Benson + Forsyth landed the GBP80 million ($128.4 million approx), 46,000 square meters project after seeing off John McAslan & Partners, Panter Hudspith, FLACQ and Studio Egret West following a high-profile Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) competition. The competition was to redevelop the City North site in Finsbury Park, North London. All five short listed firms were asked to come up with schemes to improve the quality of public spaces around Finsbury Park station and provide a range of land uses.
The circular drum-like tower features a rectangular service shaft on the southern edge of the site. The rectangular second tower stands on Wells Terrace and is orientated to sit perpendicular to the long, low-rise building. About 480 apartments and a number of new retail units will be featured.
According to the practice, the proposal is contextually defined both locally, and at the scale of the city. The scheme repairs and reinforces the fragmented urban fabric at the street level. The taller elements of the composition are designed to address and frame views of significant landmarks.
