China has launched a second attempt to gain planning for a super-sized embassy on the site of the Royal Mint in London.
The latest revised plan introduces some small-scale adjustments to the height of new buildings in the 600,000 sq ft embassy complex, which would be located to the north of St Katharine Docks, near the Tower of London.
The latest planning documents submitted to Tower Hamlets Borough Council said the council’s decision to reject the proposals in December 2022 on security grounds and the impact on residents was “without merit” and had “no basis in planning policy”.
The vast project designed by David Chipperfield Architects includes not only a big embassy building but also 225 residences in a long seven storey building and a cultural exchange center.
It involves refurbishing the listed Johnson Smirke and overhauling the existing Seaman’s Registry. The rest of the size will require large-scale demolition of two buildings to make way for new residences.
Among the client profession team contractor BCEGI UK is advising on construction management.
Client team
Existing Dexter and Murray Houses steel frames will be retained to create new long Embassy House residential building clad in precast concrete
Project Manager: Arcadis
Cost Consultant Turner and Townsend
Structure, Civils: Arup
Building Services: Cundall
Facade Engineering: Thornton Tomasetti
Construction managment plan: BCEGI UK
The planning application will initially be handled by Tower Hamlets council, with the national government getting involved if the proposal is rejected again and China appeals.
