EXCLUSIVE: The tower block planned for 20 years and still lying empty wins award for UK’s worst building
They say a planner is someone who solves problems you didn’t know existed in ways you don’t understand.
More than 20 years after the planning application process was started, even that puzzling mission is still looking for solutions at the Lewisham Gateway development, with no date yet published for residents to move in.
Its Phase Two buildings, between Lewisham Rail Station and the town centre and approved in 2009, have won the award for being the UK’s joint worst building, according to judges awarding the annual Carbuncle Cup.
It shared the honour with a controversial large warehouse built beside housing at Astley Business Park in Greater Manchester.
The Lewisham development is currently empty after a flood last year fused its electric circuits.
Fire engines on site between Lewisham Rail Station and the town centre in March last year spent hours pumping water out of the building after a pipe burst.
The blocks – named The Filigree – were built by Balfour Beatty for developer Muse.
Muse have been contacted for comment.
The landlords, Get Living, told Channel 4 News: “When The Filigree reopens, it will bring meaningful and lasting benefits to Lewisham, including more than 100 affordable homes and a compelling mix of retail and leisure amenities for the area to enjoy, including a new cinema.”
The newly elected Green Mayor of Lewisham, Liam Shrivastava, said: “What we as a council expect to see from developers and landlords is good quality, well designed and genuinely affordable housing that is built to last, is sustainable and that speaks to its context.”