Chelsea Barracks Masterplan, Chelsea Apartments, London

Chelsea Barracks Masterplan, Chelsea, south west London
2007-
Architect: Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

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 The Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners planning application is now withdrawn.

image : Hayes Davidson/Candy & Candy

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from planning officers at Westminster city council, it is extremely disappointing that this application has been withdrawn in response to Prince Charles's views less than a week before the council was due to consider it."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

Chelsea Barracks Photos

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

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

Chelsea Buildings

Prince Charles RIBA Talk

Millennium Dome by Richard Rogers Partnership

World Architecture : e-architect - key buildings across the globe

Comments / photos for the Chelsea Barracks Masterplan page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Chelsea Barracks Masterplan London - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt

Website : www.chelseabarracks.net