Standing tall in London

Greenland Group, one of China’s largest premium residential developers, is set to officially launch Spire London, designed by the architectural firm HOK in London Docklands.

The building is a 235-metre, 67-storey tower, planned to become the tallest residential development in the UK and Western Europe, with concierge, retailing, residents’ gardens and five-star lifestyle amenities, including a 35th-floor spa and club bar.

Located on Hertsmere Road, adjacent to Canary Wharf and directly fronting onto the water of West India Quay, the tower will provide 861 apartments, of which 765 will be for private sale. The private sale apartments include luxurious sites, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, and three-bedroom duplex penthouses.

The tower has been designed to provide uninterrupted panoramic views over the whole of London, capturing the Thames, Canary Wharf, the City of London, and numerous famous and historic landmarks.

Site work on the project has already begun. Above-ground demolition on the site has commenced, and piling for the tower will begin in January 2017. It is scheduled to be completed by 2020. The striking and unique architecture of the development is inspired by the nautical history of the site and by the orchid, a flower cultivated in China for more than 3,000 years.

Three petals form the spire, creating faceted glass facades and nautical style ‘prow’ and ‘bow’ contours. The angled roof of the tower allows for outside terraces in the premier and penthouse apartments, while louvres provide natural ventilation throughout the building. The dynamic facades and flowing interiors provide a refreshing and appealing contrast to the traditional tower and low-rise architecture of many buildings in the area.