With its truncated concrete core standing idle for several years, one of London’s tallest buildings is set to be completed following the acquisition of the project, formerly known as the Pinnacle, in a deal announced on Feb. 20.
Originally due for completion some three years ago as the U.K.'s tallest building, the stalled 62-floor Pinnacle project at 22 Bishopsgate has been acquired by a consortium of investors led by AXA Real Estate, Paris, working with locally based Lipton Rogers Developments as developer.
Structural and other engineering services on the project are being handled by the local office of WSP Group, which had a similar role on the Shard—the city’s current tallest building. Arup Group, London, was the defunct Pinnacle’s structural designer.
The new building’s architect is PLP Architecture, London, which is led by Lee Polisano. Polisano developed the original Pinnacle design while at the London office of Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, which he headed till late 2009.
AXA says its team will apply for a planning permission in “the next few months,” aiming to start a three-year construction schedule by year’s end. Details of the project have not yet been revealed.
However, the existing, roughly 20-meter-tall core will be demolished, says WSP Director Kamran Moazami. As many of the existing huge piles as possible will be retained, he adds.
Some five years ago, subcontractor Bachy Soletanche Ltd., Burscough, installed more than 50 base-grouted piles, which are up to 65 m long and 2.4 m dia.
Australian-based main contractor Brookfield Multiplex Group completed the first few floors of the core before the lead investor, Arab Investments, pulled the plug on the project, reportedly for financial reasons.
