Kingston landmark Tolworth Tower could be getting a modern makeover

By The Editor

26th Jan 2021 | Local News

A CGI of what the new development could look like (Image: Meadow Partners)
A CGI of what the new development could look like (Image: Meadow Partners)

A new application for Kingston's iconic Tolworth Tower site has been submitted to the council, and could see up to 499 new homes built.

Tolworth Tower was designed by legendary architect, Richard Seifert and built in 1964 on the site of a former Odeon cinema. It is considered a brutalist, modernist icon and remains outer London's tallest building with 22 storeys, ascending to 265 feet.

The latest plans sent in by applicants, Meadow Partners, include changing Tolworth Broadway's greatest landmark into 261 apartments and building two new towers on the site.

One of the new towers, T2, would be up to 19 storeys and contain 136 homes.

The slightly smaller tower, T3, would be up to 15 storeys and contain 102 homes.

However, there are currently no affordable homes planned on the site.

The building itself would also be receiving a modern makeover.

According to the application, the existing first-floor car park in the main tower would become a flexible workspace unit.

Part of the existing ground floor undercroft will also become freestanding retail kiosks.

In the space between the two new buildings there will be more commercial space and a public plaza.

The existing M&S, Travelodge and council car park are excluded from the proposals.

The hope is that these changes will create hundreds of jobs, encourage millions of pounds of investment to the local area and rejuvenate Tolworth Broadway at a time where the local highstreet is in decline.

"Meadow is committed to working closely with the council to deliver nearly 500 new homes in Tolworth with a new site-wide proposal bringing the iconic Tolworth Tower back to life and regenerating a 60 year old estate," a spokesperson for the applicant told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, an agreement with the council has not yet been reached, so local Kingston residents will have to wait a while yet before they see any significant changes to their skyline.

Meadow Partners confirmed that they had received a resolution to grant planning permission for the refurbishment and conversion of Tolworth Tower to provide 261 new homes in October 2019, but that a way forward has not yet been found 15 months down the line.

"Meadow has been working with the council to complete a standard legal agreement to enable commencement but unfortunately matters remain unresolved. The outcome is that the proposed Build to Rent homes have not come forward as planned."

Residents are encouraged to give their opinions on the plans on the council's website, HERE

The local Liberal Democrat group are also seeking input HERE

     

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