Chelsea Barracks plans withdrawn
Plans for the transformation of the 12.8-acre (5.2-hectare) Chelsea Barracks site in Westminster, London, have been withdrawn by the company behind the scheme, Project Blue (Guernsey) Limited (PBGL).
PBGL, which is fully owned by investment company Qatari Diar, has revealed that it will now conduct a "comprehensive review" of the proposals after designs drawn up by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners were criticised by the Prince of Wales. The residential-led project was set to include a 172,255sq ft (16,003sq m), 108-bedroom boutique hotel with two restaurants and a health spa, a 79,502sq ft (7,386sq m) sports centre with 25m swimming pool and a landscaped public park.
However, a new design competition is expected to be launched after PBGL, which acquired the site from the Ministry of Defence in January 2008 for £959m, revealed that it is already in discussions with The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment over the future development of the site. Other stakeholders, including English Heritage, Greater London Authority and the Belgravia Residents Association are also set to be consulted before a new planning application is submitted by the end of the year.
A PBGL spokesperson said: "We will continue our extensive consultation process with all our stakeholders, where our focus will be on building a consensus for one of the most important sites in London. "We acknowledge however that there are differing views from various other quarters; we are very grateful to Westminster for the time and effort spent on the process to date and look forward to working very closely with them in the coming months."
However, Lord Rogers - who was behind the designs for the scheme - criticised the intervention of the Prince, while the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has also expressed disappointment at PBGL's decision. RIBA president Sunand Prasad said: "I am all for the Prince of Wales setting out his principles as regards sustainability and an architecture that connects with nature, but for him to intervene in individual schemes going through the planning process is quite wrong.
"However, I do not see this as defeat for modern architecture; more a case of prince speaking unto prince."


Architizer celebrates best of spa and wellness architecture at 11th Annual A+Awards

“We finally have a space worthy of our collection”: V&A launches huge new Photography Centre

Immersive storytelling museum takes pride of place at revamped Tiffany & Co. in NYC following redesign led by Peter Marino and OMA

Elegant Dior spa inspired by nature opens at Hôtel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes

Bjarke Ingels among finalists chosen in design competition for National Museum of the United States Navy

De Matos Ryan and AOC Architecture prepare to open Young V&A London

ACPV Architects Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel creates new Bulgari Tokyo

Manchester City submits £300m Populous-designed plans to redevelop Etihad Stadium and add 400-bedroom hotel

Woods Bagot completes $120m refurb of Continental Sorrento with subterranean bathhouse and spa

New Dior spa carriage opens aboard Belmond’s luxury Royal Scotsman train

Bjarke Ingels creates meandering eco distillery attraction for Blue Run Kentucky

bbspa_Group to realise urban destination spa inside Sardinian football stadium

Thinkwell to deliver the world's first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia

Jayasom partners with Amaala to unveil multigenerational health resort in Saudi Arabia

OMA's Ellen van Loon is the visionary behind new cultural centre for Manchester

James Corner Field Operations creates Highline for London

Esbjerg’s landmark maritime center, designed by WERK Arkitekter and Snøhetta, opens to the public

SEVEN to open world’s first indoor Discovery Adventures centres in Saudi Arabia

Fun and fear drive new Universal attraction concepts for Texas and Las Vegas

Voelker Gray Design creates 10-acre hot springs wellness haven for Atlanta

AIDarchitecten create healing spa for Antwerp's Botanic Sanctuary

Hollaway Studio's Seahive would bring blue health to South-East England

SEVEN to invest US$13bn in developing entertainment destinations across Saudi Arabia

World Spa’s expansive 50,000sq ft urban bathhouse and wellness club opens in Brooklyn

Floating Salmon Eye visitor attraction by Kvorning Design highlights sustainable aquaculture

White Arkitekter's Wood Hotel in Skellefteå Swedish Lapland is climate positive and made from local timber

Nohlab's 'Everything' installation among Noor Riyadh festival highlights

Bob Iger's return to Disney sparks major restructuring focused on creativity and storytelling

Therme Group plans US$200m urban wellbeing resort in South Korea
