East End to be transformed by fifty-five tower blocks

Tower Block Pic: Rob McDougall

Tower Block Pic: Rob McDougall

Tower Hamlets is top location in London for tower blocks, with 55 currently in the pipeline a survey has revealed.

Data compiled by New London Architecture (NLA) shows that the capital is about to experience a surge in high rise buildings, 236 to be precise, which if completed will have a significant impact on London’s skyline.

The 20 to 60 storey constructions are currently proposed, approved or under construction and going to be concentrated in Central and East London.

Tower Hamlets council have said the majority of their proposed towers will be dedicated to housing with 43 planned for residential use, alongside five offices, three hotels and four for commercial and mixed use.

A spokesperson for council said: “The development of high rise buildings brings inward investment and offers business and job opportunities to residents as well as the provision of affordable housing, which must be met within each planning application.”

“The council secures substantial resources in planning agreements to fund improvements to existing infrastructure to accommodate the growth such as new and expanded primary schools, health centers, new open spaces, leisure facilities and other community infrastructure.”

However, despite the lack of affordable housing in the capital, the developments have been met with a mixed reaction with the most recent Ipsos Mori poll revealing that the majority of Londoners do not want to live in tower blocks.

To coincide with the survey, the NLA are holding architectural exhibition, London’s Growing Up, at their main office in Store Street.

The exhibition, which runs until June 12, realises London’s proposed skyline through images, models and interactive displays.

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