Elizabeth House development (aka 'Three Sisters'), York Road

Some bigger renderings here -

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14055692&postcount=60

These really are the most boring skyscrapers ever. A site like this ought to have something iconic, world class... not these dull boxes.

Not knock out I agree, but if you look at what they do at ground level as opposed to a quarter of a mile away they are much better. But then anything would be better than the current garbage strewn dump, looks like Harare

I think that what comes out of this lengthy process is just moronic design. Can you imagine the converstaion.." well. they say we've designed two dumb buildings so we'll tart one up by canting it." The result is a provincial and sickeningly naff result.
Having said that, if we can't have an original iconic design which the site is crying out for, then two dull boxes at least might become invisible after a time, and show up the good buildings around it.
Not a very useful comment I know, but that canting is truly dreadful.

Why do they have to be so HIGH? I'm so sick of all these views disappearing.

^ These aren't particularly high, in fact they were substantially reduced in height to appease the likes of English Heritage, etc. What matters here is the design and massing - which looks like a boring and incredibly monotonous wall of glass and steel, too bulky and lacking any flair or imagination.

They rather ruin the view of the Royal Festival Hall

Lambeth consultation document:
http://www.london-se1.co.uk/docs/ElizabethHouse.pdf

Plans on display in Elizabeth House reception till 24 August.

A Lambeth public consultation on a major planning application - in the middle of the summer holidays.

How encouraging it is to see the Borough's new administration's commitment to publc engagement in the planning process ;-)

I hope they don't get built, they look really clumsy.

Well, I've emailed the council...

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Dear Sir or Madam

I am writing in regard to the proposed Elizabeth House redevelopment, adjacent to Waterloo Station (Ref: 07/02628/FUL).

Having seen the plans, I'm rather disappointed by the quality of the designs. For such a prominent site, I believe something world class is needed. The towers being proposed here are bland; their massing is too bulky and they lack a sense of grace and style. To be frank, they appear to be just another group of dull glass boxes.

There needs to be greater variation in height and scale between each of the 3 buildings. At the moment they are too similar to each other, and to the nearby Upstream Building (also known as the Shell Tower). This has the danger of creating a "wall" effect on the skyline. The tallest is currently 117m - I believe this should be allowed to reach higher, perhaps up to 150m. Taking distance and perspective into account, the Houses of Parliament would surely remain unharmed by this height increase.

In summary, I would urge you to push for something higher quality, more imaginative and more fitting for this prominent site.

Kind regards

Will Fox

(former SE1 resident)