In an 18-7 vote on April 2, the City of London Corporation granted planning approval for the so-called Tulip, a 1,000-foot-tall tower designed by Foster + Partners. Having cleared this major hurdle, the decision now moves to the office of the Mayor of London. Directly adjacent to the so-called Gherkin, also designed by Foster + Partners, the Tulip would work as a kind of companion tower (the Gherkin and the Tulip are both developed by the same company, J. Safra Group). First envisioned as a way to enhance the public offerings of the Gherkin, the Tulip will provide panoramic views of London, complete with restaurants, exhibitions spaces, conference centers, and an educational environment that can be used by local school groups studying the city.

As part of the approvals process, Deloitte prepared an economic impact assessment for the Tulip, and its economists estimate the project would yield economic benefits to London amounting to nearly £1 billion (approx. $1.3 billion) in totally monetized value by 2045, along with 600 additional permanent full-time jobs during 20 years of operations.

A rendering shows views looking down over the sky atrium.

To be expected, not everyone saw the proposed tower based on this economic argument. Vocal opposition pointed to its unorthodox shape and soaring height, which would risk encroaching on view shed from nearby historic sites. The Tower of London, for example, is a short ten-minute walk away.

A rendering shows how visitors can ride a gondola up and down the building's exterior.

Historic Royal Palaces claimed “the Tulip’s design would make it the most visually intrusive element” in London’s Culture Mile district, and that “its effect would be both major and adverse.” Historic England warned it would cause “harm to the significance of the Tower of London.”

Despite these formal oppositions, a majority of Londoners approved of the project. In a poll conducted by ComRes, 65 percent of Londoners said the Tulip would be an attractive addition to the London skyline, while 69 percent agreed that it would have a positive impact on “the City’s attractiveness as a visitor and cultural destination.” Barring any derailments in the remaining planning process, Foster + Partners anticipates construction to begin in 2020, and for the project to finish in 2025.