Chelsea Apartments, London : Design opposed by Prince of Wales
e-architect
Architecture News
World Buildings
Chelsea Barracks Architects Shortlist Update, alphabetical:
24 Sep 2009
- Alan Baxter & Associates + Paul Davis and Partners + Liam O’Connor Architects, Heatherwick Studio + Todd Longstaffe-Gowan
- Dixon Jones Limited + Glenn Howells Architects
- Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company + KPF London + Paul Murrain + ZEDfactory + Merrill Pastor Colgan Architects + Gillespies Landscape Architects
- Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios + AHMM + Macreanor Lavington Architects + Alison Brooks Architects + Grant Associates
- Hamiltons Architects + Think Place + Patel Taylor
- Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands + Haworth Tompkins Architects + Churchman Landscape Architects
- Porphyrios Associates + Allies and Morrison + Townshend Landscape Architects
- Robert Adam Architects + Ash Sakula Architects + LDADesign
- Squire and Partners + Kim Wilkie Associates
- Terry Farrell and Partners + Panter Hudspith + Peter Barber Architects + Chris Dyson Architects
Chelsea Barracks, Chelsea, south west London
2007-
Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Chelsea Barracks Architects Shortlist
12 Aug 2009
Alan Baxter & Associates + Paul Davis and Partners
Dixon.Jones
Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company + others
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Hamiltons Architects + Think Place + Patel Taylor
Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands + others
Porphyrios Associates + Allies and Morrison
Robert A.M. Stern Architects + others
Squire and Partners + Kim Wilkie Associates
Terry Farrell & Partners
Chelsea Barracks Shortlist to be reduced to three architects in Nov 2009
Chelsea Barracks Development - Architects Boycott
18 Jun 2009
Architects are being urged to boycott the Chelsea Barracks project following Prince Charles's intervention in the design. Developer Qatari Diar is due to ask architects if they wish to submit alternatives to Richard Rogers' designs.
Labour MP Ken Purchase has tabled a Commons Early Day Motion calling on the Royal Institute of British Architects to implement a Chelsea Barracks boycott.
RIBA President Sunand Prasad said "I would not enter a competition to replace an architect in these circumstances." Former RIBA President, Jack Pringle, said the Prince of Wales' "tendency to interfere in a powerful and undemocratic way....is an abuse of his position."
View from Ebury Bridge Road
image : Hayes Davidson/Candy & Candy
Chelsea Barracks - Lord Rogers Calls for National Inquiry
16 Jun 2009
Lord Rogers, 75, a Labour peer, has now called for a national inquiry into Prince Charles' 'unconstitutional' behaviour.
'The prince always goes round the back to wield his influence, using phone calls or in the case of the Chelsea Barracks a private letter,' he told the Guardian.
'I absolutely don't think this is acceptable. It is directly self-serving and unconstitutional. It is an abuse of power because he is not willing to debate. He has made his representations two and a half years late and anyone but him would have been shown the door.'
The Daily Mail reports Richard Rogers questioned the Prince Charles' motives in recommending an alternative Chelsea Barracks design to Qatari Diar designed by his own charity The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment. 'Bringing in the Foundation, his own boys if you like, is unbelievably questionable', he added.
Richard Rogers said the Chelsea Barracks development could have been 'one of the best schemes my office has ever produced'. Richard Rogers said the rejection by Qatari Diar of his Chelsea Barracks design 'knocked the stuffing out of me and the design team even more. We had hoped Prince Charles had retreated from his position on modern architecture, but he single-handedly destroyed this project.'
BBC Radio Today programme Interview with Richard Rogers - Report in full:
The architect Lord Rogers has said he believes Prince Charles has broken the "constitutional understanding" governing the role of the monarchy. Richard Rogers told the BBC there could be "a dangerous political clash" unless the power of the royals is re-examined.
"I think there's a dangerous precedent that the Prince has entered into, which is very much about how he sees style," he said. "And the Prince is not willing to debate. If the Prince does not debate there must be a question over why he can participate in political situations.
"I think that anyone who uses his power due to birth [like this] breaks a constitutional understanding - it's not a law, it's a constitutional understanding - and a trust we have within our society about the role of people who have received power in that manner."
Lord Rogers said a committee of constitutional experts should be set up to examine "the powers of the Prince and his ability to change the political direction".
