Plans for 22-Story Tower Near London Bridge Approved

Foster + Partners’ plans to build a 22-storey office on stilts at the southern end of London Bridge have been given the green light by Southwark Council, Building reports. The redevelopment of Colechurch House will see the creation of 518,588 ft² of office space, as well as a new home for Southwark Playhouse theatre. The scheme will be divided into four elements, the staggered forms of which will feature winter gardens on every floor, topped by green roof terraces. The blocks will be lifted 18 m off the ground by steel columns and braces, with a new public park below stretching the length of the building. A lightweight footbridge will connect London Bridge Station to the site on Duke Street Hill. Work is expected to start early next year and, while a contractor has yet to be announced, Mace is construction consultant on the plans for developer CIT. Others working on the project include facade consultant Front, services engineer Sweco, cost consultant Arcadis and structures consultant AKT II. The scheme is targeting carbon dioxide savings of 55% relative to standard U.K. building stock, as well as an Outstanding BREEAM and Platinum Well standard rating.