Exemplar’s 300,000 sq ft office and retail scheme at Spitalfields, E1, could be saved from the scrap heap after Mayor of London Boris Johnson decided to intervene.
A planning application for the Fruit and Wool Exchange was rejected by Tower Hamlets councillors earlier this month.
But Johnson has now written to Tower Hamlets to inform it of his decision to take over determination of the application.
Johnson said he took the decision on the grounds that the scheme is in line with planning policy and will generate employment.
The application will now be decided over the next two to three months.
The scheme would have required demolition of an assortment of historic buildings, including partial demolition of the exchange and complete demolition of the Gun pub and White Row car park.
Exemplar plans to redevelop the neighbouring office buildings 99-101 Commercial Street and 54 Brushfield Street.
An Exemplar spokesman said: “The Mayor clearly recognises the that the scheme will play an important part in completing the regeneration of Spitalfields and the importance of creating jobs for local people in Tower Hamlets.”
The campaign against the plans was fronted by TV historian Dan Cruickshank.
jack.sidders@estatesgazette.com
