Ground has been broken on what will be the tallest residential tower in Western Europe and, indeed, one of the tallest buildings in the UK. Once complete, Spire London will rise flower-like up to 235 m (771 ft). Occupants will have access to a concierge service, roof-top gardens, a spa, a bar and a cinema.
The site is located in the Docklands area of London, adjacent to Canary Wharf and facing out onto the River Thames. Designed by HOK Architects, with interiors by Argent Design, Spire London's architecture is said to be inspired by the area's nautical history and by the orchid flower, developed as it is by Chinese firm Greenland Group. Indeed, it will actually be comprised of three outwardly protruding adjoined towers, or "petals."
In total, 861 apartments will be spread across 67 floors. They will be a mix of suites, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as three-bedroom duplex penthouses. The standard, albeit luxury, apartments will feature large living areas, bespoke kitchens and "boutique" bathrooms, while the premier and penthouse apartments boast kitchens with breakfast bars, high ceilings and walk-in dressing rooms.
The premier and penthouse apartments will also have outside terraces, made possible by the angled roofs of the three towers. At night, the roofs will be topped by feature lighting, aimed at reinforcing the building's silhouette.
Access to the apartments will be via a lobby that has been designed to recall the quality and appearance of a boutique hotel. Among its features will be a a 6-m (19.7-ft) high ceiling and a reception desk shaped, thematically, like the petal of an orchid. Spire London also promises the "best lift provision of any new residential tower in London," with nine passenger lifts to the apartment floors and waiting time limited to 35 seconds.
Among the other features available to occupants will be an aquatics area with an infinity pool, lounge areas and a jacuzzi, a gymnasium and a fitness studio. Away from the health and wellness side of things, there will be a club room with a cocktail bar, plus a cinema room, a game room and meeting rooms. Outside, there'll be a paved piazza, entrance driveways, birch trees, sculptural benches and a fountain.
Construction of the tower is expected to reach the halfway point in 2018, and completion is scheduled for 2020.
Source: Spire London