construction would be the construction partner for the scheme. At that time it was reported that the development was on course to be complete in late 2020.[17][9]

Following the Grenfell Tower fire and the independent review of building regulations and fire safety,[18] work stopped on the Spire in May 2018 while the developer looked at an additional stairwell for the upper floors, where only one had been planned for before.[19][20] However an article in a predated property newspaper indicates that a rethink may be in play due to the property downturn as a result of Brexit uncertainty and other economic factors.[21]

In January 2022, Greenland Group stated in a report to Tower Hamlets Council that the tower is "undeliverable in current market conditions", presents a "very significant commercial risk", and would only provide a return of £8.8 million. As a result, Greenland proposed removing all 96 affordable flats from the Spire, which would restore the project's financial viability by improving its return to over £50 million.[22]

As of 2023, construction work is still on hold, with the hoarded site remaining fenced off and empty.[23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Spire London - The Skyscraper Center". skyscrapercentre.com. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  2. ^ "HOK Scheme Approved for 67-Story Hertsmere House in London".
  3. ^ "HOK's Hertsmere House will be Western Europe's tallest residential tower".
  4. ^ a b c Broadbent, Giles (19 February 2016). "Planners back West India Quay's Hertsmere House 'with heavy heart". The Wharf. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  5. ^ a b Morby, Aaron. "Chinese start UK's tallest resi tower in London Docklands | Construction Enquirer". www.constructionenquirer.com. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  6. ^ Designboom
  7. ^ The Independent
  8. ^ "Real estate: post-crisis boom draws to a close". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 10 July 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Aecom lands main construction package for £800m Spire London tower". www.theconstructionindex.co.uk. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  10. ^ Architects' Journal
  11. ^ The Irish Times
  12. ^ Beecham, Richard (8 October 2015). "What does Greenland Group want to build next to Canary Wharf?". thewharf. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  13. ^ Broadbent, Giles (19 February 2016). "Planners back West India Quay's Hertsmere House 'with heavy heart'". thewharf. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  14. ^ Dezeen
  15. ^ "DEMOLITION - Hertsmere House". Hertsmere House. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  16. ^ Collinson, Patrick (5 September 2016). "Chinese firm to build Europe's tallest residential tower in London". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  17. ^ Prior, Grant. "AECOM team lands deal for £800m Spire tower | Construction Enquirer". www.constructionenquirer.com. Retrieved 7 July 2017.
  18. ^ "Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: final report". GOV.UK. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Greenland Group Halts Work on Spire London over Safety Concerns". 29 May 2018.
  20. ^ "Work stops on the Spire, the skyscraper with just one stairwell for highest floors". Thetimes.co.uk. 27 May 2018.
  21. ^ Stewart, Alastair (19 April 2018). "Tall story: Gravity pulls towering resi ambitions down to earth". Property Week.
  22. ^ Jessel, Ella (25 January 2022). "Bid to revive HOK's supertall Spire skyscraper by axing affordable homes". Architects' Journal. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  23. ^ Rogers, Dave (26 June 2018). "Aecom tower still on hold as developer works out what to do next". Building.co.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2020.

51°30′26″N 0°01′29″W / 51.50715°N 0.02459°W / 51.50715; -0.02459

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