Plans for Europe’s tallest apartment tower block have been unveiled today which have been submitted to Tower Hamlets Council in east London.
The Shanghai-based Greenland Group has lodged the scheme at the Town Hall for a 67-storey twin structure on the Isle of Dogs, which would virtually overshadow the neighbouring Canary Wharf business district.
“This will be one of our most significant developments in Europe,” Greenland’s senior planner Setareh Neshati said. “This new tower will complement Canary Wharf and strengthen our presence in London.”
The scheme would provide 869 apartments at West India Quay, reaching more than 750ft high to dominate east London’s skyline if it gets approval.
The scheme by HOK architects is a stark, modern steel and glass twin ‘oval’ structure, which Greenland is promoting as “reflecting the heritage of the area”—although there is nothing about it that reflects the traditional 19th century waterfront architecture apart from the mass of glass that will be wrapped round the structure.
The proposals for the former Hertsmere House site has outline permission for an office block up to 242m, but Greenland has had to modify the proposal with the switch in planning away from commercial developments.
The site, purchased by Greenland in 2014, has a permit given in 2009 by London Mayor Boris Johnson to demolish Hertsmere House and put up new offices.
But the oncoming recession diverted priorities away from yet more offices to housing instead, to help meet London’s chronic shortage.
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