Gherkin architect unveil giant towers for south London
These are the first images of a £500 million scheme that will transform the south London skyline.
The project to build four skyscrapers in Croydon will be launched officially at a property festival in Cannes next Tuesday. The designer is Ken Shuttleworth, former right-hand man of Lord Foster and the architect behind the Gherkin.
Construction is set to take place on run-down land along Cherry Orchard Road beside East Croydon station.
The tallest building would be 525 feet, have 52 storeys and contain about 1,300 homes. There would be two other residential blocks, one 279ft high with 35 storeys, and the other 216ft high with 19 floors. The remaining tower would be a 302ft office block with 35 storeys.
The six-acre site would include open spaces, shops and cafés. Detailed designs will be submitted to Croydon council in the summer. If approved, work could start next year.
Developer Menta has already received indications of backing from the council, the Greater London Authority and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. The scheme was first launched in March last year but was withdrawn after concerns over the towers' height. The tallest tower has now been moved to the centre of site.
