The architect who narrowly missed out on the Ground Zero project in New York is to design a new skyscraper in the City of London.
Land Securities has selected Uruguayan-born Rafael Vinoly to design a tower on the site of 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3, the present 24-storey headquarters of investment bank Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein.
The project will be the first London scheme for the architect, who is best known for his New York skyscrapers.
Vinoly was the favourite for the iconic Ground Zero project after making the final shortlist of two in 2003. The government-appointed jury selected him, but the governor of New York overruled the decision in favour of Studio Libeskind.
Vinoly’s appointment follows LandSec’s selection of two other big-name architects for its City schemes. Last year it chose French architect Jean Nouvel to design the 900,000 sq ft (83,600 sq m) One New Change, EC4, opposite St Paul’s. And Richard Rogers Partnership is designing a 250,000 sq ft (23,200 sq m) residential scheme at Bankside, SE1.
Mike Hussey, managing director of LandSec’s central London portfolio, said: “We liked Vinoly’s approach and initial ideas. He is an exciting architect, so has been asked to look into scale and massing.”
Although a groundscraper has not been ruled out, Hussey said: “I would have thought he would lean towards a tower as we have a prominent tower here already. And not everyone is capable of doing high-rise buildings.”
While the building does not fall within the centre of the City cluster zone, it is expected to create 400,000-500,000 sq ft of space, which will be mainly offices with some shops.
Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein will be moving to 30 Gresham Street, EC2.
References: EGi News 21/02/05
