History
One Blackfriars is a fifty-two storey residential tower in London, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. Once completed it will reach a maximum height of 165 metres (541ft), and will also include two additional smaller buildings at its base. When plans for the tower were first proposed, it was expected that it would be a sixty-eight storey project, reaching a height of 225 metres. However, the development was scaled down after concerns were raised about its impact on the rest of London. Although the original project that was approved was placed into administration in 2010, by 2013 it was announced that the construction would still go ahead, albeit with a few slight alterations.
The main tower itself is currently still under construction, but it is estimated to be finished in 2018. Once completed, the building will offer approximately 274 private flats, along with a public viewing lounge on the thirty-second floor. The flats will range in choice, from studios to small, medium and large apartments that offer up to four bedrooms. Despite claiming to offer affordable housing, the price of these units range from £1,150,000 - £23,000,000. While their original 2015 sales and marketing video was heavily ridiculed on social media, and subsequently removed, the sellers continue to justify their prices by advertising One Blackfriars as a ‘beacon of architectural brilliance’ designed by award winning architects. What is more, the building also offers luxury facilities and stunning views of London, and these things are said to add to the character of the building. Arguably, though, this circumvents that fact that beneath the façade the building is still simply another concrete monolith.
We all burst out onto the rooftop. Amazing views of London surrounded us. For those of us who are used to the quiet life of Northern England, where we still make do with wooden huts, drink mead from woolly mammoth horns and frequently battle the Scots over territory disputes in Northumbria, it’s always astounding to see how large the City of London actually is. Everything was on view from One Blackfriars: The Tate Modern, Shard and London Eye, all those famous landmarks we only ever really hear about on the wireless, because up north we haven’t got black and white televisions in every household just yet. Not wanting to waste the opportunity to get some snaps, we quickly set up the tripods and cameras and, like an American at a buffet, got stuck in. After grabbing the shots, we spent some time taking in the view with our own eyes as we had a quick victory bevvy and a smoke. It was a pleasant experience. Randomly, we also experienced a little thunder and lightning storm and a spot of rain while we were up there. We weren’t able to take any shots of it unfortunately. After the lightening show we decided to head back down and re-join society. As ever, work beckons.
Explored with Ford Mayhem, Urban Diaries and Fabricated Minds.
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One Blackfriars is a fifty-two storey residential tower in London, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city. Once completed it will reach a maximum height of 165 metres (541ft), and will also include two additional smaller buildings at its base. When plans for the tower were first proposed, it was expected that it would be a sixty-eight storey project, reaching a height of 225 metres. However, the development was scaled down after concerns were raised about its impact on the rest of London. Although the original project that was approved was placed into administration in 2010, by 2013 it was announced that the construction would still go ahead, albeit with a few slight alterations.
The main tower itself is currently still under construction, but it is estimated to be finished in 2018. Once completed, the building will offer approximately 274 private flats, along with a public viewing lounge on the thirty-second floor. The flats will range in choice, from studios to small, medium and large apartments that offer up to four bedrooms. Despite claiming to offer affordable housing, the price of these units range from £1,150,000 - £23,000,000. While their original 2015 sales and marketing video was heavily ridiculed on social media, and subsequently removed, the sellers continue to justify their prices by advertising One Blackfriars as a ‘beacon of architectural brilliance’ designed by award winning architects. What is more, the building also offers luxury facilities and stunning views of London, and these things are said to add to the character of the building. Arguably, though, this circumvents that fact that beneath the façade the building is still simply another concrete monolith.
We all burst out onto the rooftop. Amazing views of London surrounded us. For those of us who are used to the quiet life of Northern England, where we still make do with wooden huts, drink mead from woolly mammoth horns and frequently battle the Scots over territory disputes in Northumbria, it’s always astounding to see how large the City of London actually is. Everything was on view from One Blackfriars: The Tate Modern, Shard and London Eye, all those famous landmarks we only ever really hear about on the wireless, because up north we haven’t got black and white televisions in every household just yet. Not wanting to waste the opportunity to get some snaps, we quickly set up the tripods and cameras and, like an American at a buffet, got stuck in. After grabbing the shots, we spent some time taking in the view with our own eyes as we had a quick victory bevvy and a smoke. It was a pleasant experience. Randomly, we also experienced a little thunder and lightning storm and a spot of rain while we were up there. We weren’t able to take any shots of it unfortunately. After the lightening show we decided to head back down and re-join society. As ever, work beckons.
Explored with Ford Mayhem, Urban Diaries and Fabricated Minds.
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decent selection of pics too mate
