Planning permission has been granted for the redevelopment of a bulldozed space in Islington, bdonline.co.uk reports.
Developer, Henderson Global Investments, have gained approval for the construction of 15,400 sq m of office space. The site was formerly occupied by 1960s tower, Caxton House and is located on the corner of Charterhouse Street and Farringdon Road. Named ‘Charterhouse Place’, the building will comprise nine-storeys of offices above ground floor level retail space.
Distinguishable upper and lower buildings
The building has been designed by Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands as two distinguishable upper and lower buildings, apparently ‘in response to historic context’. The lower building will be clad in natural stone, while the upper part will use lightweight cladding panels plus full-height glazing.
Charterhouse Place has also been sculpted to respect two protected viewing corridors of St Paul’s Cathedral, upon which the building situated.
Achieving a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating, the roof is to be covered entirely in photo-voltaic cells, constructionenquirer.com reports, while green outdoor terraces will feature on 2nd, 5th, 7th and 9th floors. In addition, the building incorporates a combi biofuel heat-and-power plant plus ‘grey’ water recycling facilities.
The developer is now on the look out for a construction firm and is rumoured to have held conversations with Balfour Beatty, Skanska, Mace and Sir Robert McAlpine.
Landmark development
Commenting about the planning approval, Chris Waite, associate director at Lifschutz, said:
“Our work at Charterhouse Place was all about creating a landmark development that doesn’t overwhelm the charm of its surroundings.”
Author: Elizabeth Smythe Date Written: 11 July 2012