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Today's Viewbear is soaking up the sun and taking in the breathtaking views of Manchester's iconic skyline! 🐻🏙️ Imagine what this little explorer might be thinking as he gazes over the city's legendary architecture and bustling streets. Is he dreaming of a stroll down Deansgate or planning a visit to the historic Manchester Town Hall? Out of interest, what's your favourite spot in Manchester? Comment below! #PropertyManagers #PropertyMarket #UKProperty

I recently joined Open City's tour of Vauxhall, Nine Elms & Battersea Power Station regeneration zone. It was a fascinating insight into the transformation of this once industrial area 🏭 into a vast new £15 billion mixed-use district which has reshaped London’s skyline. Landmark buildings 🌟 include Prospect Place by Frank Gehry, his first building in Britain and a stunning example of his twisted architectural style, the engineering marvel of Embassy Garden’s sky pool, and of course the iconic Power Station. Versace Home designed luxury apartments sit like a T-shaped Tetris block among student accommodation. And the US embassy stands proudly as a fortified translucent cube surrounded by a moat. Every corner tells a story of architectural innovation.🔥 Terry Farrell’s post-modern MI6 building, featuring 🚀rocket-proof concrete and green glass with New York art deco vibes, is echoed in the design of the St George’s Wharf riverside development. The MI6 building was originally designed as residential apartments, however the north facing balconies, coupled with the economy at the time, caused the building to remain empty until it was adapted to become MI6’s HQ. Who knew the outside of Battersea Power Station was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott who also created the iconic red telephone box? 📞 Over 30 years ago you could buy the Power Station for £1.5m, an absolute steal considering the rooftop villas cost £8m today! 💰 Following it’s decommission, the building remained empty for almost 40 years. There were many proposals of what it could become, from a theme park to Chelsea’s new football stadium.⚽ Disappointing, Battersea Power Station was approved to deliver a much higher % of affordable housing which has ended up being only 9%. A reminder of the challenges we still face in creating inclusive communities.🤝 Fun fact 😁 👉 Falkes’ Hall was the home of Falkes de Breauté an anglo-norman soldier who earned high office. Over 500 years the name evolved to Fawkes Hall, Foxhall and finally Vauxhall. #UrbanRegeneration #ArchitecturalMarvels #CommunityDevelopment #BuiltEnvironment #InclusiveCommunities

Skyscraper matching The Shard is set for approval!!! A 309.6m (1,016ft) skyscraper, matching #TheShard's height, is set for approval in central #London. Named 1 Undershaft, it will replace the 28-storey Aviva Tower, offering office and retail space, a viewing gallery, and a garden. Historic England has opposed the plans, citing concerns about the impact on the area's character and historic sites, including the Tower of London and St James’s Park. The Twentieth Century Society also objected, highlighting the significance of the existing 1960s Aviva Tower. If approved by the City of London’s planning committee, the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the next Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary would need to review the proposal. The new 74-floor #skyscraper would replace a vacant 28-storey tower, featuring office and retail space, a viewing gallery, and a garden. It would be the tallest building in the City of London’s skyline. The plans were revised from a previously approved 72-storey design to address post-pandemic needs and market changes. The GLA noted that the project does not fully align with the London Plan and requires more details on energy strategy, sustainable development, and traffic impact. Mayor Sadiq Khan will evaluate the public benefits against heritage impacts in his decision-making. #watchthisspace

My piece on the controversial new planning application for No. 1 Undershaft in the City of London is published this morning in Building Magazine. Heritage significance is very heavily impacted by setting. Think of cities as theatre, so that if we destroy the mise en scène of a historic asset, its meaning drains away. In just this way, oversailed by a huge cantilever, the medieval tower St Andrew Undershaft no longer reaches for the heavens, becomes critically diminished, and the Grade I listed church loses the status it has enjoyed for half a millennium. The City’s primary concern in deferring judgement on the new scheme appears to be anxiety about the loss of accessible amenity space for city workers. I’d add that a new ‘public open space’ ten floors up is no substitute when the public have the right to access all areas at ground level with their feet firmly to the pavement. Viewing platforms are frequently offered as compensation for harm caused by development but how many such vantage points does the City actually need? Just as importantly, heritage adds value. It is an asset, not an obstacle in the creation of wealth and wellbeing. The extraordinary catalogue of listed buildings with provenance spanning 500 years to be enjoyed at St Helen’s piazza is a prime example. I hope the City of London planners will now weigh this civic value appropriately against the worth of extra square feet of lettable floorspace in development that threatens to consume public open space at ground level and block out the sky above.