"If we are to avoid a dangerous political clash then we need someone to solve the problem at a level which is not about this site, but at the level of royalty and their say in political matters," Richard Rogers said.
Lord Rogers said he doubted the Chelsea Barracks site would be developed for many years. He also warned that other foreign companies could be put off investing in the UK for fear the prince would take a dislike to their building schemes.
Image of design by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners ; alternative by Quinlan Terry
image on left : Hayes Davidson/Candy & Candy
Chelsea Barracks : news reports in full from Jun 2009
Chelsea Barracks Proposals Dropped - News Update
12 Jun 2009
The Chelsea Barracks design by Richard Rogers has been abandoned in a shock development by The Qatari royal family.
Furthermore, the nemesis of Richard Rogers is to step into the breach: the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment is to work on this massive project in the heart of London's exclusive West End using a range of architectural styles.
The Chelsea Barracks designs by Richard Rogers were to be considered by the planners next week, with support from Westminster council officers and CABE. The Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners planning application is now withdrawn.
Prince Charles had written privately re the proposals to the Qatari prime minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani, asking him to cancel the "unsympathetic" and "unsuitable" Chelsea Barracks design by Richard Rogers. Apparently the Qatari royal family had become concerned at both the amount of opposition to the Chelsea Barracks development and the kind of opponents involved, ie key figures in British society.
Richard Rogers, quoted in The Guardian, said "After two-and-a-half years of extensive consultation with the local community and statutory consultees, and the publication of an exceptionally complimentary report yesterday on the Chelsea Barracks application from planning officers at Westminster city council, it is extremely disappointing that this application has been withdrawn in response to Prince Charles's views less than a week before the council was due to consider it."
Richard Rogers
Site photos on 27+ 28 Jun 2009:
Chelsea Barracks as was, from Chelsea Bridge Road
photos © Nick Weall
Pimlico Rd and Chelsea Bridge Rd corner ; Pimlico Road aspect of boundary
photo © Nick Weall
From Ebury Bridge Road the two remaining blocks awaiting demolition
photo © Nick Weall
Chelsea Barracks Development - Building Information
Apartments : 548
Affordable Housing: approx. 50%
Approx. Cost: £1bn
Key Supporters: CABE, Paul Finch, Peter Ahrends, Piers Gough
Key Opponents: Deputy Mayor of London, Chelsea Barracks Action Group
Prince Charles lecture at RIBA - 12 May 2009
Chelsea Barracks Controversy - News Update
1 May 2009
Paul Finch, chairman of the 2012 Olympics design panel and former Architecture Review editor, accused Prince Charles of having "lurched creaking from his cultural graveyard" to launch an attack on the "old enemy - modern architecture".
He said Prince Charles acted like a "zombie in a cheap horror film" and needed to remember the British monarchy has "ruled by invitation" since 1688.
Paul Finch is director of the World Architecture Festival and the former deputy chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
Letter to Prince Charles re Chelsea Barracks
20 Apr 2009
Public letter to Prince Charles from list of famous architects and key figures involved in architecture: Chelsea Barracks Letter
Prince Charles Intervention - News Update
7 Apr 2009
RIBA president Sunand Prasad calls on the Prince of Wales to stop any further intervention re the development:
'The design for the Chelsea Barracks site by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners has been proceeding through the planning system with revisions following extensive consultation and comments and through duly constituted design review. Any intervention that compromises the democratic process has the potential to diminish the ability of the clients, the designers, local community and local authorities to arrive at fully considered solutions without undue influence. I appeal to HRH The Prince of Wales to allow the properly constituted and conducted planning process to take place unhindered.'
The Prince of Wales wrote to developer Qatari Diar to reconsider Rogers’ proposals. Prince Charles is advocating a more classical design by architect Quinlan Terry.
Chelsea Barracks News
Project Blue (Guernsey) Ltd - Successful purchaser of Chelsea Barracks
Press Release : Apr 2007
Aerial view of the existing Chelsea Barracks site
Project Blue (Guernsey) Ltd has recently become the successful purchaser of Chelsea Barracks, a 13 acre site in Chelsea, London, securing one of the largest and most prestigious development opportunities ever to come on to the market in Europe.
