HB Reavis’ plans for 31-storey block and linked groundscraper were approved six years ago
One of London’s largest office schemes could be facing further delays following an application for an 18-month meanwhile use on the building which it is set to replace.
Restaurant operator SE1 Sunset Ltd is looking to build a 700-capacity rooftop bar on the top floor of the 1960s Elizabeth House, a building in Waterloo which would be redeveloped by developer HB Reavis under plans approved nearly six years ago. Among its former tenants was David Chipperfield Architects.
The AHMM-designed proposals for the site would replace the existing 11-storey building with a 31-storey tower and groundscraper stretching for more than 200m along the side of Waterloo station.
The proposed scheme, which was valued at £600m in 2017, would contain 155,000sq m of floorspace, more than 22 Bishopsgate or the proposed 1 Undershaft.
But construction work is yet to start in earnest with only minor enabling works at the site being carried out while the existing vacant office building has not been demolished, amid a disagreement over who should pay for a new lift shaft providing access to the Northern Line.
Last year, Transport for London (TfL) claimed the scheme had been “paused at the request of the developer”, which was denied by HB Reavis.
The plans were given final sign off by Lambeth council in 2021 following the conclusion of a section 106 agreement requiring its developer HB Reavis to contribute £1.8m towards the lift shaft, with the remaining £2.7m to be repaid by TfL.
SE1 Sunset Ltd’s proposed meanwhile use would convert the rooftop and eighth storey of the existing building into a 900sq m bar with capacity for 682 people under plans designed by Zap Architects.
It would include new enclosed seating and pergolas, a new fire escape structure, internal alterations and a fenced compound containing a refuse area.
The application, which has been recommended for approval by Lambeth’s planning officers, has aroused concerns from locals due to its potential to postpone the demolition of a building described by one objector as a “graffiti-prone eyesore”.
A total of 28 objections have been posted, with locals worried about the bar’s proposed 1am closing time and the potential for noise pollution.
One objector claimed the bar would mean “sleep will become impossible, both from the noise of music and from the noise of drunken revellers leaving the premises as late as 2am to 3am”.
HB Reavis said: “We remain fully committed to development at Elizabeth House. We continue to work closely with key stakeholders, including Lambeth Council, Transport for London, London Underground Limited, and Network Rail, to bring this project forward, and are engaging with local stakeholders on the wider Waterloo Station masterplan.
”The planning application made by a potential tenant of Elizabeth House is for a short-term meanwhile use to positively activate the site whilst we mobilise and progress with development plans.”
Lambeth council’s planning committee is set to make a decision on the application for the rooftop bar next Tuesday.
AHMM has been contacted for comment.
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