The 18-storey Albert Bridge House, the former tax office on Bridge Street, is set to be demolished to make way for a brand-new 45-storey skyscraper featuring 367 homes and a rather oddly shaped 350,000 sq ft office block.
The 1950s brutalist tower was sold to regeneration specialists Oval Real Estate for £30m back in 2021, and they have this week unveiled their plans for what they are doing with the site. This comes after consultations on re-purposing the old building which they decided has reached “the end of its logical lifespan”.
In its place then is a development designed by architect Studio Egret West, who have created a 45-storey residential tower and adjoining office block, plus more than an acre of outdoor space, and retail and commercial spaces on the ground floors.
The office block is certainly unique in its design, judging from these initial sketches it resembles something out of a badly played game of Tetris, or indeed that old game Q-Bert where you’d jump from block to block avoiding snakes. Or simply like Giant’s Causeway. But don’t take that as a diss – I really like the design.
The 19-storey structure will feature loads of outdoor spaces, plus a flexible floorplan geared towards accommodating both small businesses and more established larger firms.
The neighbouring 45-storey residential tower will offer 367 one, two and three-bedroom apartments with three communal sky garden terraces on upper floors offering panoramic views of the city.
As is always the case nowadays, both buildings will be as sustainable as possible, with the office block aiming for net zero using natural ventilation, solar panels and air source heat pumping.
For more information on the project, head on over to the consultation website…
