Camden

Architects’ Journal reports that Antony Gormley, who is renowned for his large scale sculptures including The Angel of the North, has criticised the Coal Drops Yard proposals at King’s Cross, claiming that the structure would ‘compromise’ the open space within the central yard, near where the development meets Regent’s Canal.

City of London

Building Magazine reports that Sheppard Robson has been granted permission to retrofit 60 Queen Victoria Street by the City of London Corporation. The architect, design, and planning collective aims to modernise the 180,000 sqft office building by improving environmental performance and enhancing the wellbeing of the user by introducing “people-led” spaces.

BE News reports that LaSalle Investment Management has acquired a 291-bed hotel located in the City of London from abrdn for £56m. LaSalle purchased the hotel on behalf of a UK custom account client. The modern hotel is situated on the Minories at Tower Hill and the building achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating on completion of its construction in 2014.

BE News reports that Quadrant and a private Singapore-based family office have acquired 6 Gracechurch Street in the City of London from USS for an undisclosed price. The acquisition is the first deal to be completed by Quadrant and the family office, which are looking to amass and asset manage a portfolio of high-quality offices in Central London. The building has a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ and is fully let to tenants including BT, Gaws of London and Partner Reinsurance. 

Building Magazine reports that Aviva is planning to nearly double both the height and floorspace of its proposed tower at 130 Fenchurch Street. The scheme could be up to 32 storeys in height under plans being drawn up by Wilkinson Eyre.

City of Westminster

Dylan Jones writes for the Evening Standard on the growing popularity of Queensway among celebrities, referencing the UK’s first Six Senses luxury hotel at The Whiteley.

BE News reports that Singaporean investment manager HE Capital London has acquired 147-155 Wardour Street in Soho from Hong Kong investor Lai Wing-To for circa £35m. The deal, which reflects a net initial yield of close to 6%, is the first acquisition for HE Capital’s circa £200m new London-focused fund.

Property Week reports that Criterion has secured a loan for its plans a Trafalgar Square office-to-hotel conversion, creating a new location for its Zedwell hotel brand.

Tower Hamlets

The Construction Index reports that the application for the redevelopment of Westferry Printworks was approved by committee. The proposals will include 1358 homes and a 1200 pupil capacity secondary school alongside other community spaces. Two previous planning applications for the scheme were previously refused by Tower Hamlets council.