MIPIM opens with major announcements

The opening of the 2007 MIPIM built environment conference was the signal for a flood of major new announcements by developers and government agencies.

The Cannes conference was opened last night by architect Daniel Libeskind. Deputy London major Nicky Gavron also gave a keynote address and today the London Development Agency announced a new online database containing all the development opportunities in the London Thames Gateway.

The Thames Gateway database lists the landowner, the site's size and the stage has reached in the planning process.

Among schemes revealed toady were Crest Nicholson's plans for the £500m Woolston Riverside regeneration scheme in Southampton. The 14.5 hectare site is being developed with the South East England Development Agency and will feature 1610 new homes. A new model of the scheme was unveiled, which will be featured on this site tomorrow.

There was also news of a record breaking new skyscraper in Dubai. At 120 storeys the Pentominium will be the world's tallest residential tower. Each residential unit will take up an entire floor and the luxuries on offer in the Trident International Holdings scheme will include a private theatre, sky pool, cigar lounge and a branch of Tiffany the jewellers.

Berkeley Homes has also chosen MIPIM to unveil plans for a 43-storey residential tower in Croydon. The building at Wellesley Square is designed by Rolfe Judd Architects.

Check www.building.co.uk/mipim for more news and views on MIPIM 2007.