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Black Pearl Limited, a subsidiary of Malaysia property developer IGB Corporation Berhad, has proposed a mixed-use development in London that would include two skyscrapers and a central public space as its defining elements. Wilkinson Eyre is the master planner of the 18 Blackfriars scheme and the architect behind the 178.5-metre, 52-storey residential tower, with Brisac Gonzalez designing the 136-metre, 32-storey office volume.
The site — which neighbours the One Blackfriars development — would be opened up to allow for the blossoming of a garden space. It would share a connection to the existing Christ Church Gardens and feature a number of soft and hard landscaping components, a children's play area, and al fresco dining spots. The habitable portions of the property are set to contain 548 hotel rooms, 227 residential market units, 64 affordable housing units, over 25,000 square metres of office space, and nearly 3,000 square metres of retail space.
The residential tower would rise from Stamford Street and become the most visible ingredient of the development from afar. The simplicity of the envisioned rectangular floor plate is exploited through the creation of numerous stacked blocks that are independently angled to catch the sunlight differently. A series of planted balconies are planned to delineate the separation between each block. Retail would be situated on the ground floor, followed by eight levels of hotel rooms. The remaining interior program will be solely residential. Amenities on levels 13 and 14 would include a pool, gym, lounges and external terraces.
The office building is slated for the eastern boundary of the site. It too would host ground-level retail — a planned public rooftop restaurant and outdoor area detaches the tower from the residential building's functional dynamic. The tower takes the form of three glazed vertical blocks that are organized along a north-south axis. The office building focuses less on the physical form of the building and more on the articulation of the facade, which would employ pleated-like glass, smooth curtain wall, and textured metal grooves. Much of these details were unveiled at a public consultation and WilkinsonEyre is hoping to submit a formal planning application for the project "shortly."
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