Developer ditches architect in favour of unnamed firm after public inquiry leads to planning approval

Architect Wilkinson Eyre's involvement on a pair of towers in Blackfriars has come to an end, the company has announced.

The architect said that Circleplane, the developer behind the consented towers at 20 Blackfriars, is reviewing its brief and has appointed other architects.

Attempts by Building to contact Circleplane, understood to be backed by Israeli developer Gil Levy, have proved fruitless. The scheme at 20 Blackfriars is the only one on which the company has been involved up until this point.

Circleplane bought the site from Land Securities in 2007 for £90m. Having received planning permission, the towers were subject to a joint public inquiry with 1 Blackfriars, the Beetham-led hotel development designed by Ian Simpson. The inquiry was resolved in favour of the developers earlier this year.

A statement from Wilkinson Eyre said: “Following the successful outcome of the public inquiry, Wilkinson Eyre Architects confirm that they are no longer working on the consented proposals for 20 Blackfriars Road. Owing to the changing markets, Circleplane Ltd is reviewing the brief for the development and has appointed other architects.”

The identity of Wilkinson Eyre's replacement is unknown.

Topics