The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment has criticised plans for a major redevelopment of Elizabeth House at London’s Waterloo Station.
The government’s architecture watchdog said the scheme proposed by P&O Estates and Morgan Stanley Real Estate Funds (MSREF) did not demonstrate that ‘this quantum of development…results in a succesful scheme’.
It said it regarded the design of the residential tower as ‘general successful’ but said the proportions of the office buidligns, in particular their length, should be re-examined in relation to the whole scheme and to prevent ‘wall-like’ appearances.
Across three buildings
The developers submitted an application in June for a 1.4m sq ft Allies & Morrison-designed scheme across three buildings at the site of Elizabeth House, a dilapidated 1960s office building that runs the length of Waterloo station.
The office element totals 845,000 sq ft in two office blocks of 28 and 22 storeys while 280 flats will be developed in a 33-storey building.
P&O and MSREF are already facing a battle with Lambeth Council over the provision of affordable housing (PW News 02.11.07). The council has commissioned Atisreal to provide an independent report on the ability of the scheme to support affordable housing.
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