Proposal to Extend Height of London Landmark

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Architects are proposing to add 11 stories to one of London's landmark buildings, in a procedure billed as the first of its kind. 

Plans by KPF and engineer Adams Kara Taylor (AKT II) will extend Richard Seifert's 1972 King's Reach Tower on the South Bank by more than a third if approved. 

"It's incredibly complicated but actually the biggest challenge was people's attitudes," Albert Taylor, founding director at AKT II told BD Online. "Why shouldn't a building that's part of London's heritage last another 80 years when all you need is to pump it with steroids?"

Owners have extended the height of buildings in the past, but this is believed to be the first in London to this extent.

"This has never been done before," Mr. Taylor said. 

KPF and the developer, CIT, admit they want to compete with the new towers that will soon go up around the London landmark. However, they feel the plan is part of Seifert's original vision of an ambitious and elegant tower. 

"The whole thing is driven by value but if spending the money on strengthening works is worth it then I imagine a lot more people will start asking the question: is it possible?" Bob Lang, a structural engineer at Arup, told the magazine.

King's Reach Tower, which is now known as South Bank Tower, was completed in 1978 and is considered one of London's most visible examples of Brutalist architecture. 

The tower is approved for an additional six stories but Mr. Taylor believes it is strong enough for more. The building would rise to 155 meters, if approved by the Southwark Council next Tuesday, BD reports.

Jadwa Investment, a firm partially owned by the royal family of Saudi Arabia, and CIT purchased the building in 2010 for £60 million ($90.6 million). Last year they announced that they had raised £250 million from Middle East investors to redevelop the property, including luxury apartments on the upper floors.