‘The Cloud’ By Foster + Partners/ Jean Nouvel To Be Abandoned
Spanish property company Metrovacesa leaves this major project by two of the world’s most celebrated architects. The development was much delayed following legal battles between developer and site owner.
Masterplan
This major mixed-use scheme regenerates an important 3.5 acre site in the heart of the City close to the Bank of England. Reflecting the successful long-term strategy of the Broadgate model, Walbrook Square is directed at a mixed community of users. As well as high specification office space for financially based city tenants, the scheme creates a new and eclectic retail offer for the area. Four office buildings will be developed around a central square and pedestrian streets, with shops and cafés creating lively edge spaces. The Walbrook Square masterplan re-opens a network of old City routes and adds new ones to ensure the scheme’s permeability and engagement with its surroundings.
Sustainability
Renewable energy technologies will include photovoltaics and ground water cooling, and rainwater harvesting will also be employed. The Walbrook Square project will incorporate a new entrance to the Waterloo and City Line. One of the project’s great opportunities is the recreation of the Roman Temple of Mithras, built on this site c., 240. Its remains were uncovered in 1954 and rebuilt some way to the west. The Walbrook Square development allows the temple to be returned and reunited with the remains of the original fabric. It will be reconstructed at Roman ground level (some 6m below street level) with lift and stair access from the new square.
Regretably I am just a simple pleb, but I wanted to remark on this and so many more exciting new architecturally aspirational buildings being developed in London. I am overwhelmed with such incredible excitement at the vision and dynamics these wonderful new sculptures will add to the tradtionally flat skyscape of London, the mix of both new and old justling together will both premote the wonderful history of our great “international” capital as well as showing the world what a very exciting place our city is now and in the future. Fingers crossed politics does not as was the case for terminal five bastardise the artistic flair that architects hope to unveil upon us. Its visions like this that make me hope I live to a ripe old age so I can at very least get the chance to witness such statements creativity.
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