Proposal for 31-storey office tower and linked groundscraper look set to be swapped for overhaul of 1960s block
The developer behind a proposal to replace Elizabeth House in London’s Waterloo with a 31-storey tower is now looking at refurbishing the 1960s building instead.
Building understands HB Reavis has begun sounding out project teams about its plans which have emerged after the previous new build proposal, designed by AHMM, has been repeatedly delayed.
The developer is understood to have been talking to local authority Lambeth council about the proposals ahead of a formal planning submission in the next few months.
Building understands HB Reavis is now looking at refurbishing the existing 16-storey block because of concerns over the stalling London office market.
The consented AHMM scheme was valued at £600m in 2017 and would contain around 1.2 million sq ft of office and retail space, significantly more than PLP’s 22 Bishopsgate.
In a statement, HB Reavis said: “We continue to explore all options for development at Elizabeth House and are committed to bringing this project forward in collaboration with key local stakeholders.”
The current AHMM plan would see the 1960s block, designed by John Poulson Architects, torn down and replaced with a 31-storey tower and groundscraper stretching for more than 200m along the side of Waterloo station. It was given planning nearly seven years ago with final sign-off agreed in April 2021.
But the project, which was supposed to be completed last year, has been repeatedly held up.
Two years ago, Transport for London said HB Reavis had “paused” the scheme following a disagreement over a lift shaft while last year, an application for an 18-month meanwhile use was submitted.
AHMM is the third architect to work on the project after David Chipperfield, a former tenant of the building, and before that Allies and Morrison were both appointed and ultimately ditched.
HB Reavis has owned the site since 2017 after the firm bought it from developers London & Regional and Chelsfield for an undisclosed sum.
The Chipperfield proposal was called in by the Conservative government’s then communities secretary Eric Pickles in 2013 before being given the green light by a High Court judge the following year.
AHMM has declined to comment.
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