Great Western Developments and Sellar Property Group have announced on Monday (December 14) that the planning application for the new 'skinny shard' in Paddington has been formally submitted.
The new 254-metre-high building will form part of the redevelopment of the former Royal Mail sorting office at 31 London Street, situated adjacent to Paddington station, will form part of the newly named, Paddington Place.
The proposed development has been designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, and is set to transform this part of London.
According to Great Western Development, the new building will be built on an acre plot of land and will include an elegant piazza.
The company say that the high-rise building will “be a new centrepiece for London" , a crystal light-reflecting tower set to become a major marker for Paddington, one of London’s most important transport hubs.
It will include a sky garden and restaurant, featuring mature trees and plants in the open-air, creating a unique experience for visitors.
The plans detail that the ramp that serves as Paddington station’s entrance will be removed and the whole area in front of the station opened up.
The station will also be extended into the new public space with the new piazza being established as a new ‘front door’ for the famous station.
A new and enlarged Bakerloo Line ticket hall, thought to be approximately four times larger than it is at the moment, will be created and illuminated by natural light from vaulted glass ceilings.
108,000 sq ft. of office space
The development company said that connectivity to the Circle/District and Bakerloo Line platforms will be enhanced, reached from a new point of access/egress, and will ease congestion from the entrance’s present, cramped location.
London Street will also reportedly be realigned with the inclusion of a suspension bridge, with the scheme designed to help link the site with St Mary's Hospital .
There will also be over 100,000sq. ft. of office space, with floorplates specifically designed to accommodate small to medium sized high-growth industries.
Paddington Place will also have 50,000 sq. ft. of retail and leisure space at Praed Street, with rail concourse and tube station levels.
Chris Lim, group executive director of Hotel Properties, commented: “This is a unique opportunity involving an investment of over £1 billion to provide many public benefits and a scheme which we believe will drive further investment in the wider area.”
Irvine Sellar, chairman of Sellar Property Group, commented: “This exciting transformational development will enhance this important part of central London.
"Paddington’s transport interchange will be fit for purpose for the 21st century and the wider mixed-use development and public space will enhance the way residents, visitors, businesses and their people live work and play, and will make a major contribution in revitalising this district.”