Great hotel project in Manchester

🚫🌷 Tulip Tower Rejected by London Mayor Sadiq Khan London’s skyline won’t see the Tulip Tower after all. Mayor Sadiq Khan has rejected the controversial project. Here’s what happened and why it matters: 1. Project Overview 🏙️ The Tulip Tower was proposed to be a 305-meter-high observation tower in the heart of London. Designed by Foster + Partners, it promised panoramic views and a unique addition to the city’s architecture. 2. Reasons for Rejection 🚫 Mayor Khan cited several reasons for the rejection: Impact on Skyline: Concerns about how the tower would fit with London’s historic skyline. Environmental Concerns: Questions about the sustainability of the project. Public Benefit: Debates on whether the tower would provide enough public benefit to justify its construction. 3. Public and Expert Opinions 💬 The project faced mixed reactions. While some hailed it as a modern marvel, others criticized it for potentially disrupting the visual harmony of London’s historic buildings. 4. Economic and Cultural Impact 💼 Proponents argued that the Tulip Tower would boost tourism and create jobs. However, critics were skeptical about its long-term economic benefits and potential cultural clash. 5. Future of Urban Development in London 🌱 The rejection of the Tulip Tower highlights the ongoing debate about balancing modern development with historical preservation. Future projects will need to consider these factors more carefully. To delve deeper into the details of this decision, check out our full article. Read More https://lnkd.in/eXRVbSCb 💬 What do you think about this decision? Should modern architecture take precedence over historical aesthetics? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👇 #TulipTower #LondonArchitecture #UrbanDevelopment #Sustainability #ConstructionNews

With all the justified excitement about how the new metro will transform Sydney, it’s fascinating to reflect on Bradfield's original "underground" plan for the city. This plan envisioned an integration of the inner-city suburbs with the broader rail network. Bradfield's design included underground loops through the inner east and inner west, with stations proposed in locations such as Paddington, Waterloo, Randwick Racecourse, SCG/Showground, Balmain, Callan Park, and Annandale. These lines would have connected to existing stations like St James, which was built with two additional unused platforms (hence the unusually wide platform and dual staircases today). The design, finishes, and signage of Museum and St James stations look very similar to the London Underground. Supposedly these lines were abandoned due to the Great Depression and capital needs of WW2. It’s interesting to imagine how Sydney might have evolved if these lines and stations had come to fruition. For an interesting read https://lnkd.in/gmP9kZH8

London’s skyline is set to welcome 583 new tall buildings, promising a blend of modern aesthetics and much-needed housing. However, as Natasha Bray, Head of Rights to Light at Rapleys, warns, developers must navigate the intricate challenges of Rights to Light (RTL) and Daylight & Sunlight (D&S) considerations. These factors are critical in ensuring the success of these projects and mitigating potential legal and financial risks. Natasha highlights the importance of early and thorough #RTL and D&S assessments to pre-empt any claims from neighbours, which can derail projects post-planning approval. Developers must approach these assessments not as mere formalities but as essential steps in creating harmonious living spaces for those occupying and those surrounding. Developers must consider more than planning permission, understanding risks from the start to protect projects against future claims. With careful planning and risk management, London’s future skyline can rise smoothly and sustainably. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eyBKFrwm. #ukproperty #buildingconsultancy #architecture #rightstolight

A term I like to use is context. What is the character of the neighborhood. It is however, important to understand that in urban environments, one of the elements of a stimulating environment is the juxtaposition of modern and classical, strong yet simple form coupled with classical architectural ornament. In college one of the first assignments I had as to create variety within order. This sums up what a great urban environment should be.