Santiago Calatrava’s first major UK project will be the heart of the Greenwich Peninsula transformation
By David Malone, Associate Editor
A new £1 billion landmark meant to be the centerpiece of London’s Greenwich Peninsula transformation will provide 1.4 million sf of space spread across a podium and three connected towers. The striking, crown-shaped building will provide a multitude of amenities and services for the area such as a new tube and bus station, a theater, a cinema and performance venue, bars, shops, a well-being hub, workspaces, apartments, and hotels.
The Santiago Calatrava-designed building consists of a podium, which contains the two stations an the retail and entertainment aspects of the project, that gives rise to three separate towers that will house the offices, apartments, and hotels. These towers will be connected to the Thames via a new, latticed land bridge very reminiscent of other Calatrava-designed bridges.
Visitors and residents arriving in the new tube station will be greeted with an 80-ft-high winter garden and glass galleria.
Of the project, Calatrava says on the firm’s website, “It is an honor to be designing such a piece of the fabric of London, a city I love. In designing this scheme, I have been inspired by London’s rich architectural heritage and the very special geography of the Peninsula. “
Peninsula Place will become part of the Peninsula Central neighborhood, which will also contain two residential buildings designed by Allies & Morrison, the Greenwich Peninsula master planners. These three buildings will provide 800 homes, 200 of which will be affordable.
In total, the £8.4 billion transformation project will provide 15,720 new homes in seven new neighborhoods, become home to central London’s first major film studio, and add a new design district, as well as new schools, offices, health services, and public spaces.
SOM, Marks Barfield, and DSDHA will also be designing buildings for the Knight Dragon development.
