A high rise for London and urban-density musings in Cork, Ireland

Greenery-Clad Tower Greenlit in London Despite Opposition

A 36-story, nearly 500-ft-tall office tower designed by Eric Parry Architects at 50 Frenchurch Street in central London has been greenlit by the City of London Corp.’s Planning and Transportation Committee, despite opponents who contend it will block views of the historic Tower of London, The Architect’s Newspaper reported in May. Clad in climbing plants on the south, north and east elevations with a green rooftop terrace, the tower will be the first structure in London “to incorporate greening on such a large scale,” according to the city. Studies previously found it will not block Tower of London views, although it will affect views and shading of an adjacent Parry-designed building. On the drawing board are 645,000 ft2 of office space, 8,600 ft2 of retail and revitalization of a historic church tower and crypt.

Irish City to Fund Study Focused on Tall Buildings

The city council in Cork, Ireland, is working to identify areas of the city suitable for future high-rise developments, the Irish Independent reported on June 10. The city is already home to the 17-story Elysian Tower — once the country’s tallest building —and U.S.-based developer Tower Developments is set to build Custom House Quay (ELEVATOR WORLD, September 2019), a 34-story high rise that will be home to a hotel. City officials plan to fund a study that will provide “new thinking” for a city development blueprint offering a coherent urban-density policy regarding future tall-building development that helps maintain the city’s “unique and special character” for 2022-2028. Ireland’s current tallest building is the 22-story Capital Dock in Dublin. In February, An Bord Pleanála, a government planning arbiter, approved plans for a 24-story apartment building on Albert Quay in Cork.