Southwark Tube architect backs listing appeal

The original project architect of Southwark Tube station has backed the Twentieth Century Society’s attempt to overturn Historic England’s decision not to list it.

Ian Logan said the 1999 station deserved to be protected, “if only to make any changes more accountable”.

The C20 Society revealed this week that it is appealing against government heritage adviser HE’s decision not to list the station.

Transport for London and developer U+I are said to be drawing up plans with AHMM for a 30-storey tower on the site. The station was originally designed to bear the load of future development but only up to about 11 storeys.

Richard MacCormac’s practice, MJP, designed two proposals, one flats and one a hotel (see accompanying images), but consent has since lapsed.

Logan, who worked for MJP from 1982-1999 and then founded Studiodare, has offered to come out of semi-retirement to help AHMM design a suitable over-station development.

In an open letter to Building’s sister title BD, he said some of his former colleagues now worked for AHMM.

“I am not against development and change if necessary, and if the station does indeed absolutely need a bigger ticket hall, this should be looked at sympathetically and creatively,” he said.

He added: “I have purposely not commented on the AHMM scheme as I have only seen one image but that area around Blackfriars Road now seems fair game for overly large commercial developments.”

Last month, planners in Southwark gave the green light to a 53-storey tower in an emerging cluster on London’s South Bank.

Designed by Stirling Prize-winning architect Wilkinson Eyre, the scheme at 18 Blackfriars Road will be the centrepiece of a six building scheme with the block containing 227 flats above retail. A 34-storey office block by Brisac Gonzalez with a ground-floor music venue is also planned.

There will also be 19- and 12-storey hotel buildings arranged around a public space and a 15-storey “affordable” housing block with 61 flats. The scheme is being developed by Black Pearl Limited, a subsidiary of IGB Corporation Berhad which is a Malaysian property development company.

Wilkinson Eyre’s tower will be taller than the 50-storey One Blackfriars Multiplex is building at the southern end of Blackfriars Bridge which has been designed by architect Ian Simpson’s firm SimpsonHaugh.

Across the road from that scheme McGee has started work to tear the mid-rise Ludgate House which is set to be replaced with a 49-storey tower designed by PLP. And Kier is on site with a 13-storey scheme to build a hotel at 40 Blackfriars Road that will be operated by hip hotel group Hoxton.