the tulip: will foster + partners' london skyscraper be built after all?

in november 2018, foster + partners unveiled plans for ‘the tulip’, a 305-meter-tall visitor attraction planned for central london. conceived as a new landmark for the UK capital, the skyscraper was designed with numerous viewing galleries, including gondola pod rides on the building’s façade, as well as a restaurant and an educational component with a ‘classroom in the sky’. however, shortly after the development was approved by local authorities, london mayor sadiq khan scrapped the proposal after identifying ‘a number of serious concerns’ with the application.

all images © DBOX for foster + partners, courtesy of the tulip

although that seemed to be the end of the matter, the tulip’s project team — led by developer jacob j. safra and foster + partners — refused to give up, and earlier this year announced that they would be appealing the mayor’s decision. the planning appeal inquiry, which can be followed here, is now underway, with the final decision to be taken by the secretary of state of housing, communities and local government.

coinciding with the planning appeal, new images of the project have been revealed detailing the public realm surrounding the tower at ground level. as well as a new pocket park, a two-storey pavilion would also be constructed, comprising the principal visitor attraction entrance with retail at ground floor level and a public roof garden. the project team says that over 1,000 new jobs and opportunities would be created as part of the development. follow designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

project info:

name: the tulip
location: london, UK
architect: foster + partners
previous coverage: the tulip