Project Blue (Guernsey) Ltd is being led by Qatari Diar with investment from CPC Group Limited, the Guernsey based investment vehicle of Christian Candy. The deal followed an international marketing campaign, led by Driver Jonas, which attracted world-wide interest. The price will remain commercial in confidence until completion.
Chelsea Barracks was formerly the home of the Queen’s Guard, providing administrative offices and armouries as well as residential quarters for approximately 1,300 people. The site forms a triangle located between Chelsea Bridge Road, Pimlico Road and Ebury Bridge Road, lying within the City of Westminster, abutting the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and offering the potential to create approximately 1.5 million sq ft of net floor area.
Award winning architectural practice Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners (formerly Richard Rogers Partnership) has been commissioned to create a landmark, mixed-use development at Chelsea Barracks which harmonizes with its setting, overlooking the grounds of the Royal Hospital and Ranelagh Gardens.
Project Blue (Guernsey) Ltd’s proposed scheme will transform the current concrete Chelsea Barracks parade ground and army buildings into a sustainable mix of luxury apartments and affordable units in a verdant setting close to the Thames, surrounded by new semi-private woodland and parkland areas. The Chelsea Barracks development will have a low carbon footprint and an environmental impact significantly lower than the Chelsea Barracks it is replacing.
Qatari Diar has a reputation for creating some of the most desirable residential development projects in Qatar, Egypt, Morocco and Sudan. Chief Executive of Qatar Diar, Nasser Al-Ansari says: “We are delighted to lead the consortium which has purchased this site. This project is very important to us as it represents our first major investment in Europe. We look forward to working with Rogers, Stirk, Harbour to create a landmark building of international repute. In line with our commitment to ethical development, the development will create a living, working and social environment that enhances the health and wellbeing of all.”
The proposed Chelsea Barracks development seeks to be an exemplar of sustainable development and aims to include a number of community facilities. The development’s long-term climate change impact will be limited through the use of a combined cooling, head and power system and the energy efficiency of the development will be optimal.
Qatari Diar has gathered together the finest professional team for the project, drawing on a range of international organisations and experts who are leaders in their field. Award winning interior design company, Candy & Candy has been appointed development managers and will be leading the interior design for this exceptional project.
Chelsea Barracks Architect : Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners
Other Chelsea Barracks Designers:
Buildings : Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, architects
Landscape design : Heatherwick Studio
Royal Hospital Chelsea
Chelsea Barracks Development - Key Parties:
Candy & Candy do not own the Chelsea Barracks site and neither are they part of the investment consortium that do own the Chelsea Barracks site. Candy & Candy have been appointed development managers and interior designers to the scheme by the investment consortium, Project Blue (Guernsey) Ltd, of which Qatari Diar is a majority shareholder.
Qatari Diar
Qatari Diar is a Government-backed real estate investment company responsible for creating and coordinating financially sound property development opportunities that will generate sustainable and tangible social-economic benefits.
CPC Group
CPC Group is a privately owned Property Trading and Development Company based in Guernsey. The company specialises in premium residential schemes in a number of international markets with a focus predominantly in central London. CPC deliver the best and strive to be better, uncompromising in their commitment to the standards and integrity of the company.
Candy & Candy
Candy & Candy are luxury interior designers, development managers and lifestyle consultants. The design philosophy is to offer a complete lifestyle, one which is bespoke, luxurious and unique. Accolades include Best UK Property at the International Property Awards for the past five years, Best Contemporary Interior Designer Awards and Evening Standard Best Lifestyle Awards.
Candy & Candy : One Hyde Park, Knightsbridge
London Buildings
London Architect Offices
Candy & Candy : 21 Chesham Place apartments, London
World Architecture: e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe
Chelsea Buildings
Prince Charles RIBA Talk
Comments / photos for the Chelsea Barracks page welcome:
info@e-architect.co.uk
Chelsea Barracks London - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt
Website : www.chelseabarracks.net
Buildings by this architect:
Heathrow Terminal 5
Barajas Airport
Lloyd's Building
Millennium Dome
Key London Buildings:
Battersea Power Station
London Olympic Stadium
Swiss Re Building
Key Links:
Chelsea Apartments
Skyscrapers
New Houses
London Architects
Chelsea Design Centre
London Architecture