A recent report, Tall Towers, revealed that there are currently 100 residential tower blocks either being built or planned across London. Right on cue, Southwark council has given a big thumbs up to a 37-storey building at Elephant and Castle.
Named St Mary's Residential, the 127m tower will contain 284 abodes and be the second lofty des res in the area, following the Carbuncle-winning Strata, which was completed in 2010. Unlike its turbine-topped neighbour, St. Mary's will not contain any provision for affordable accommodation, a depressing if not particularly surprising move; for its part Southwark council insists that this "exception" is to allow a new gym and leisure centre, complete with 25m pool, to be built as part of the development. There will also be retail space and up to 400m sq of what is described as 'creative business' space.
St Mary's Residential is the next stage in the lengthy process of regenerating Elephant & Castle, which is due to be completed in 2025.
In other south London skyscraper news, One Blackfriars (the "Boomerang" building) was recently approved, while across the road another new tower on the site of art deco office block Ludgate House has also been submitted for planning; both can be seen in this image.
