London’s mayor rejects plan for 305-metre ‘Tulip tower’ by architects of Hong Kong International Airport
- Design of proposed skyscraper by Norman Foster’s firm deemed not good enough
Plans to build a 305-metre skyscraper dubbed “The Tulip” in the City of London near the Thames have been thrown out by the capital’s mayor, Sadiq Khan.
The building, designed by Norman Foster’s architectural practice, would have been the second tallest in western Europe, but its design was deemed not to be good enough for such a prime location.
The project’s backers had said it would attract 1.2 million visitors a year but its detractors worried it would damage some of London’s most recognisable historical views.
The scheme had initially received the go-ahead but on Monday Khan dashed the hopes of its designers, Foster and Partners.
That firm has a long history of designing buildings and infrastructure in Hong Kong, including Hong Kong International Airport and Kai Tak cruise terminal.
“The mayor has a number of serious concerns with this application and having studied it in detail has refused permission for a scheme that he believes would result in very limited public benefit,” Khan’s spokesman said.
