Sellar Property Group and Great Western Developments, a subsidiary of publicly listed Singaporean company Hotel Properties, have submitted a planning application for a 254m tall skyscraper next to Paddington Station.
The project has been designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, the architect of London’s tallest building, the Shard, which was also developed by Sellar Property Group.
Described by the developer as a “crystal light-reflecting tower [which is] set to become a major marker for Paddington”, the 72-storey multi-use skyscraper will be built on the former Royal Mail sorting office at 31 London Street.
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The proposed development is to be known as Paddington Place. It will contain 330 new homes, 108,000 sq ft of office space, 50,000 sq ft of retail, and be topped with an open-air publicly accessible “sky garden” and restaurant, featuring mature trees and plants.
The scheme would also see the redevelopment of Paddington Station’s entrance with the creation of a square in front of the station.
A new and enlarged Bakerloo Line ticket hall will be created (above). The tower (below) could become the tallest in London
A new and enlarged Bakerloo Line ticket hall (approximately four times larger than at present) will be created and illuminated by natural light from vaulted glass ceilings. As part of the reconfiguration, London Street will be realigned and augmented by a suspension bridge.
When complete the tower could become the tallest building in London, as at present only the Shard is taller. However, if complete the planned towers in the City of London at 1 Undershaft (294m) and 22 Bishopsgate (288m) would be taller.
The project was initially launched as a 224m, 65-storey building. However, sever floors have been added to this proposal, despite objections from Historic England.
In its letter dated 7 December, Historic England’s planning and conservation director Nigel Barker wrote: “[We have] very serious concerns indeed about the impact of the proposals on the historic environment.
“If there is another way of achieving the public benefits the scheme is said to deliver that avoids those impacts – principally through a much lower building – then the National Planning Policy Framework and the local plan would direct the developer and Westminster to that alternative.”
Irvine Sellar, chairman of Sellar Property Group, commented: “This exciting transformational development will enhance this important part of central London. Paddington’s transport interchange will be fit for purpose for the 21st century and the wider mixed-use development and public space will enhance the way residents, visitors, businesses and their people live work and play, and will make a major contribution in revitalising this district.”
Chris Lim, group executive director of Hotel Properties, added: “This is a unique opportunity involving an investment of over £1bn to provide many public benefits and a scheme which we believe will drive further investment in the wider area.”
