Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has told Irvine Sellar to make it clear how his proposed “shard of glass” (pictured) at London Bridge station will improve the local area.
Livingstone is insisting on greater improvements to the public areas around the 300m-high tower and has called for further details of the scheme’s benefits to transport and affordable housing.
He said: “A building of this size and in this location will help alleviate the shortage of office space in central London, which is significantly more expensive than rival world cities such as Frankfurt, Tokyo and New York.
“But it must also enhance its local environment and contribute to the improvement of it. That is why I am seeking a substantial package of benefits for Londoners, especially in terms of public transport.”
The Mayor’s conditions for his final approval will include a multi-million-pound package for a new bus station and improvements to the tube.
Livingstone said: “As well as being an outstanding piece of modern architecture which will make an exemplary contribution to the London skyline, Renzo Piano’s proposed tower will also deliver enormous regeneration benefits and global investment to northern Southwark, central London and London as a whole.”
If built, the 66-storey London Bridge tower will be the tallest building in Europe, providing over 800,000 sq ft (74,320 sq m) of offices, along with shops, a hotel and flats.
EGi News 21/02/02
