One Blackfriars

One Blackfriars
Artist's impression
General information
Status	Under construction
Location	London, SE1 United Kingdom
Construction started	2013
Estimated completion	2017
Client	St. George South London Limited
Height
Roof	163 m (535 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	52
Floor area	74,925 sq m including 274 flats
Design and construction
Architect	SimpsonHaugh and Partners
Structural engineer	WSP Group
Services engineer	Hoare Lea
Other designers	Tara Bernerd & Partners (interior designers) Byrne Bros Ltd (PT slabs)
Website
oneblackfriars.co.uk

Tara Bernerd & Partners (interior designers)

One Blackfriars is a mixed-use development under construction at No. 1 Blackfriars Road in Bankside, London. It is informally known as The Vase due its shape.

The development is made up of a 52-storey tower of a maximum height of 170 m and two smaller buildings of six and four storeys respectively. Uses include residential flats, a hotel and retail. In addition, a new public space will be created. The site was formerly occupied by the headquarters of Sainsbury's supermarket.

Initially promoted by the Beetham Organisation, the tower was originally proposed at 225 metres (738 ft), with 68 storeys, but was eventually scaled down after concerns about its impact on the rest of London. A revised planning application for a 163 metres (535 ft), 49-storey tower was submitted on 30 October 2006. Although 57 m shorter than before, this would still make it one of the tallest buildings in the city, similar in height to the Gherkin and Tower 42 in the City of London.

A public observation gallery was to have been situated on the upper two floors, offering panoramic views across the capital. The original plan would have featured a 5-star hotel and luxury apartments, each with their own internal conservatory space. However, a number of affordable homes were also be included as part of the scheme in a separate building on Rennie Street.

Despite a number of objections - from English Heritage, Royal Parks, Lambeth Council, Westminster City Council, local residents and ward councillors − the tower was given initial planning permission by Southwark Council on 24 July 2007. The Mayor of London was in favour, and Lambeth Council wanted £180,615 of Section 106 money in compensation. The Dubai-based Jumeirah hotel chain signed up as anchor tenants. In March 2008, the tower was called in for a Public Inquiry by Secretary of State Hazel Blears. After the inquiry, Blears announced that she endorsed the recommendation of planning inspector John Gray that both schemes should be granted planning permission.