The think tank New London Architecture (NLA) has released the results of an independent survey to uncover the number of towers planned for the capital and how this will affect the people who live and work in the city.
As part of a major NLA Insight Study into the past, present, and future of tall towers in the capital and NLA exhibition London’s Growing Up!, which opens next month, the survey by GL Hearn has found at least 236 tall buildings over 20 storys are currently proposed, approved, or under construction in London, and set to dramatically alter the capital’s skyline. Initial estimates had originally placed the figure at 200.
This new trend for tall buildings will see 33 buildings between 40 and 49 storys and 22 buildings of 50 storys or more planned for London.
About half (48%) of the 236 towers have been approved and 19% are already off the starting blocks and under construction.
High-rise living sees the biggest surge, with 80% of the towers planned as new residential blocks for the capital—a total of 189 new towers, potentially contributing to tackling London’s housing crisis.
Tower Hamlets, traditionally one of London’s less affluent boroughs, is at the heart of the building boom as the biggest area of development, with 23% of the projects being planned there alone.
Central and East London are the focus areas for the most future developments, with 77% of the total planned tall buildings. Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, Greenwich, Newham, and Southwark have a combined total of 140 new towers, out of the proposed 236.
Of the remaining towers, 18 are set to be office developments, eight hotels, 13 mixed-use, and one tower is earmarked as an educational institute.
The results of GL Hearn’s building survey will inform the NLA Insight Study which investigates the past, present, and future London skyline.
Status of tall building development projects
113 (48%) of development projects approved
72 (30%) proposed applications
45 (19%) under construction
6 (3%) unknown
Primary use of tall building development projects reviewed
189 (80%) of development projects have a primary residential use
18 (8%) of development projects have an primary office use
8 (3%) of development projects have a primary hotel use
Only 13 (6%) of development projects have a primary mixed-use
Only 1 (0.4%) of development projects have a primary University/Educational Institution use
Analysis of London's five sub-regions
East: 107 projects
Central: 76
South and North: 22 each
West: 10
About NLA — London’s Centre for the Built Environment
NLA was founded in 2005 to provide an independent information resource and a forum for discussion and debate about London’s built environment for professionals, public and politicians. Since that time it has successfully established itself as a major focus for discussion about architecture, planning, development and construction in the capital with a yearround program of events, publications and exhibitions, and a core mission – bringing people and ideas together to shape a better city.
About the London’s Growing Up! exhibition
London’s Growing Up! is a free exhibition and is on show at NLA’s galleries at The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, London WC1E 7BT from April 3 to June 12. Through the use of images, video, models, CGIs and visitor interaction, the exhibition will present a past, present and future view of London’s skyline as the capital’s developers focus on building upwards, rather than outwards.
Related Stories
Sponsored | | Nov 6, 2014
To build your strongest team, don't hire clones
To attract and keep talented individuals who are different than you, Entrepreneur magazine suggests a few foundational principles. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Nov 6, 2014
Hines planning tall wood office building in Minneapolis
The Houston-based developer is planning a seven-story wood-framed office building in Minneapolis’ North Loop that will respect the neighborhood’s historic warehouse district look.
| Nov 6, 2014
Studio Gang Architects will convert power plant into college recreation center
The century-old power plant will be converted into a recreation facility with a coffee shop, lounges, club rooms, a conference center, lecture hall, and theater, according to designboom.
Sponsored | | Nov 6, 2014
Drilling deeper: On the ground insights from the Marcellus Shale region
The Marcellus Shale region is expansive, stretching from upstate New York through Pennsylvania to West Virginia. It’s an exciting time to live and work in the area. SPONSORED CONTENT
| Nov 5, 2014
AEC firms leverage custom scripts to bridge the ‘BIM language gap'
Without a common language linking BIM/VDC software platforms, firms seek out interoperability solutions to assist with the data transfer between design tools.
| Nov 5, 2014
Survey: More than 75% of workload takes place without face-to-face interactions
With the rise of technology, much of the workday—even the most productive morning hours—is spent corresponding via email or conference call, according to a recent survey of corporate workers by Mancini•Duffy.
| Nov 5, 2014
The architects behind George Lucas' planned Chicago museum unveil 'futuristic pyramid'
Preliminary designs for the $300 million George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art have been unveiled, and it looks like a futuristic, curvy pyramid.
Sponsored | | Nov 5, 2014
How to maximize affordability and sustainability through all-wood podiums
Wood podium construction takes an age-old material and moves it into the 21st century.
| Nov 4, 2014
Zaha Hadid's first building in Shanghai debuts
Sky SOHO is the third in a trilogy of SOHO China developments designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.
| Nov 4, 2014
HOK breaks ground on colossal research complex for LG in Seoul
Located in Seoul’s Magok District, the LG Science Park provides facilities to support innovative research and industrial prototyping. HOK designed phase one of the master plan and six of the laboratory and office buildings.