Columbus Tower still on the horizon?
West India Quay's distinctive Columbus Tower project may yet become part of the Wharf skyline.
Planning permission for the 63-storey skyscraper next to the Museum of London Docklands is due to run out in 2010. But its developer is considering applying for an extension which will give it more time to develop the scheme.
Columbus Tower would feature 192 hotel rooms, 74 luxury suites, 30,085 square metres of office space and 2,246 square metres of bars, restaurants and retail just a stone's throw from the dock.
The 225-metre-high development was initially devised by developer SKMC and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi's Royal Family, His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa, back in 2003. It was hailed by skyscraper enthusiasts as a break from the traditionally blocky high-rises on the estate.
It would replace Hertsmere House, which is situated opposite Wetherspoons' Ledger Building pub. But the land was sold to Commercial Estates Group soon after the council green-lit the tower in 2005, and CEG announced it would be "reviewing" whether to proceed with the project.
Now it is looking into ways to extend the planning consent beyond the expiry date in spring 2010. It has asked Tower Hamlets Council for a scoping opinion, which outlines what developers should bear in mind when preparing an application.
In these tumultuous times for property development, CEG has not set any definitive schedule for the construction or completion of the project, which was costed at £260million back in 2005. But no action is expected until after 2013, when Hertsmere House tenants such as Barclays come to the end of their leases.
CEG is also coming to an agreement with the developer of Crossrail, the £16billion London link which will pass directly underneath the site. Work on the rail tunnels is expected to begin in 2010, and CEG is keen to see that this will not affect its ability to develop above ground. The Isle of Dogs Crossrail station in West India Dock should open in 2017.
The developer is also keen to work with previous objectors to the scheme in 2005, including London City Airport. LCA initially opposed the scheme as it believed it encroached on its flight path by 100 metres, but withdrew its objection in 2004 after consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority.
A spokesman for Commercial Estates Group said: "All that has been submitted is a scoping report.
"We will decide any future action on the basis of the scoping report, which is still being considered."
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City Airport objects to everything from Crossrail (as its construction will cause noise and dust...) to a skyscraper so they can turn their business into a busy leisure airport at the expense of East London residents.
Here we go again - City Airport objecting to everything in East London and the City. We need the investment now more than we need the airport!! They have even objected to the Leaside Bird Sanctuary. Unbeliveable. Hopefully SKMC will buy the airport and shut it down!
You can move a flight path much easier than moving a business district...!!! LCA would be nothing without canary wharf there. If it wasnt for LCA we may have some global world reconised skyscrapers... canary wharf is nice, but not a wow! - So my American collegues tell me anyways. LETS BUILD TALLER!?