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The site of the disused London Park Hotel is being given new purpose as property developer Mace advances on their 45-storey Newington Butts Tower. Construction is pushing the Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners-designed tower towards becoming one of the tallest residential blocks in the city, and in the process, forming a key component in the wider regeneration of the Elephant and Castle area.
The property is large enough to accommodate the octangular skyscraper and an adjacent seven-storey block. In total, the development will offer a mix of 457 private residences, while a 180-seat theatre for Southwark Playhouse and a concession cafe constitute the project's public contributions. The tower's floor plates are sub-divided into eight triangular apartments, giving way to unique corner balconies. These outdoor spaces extend four metres from the building envelope, supported by cables to provide damping against induced vibration. The cables then stretch to the roof, where the distinctive crown is formed. This exoskeletal ornamentation serves as both an architectural embellishment and an important structural component to the multi-faceted building.
The mid-rise building is composed of a progression of pavilions connected by transparent cores that maintain viewpoints to St. Mary’s Churchyard. The development's green credentials are palpable — communal roof gardens and green spaces provide calming gathering places while 500 bicycle spaces are incorporated into the site. For residents' enjoyment, a sky lounge on the 45th floor and a gymnasium will be included within the building.
The development marks the first time the Greater London Authority has supplied land for the construction of purpose-built rental accommodations. The move represents a recognition of the need for — and action in providing — more rental units in the capital.
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