It was recently announced that the City of London will soon be home to a landmark that is destined to attract lovers of architecture from around the globe: its first-ever Santiago Calatrava design. The project, which is expected to cost roughly $1.25 billion, will include a brand-new Tube and bus station, a theater, a cinema, and a host of commercial and retail outlets. Situated next to the legendary O2 arena, Peninsula Place—named for its location on the Greenwich Peninsula, a 1.4-million-square-foot tract of land that juts into the River Thames—will stand out with three towers rising above existing buildings in the area, thus adding a bit of flair to London's architecturally significant skyline.
"It is an honor to be designing such a piece of the fabric of London, a city I love," said Calatrava in a statement. "In designing this scheme, I have been inspired by London’s rich architectural heritage and the very special geography of the peninsula." The Spanish-Swiss architect's plan is part of London's bigger goal for the site. The government has promised approximately $10 billion to regenerate the area with a proposal that includes new homes, schools, public spaces, and a film and design studio.
The project, to be located on the Greenwich Peninsula, will include ample public green space.
At an event unveiling the project to the public, London mayor Sadiq Khan said, "Now that he [Calatrava] has practiced around the world, he’s ready to design in London. New York and Lisbon and Bilbao—they were rehearsals for the important piece of work he’s about to do for us." There was no immediate word on when construction would begin or how long it would take to complete.
