£775m Paddington Cube agreed by Westminster Council
Westminster City Council has given the green light to developer Irvine Sellar’s revised plans for his £775m Paddington Quarter scheme in West London.
Great Western Developments and development partner Sellar Paddington are aiming to build the distinctive ‘cube’ building at the former Royal Mail sorting and post office site adjacent to Paddington Station.
Designed by Renzo Piano, the 360,000 sq ft Paddington Cube will headline the scheme and sit on a three storey podium 12m above 1.35 acres of newly created public realm.
Speaking at the council meeting where approval was granted last night, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader Cllr Robert Davis said the plans are “a game-changer, breathing fresh life into the area.”
“I think it’s a very clever design the way it sits there and the way it’s transparent. It’s like a pure ice cube and something I think is going to add to the area,” he added. “This area is probably not our proudest part of Westminster.”
“It is the gateway for many people to Westminster and London. Many people travelling from West Country, abroad to Heathrow via the Heathrow express and in due course coming in via Crossrail. It is quite disgraceful, it is not for working, it looks tatty, it doesn’t work in terms of pedestrian movement, it’s not a very comfortable place to go and visit.
“The enhancement to the public realm is so substantial and important that not only will it be a game changer to this whole area and lead to further investment and improvements but also provide benefits to commuters on their daily commute.”
The development will also accommodate more than 4,000 new jobs for Paddington and include 80,000 sq ft of retail and restaurant space over five levels, including a rooftop restaurant.
TfL, Network Rail and London Underground also backed the scheme, which includes a new Bakerloo line underground station and ticket hall, but Piano’s initial plans for a 72-storey pole filled with luxury apartments were blocked by the council.
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