London, United Kingdom
American Prize for Architecture laureate Norman Foster’s proposal for a unique 305.3-meter-high visitor attraction named The Tulip Tower is getting close to becoming finalized and set for a green light.
In November 2018, a planning application was submitted to the City of London Corporation for The Tulip to be sited next to 30 St Mary Axe, also known as The Gherkin.
The £500 million project is proposed by the Syrian-Lebanese billionaire J. Safra Group and Foster + Partners, owners and architects respectively of 30 St Mary Axe. The company will fund the construction of The Tulip.
Deriving its name from its nature-inspired form, The Tulip would enhance The Gherkin, one of London’s most cherished and recognizable buildings, and offer a new state-of-the-art cultural and educational resource for Londoners and tourists.
The project in 2019, however, it was previously rejected by London mayor Sadiq Khan, stating that “the tower is limited in terms of public benefits and it has “a poor quality” and is “unwelcoming.”
Khan also added the development of the tower “would cause harm to the historic environment and the exiting composition of the tall building cluster.”
Khan said: “The development would compromise the ability to appreciate the Outstanding Universal Value of the Tower of London World Heritage Site and would cause harm to the historic environment.”
“It would cause harm to the character and composition of the existing tall building cluster, the wider skyline and image of London, and strategic views, as well as the public space surrounding the site.”
When a new set of images emerged in 2020, Foster described the project as “the Tulip is in the spirit of London as a progressive, forward-thinking city.”
According to Foster + Partners, since the turn of the Millennium, London’s skyline has matured with new high-rise buildings that reflect its growth as a global financial hub.
In addition, the City of London Corporation has been driving proposals to enliven the Square Mile by creating a Culture Mile with world-class tourist facilities.
The proposal for a unique 305.3-meter-high visitor attraction reflects a desire to build public engagement within the City and enhance The Gherkin’s public offering.
The Tulip promises wide cultural and economic benefits with a diverse program of events.
A key feature will be the education facility within the top of The Tulip, offering 20,000 free places per year for London’s state school children.
This educational resource, provided by the J. Safra Group, will deliver national curriculum topics using innovative tools to bring to life the city’s history and dynamism, inspiring the creative young minds of tomorrow.
The Tulip seeks to provide an unparalleled vantage point to view London from a height of around 300 meters.
The viewing galleries will offer visitors an engaging experience with sky bridges, internal glass slides and gondola pod rides on the building’s façade that will appeal to people across all age groups.
Visitors will benefit from interactive materials and briefings from expert guides about the history of London.
Complementing the experience will be a sky bar and restaurants with 360-degree views of the city.
Approval would be given by UK housing secretary Michael Gove who replaced former secretary Robert Jenrick in last month’s cabinet reshuffle, with a date of November 11 date discussed.
The construction budget of the Tulip Tower is expected to reach £500 million and Skanska is one of the four companies expected to build the Tulip tower. Skanska also led the construction on Foster + Partners’ Gherkin, also known as 30 St Mary Axe.
Project: The Tulip Tower
Architects: Foster + Partners
Client: J. Safra Group