Boris election puts tall buildings at risk

Several high rise schemes in the capital may be scrapped if new London mayor Boris Johnston acts on previous promises to limit development.

Johnson previously pledged to halt work on three schemes: Ian Simpson’s Beetham Tower, Allies & Morrison’s Elizabeth Street development and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands’ Doon Street scheme under his leadership and now Wilkinson Eyre’s two towers at 20 Blackfriars Road have been called in for inquiry, giving the mayor the opportunity to oppose them too. The Greater London Authority could not confirm to Building magazine whether any of them would go ahead

.Meanwhile, a source told Building that Lord Rogers may quit his role as chief design adviser due to expected clashes with Johnson’s chief adviser on planning Sir Simon Milton. Milton is a fierce critic of tall buildings, whose Westminster council previously opposed the Beetham Tower saying it would obstruct historic views.

Not put off work on London high rise schemes, Mace is eyeing the construction contract for the £500m Pinnacle, a 287m tower on Bishopsgate in the City.

While Brookfield, formerly Multiplex, is thought to be in the final stages of submitting a price for the Pinnacle, sources told Construction News that developer Arab Investments may instead consider a construction management deal with Mace, which is already acting as project manager on the job.