River Thames: Three new Blackfriars towers change Tate Modern and Oxo Tower skyline

The London skyline south of the River Thames may change forever as plans to build three towers up to 200m tall have been submitted to Southwark Council.

Earmarked for the site at 18 Blackfriars Road, nestled between iconic landmarks including the Tate Modern and the Oxo Tower, the proposals involve the construction of a new plaza and Rotunda delivering new retail, food and other amenities, as well as the towers.

The freeholder of the site, Black Pearl Limited, is listed as the applicant behind the plans. However, Hines, an international real estate firm, controls the fund which wholly owns Black Pearl Limited, and is acting as the development manager and asset manager.

Foster + Partners, the architecture company behind projects including The Gherkin and the German parliament in Berlin, has drawn up and submitted the designs to Southwark Council.

The firm says the scheme will add value by “connecting to the excellent public realm and pedestrian network along the riverfront, maximising the benefits of adjacent sustainable transport networks and restoring and enhancing the on-site listed buildings, 1 and 3-7 Stamford Street”.

The three towers, known as the Office Building, Stamford Building and Paris Building, will collectively deliver a mix of workspace and residential properties.

In total, more than 400 new homes are planned to be built on-site, 40% of which will be affordable, as well as 20,000 sq ft of workspace.

According to documents filed as part of the submission: “The office building will provide a next-generation workplace, with occupant wellbeing and sustainability at the heart of the design.

“The proposal will provide the spaces, services, and activities that make people, and businesses thrive.

“The residential buildings exemplify excellence in design quality and accommodation, providing much needed new homes for London. The units have been designed from the inside-out, ensuring they respond to residents’ present and future needs.”

Historical locations on the site, such as the Mad Hatter Public House and Hotel, will be restored.

Ross Blair, senior managing director and country head of Hines UK, said: “We’ve been working hard with our architects, the local community and other key stakeholders to bring this land, which has been undeveloped for 20 years, back to life.

“Occupiers are demanding more from their spaces to attract and retain the best people, the lines have blurred between workspace, wellness and leisure, and our design truly responds to these needs, offering an inspirational mix of spaces that foster collaboration. In many places around the world, Hines has successfully delivered environments which connect with the local community through a rich arts and wellbeing programme for the benefit of generations to come.

“The significant investment we are planning underlines our firm belief in London, and its enduring appeal as a global centre for business. We believe that our proposals for 18 Blackfriars Road will add significant value to the already established growth story of the Southbank and Bankside neighbourhoods, and as a long-term owner and operator we are deeply invested in the future success of the site and the benefits it will bring to the Southwark community.”

If approved, the Office Building will be just outside of the 10 tallest buildings in London, with the three towers to have a dramatic impact on the south London skyline. The Shard is currently the tallest building in the capital, at 310m.

The submission comes soon after the City of London approved a new 285m glass tower at 55 Bishopsgate, which will be the third-largest skyscraper in the capital.

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