{"id":779880,"date":"2025-03-21T09:22:15","date_gmt":"2025-03-21T09:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/?p=779880"},"modified":"2025-03-21T10:55:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T10:55:12","slug":"3xns-rejigged-euston-tower-overhaul-approved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.architectsjournal.co.uk\/news\/3xns-rejigged-euston-tower-overhaul-approved","title":{"rendered":"3XN\u2019s rejigged Euston Tower overhaul approved"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Danish practice\u2019s part-retrofit, part-rebuild of the modernist tower for British Land will see the landmark turned into a science and tech-led workplace, with lab-enabled spaces \u2018for cutting-edge businesses of all sizes\u2019.<\/p>\n

A significantly reworked version of the proposal, already redrawn once in 2023, was submitted in December last year.<\/p>\n

Camden Council\u2019s planning committee voted to approve the project on Thursday evening (21 March), subject to secondary approval from the Mayor of London.<\/p>\n

The proposal involves deconstructing the existing Euston Tower\u2019s fa\u00e7ade and floor slabs, while maintaining its central core, basement structure and foundations, and re-building it with enlarged floorplates. The scheme will increase internal floor area from 54,830m\u00b2<\/span> to 79,830m\u00b2.
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Approved design (left) and December 2023 design (right)<\/p>\n\t

Source:3XN (Taken from planning documents)<\/p><\/div>\n

After its transformation, the 36-storey building will provide predominantly flexible office and lab-enabled floorspace for research and development, including \u2018accelerator space\u2019 aimed at start-ups or existing businesses with rapid growth potential on floors four to 11.<\/span><\/p>\n

The plans also include nearly 1,000m\u00b2 of retail space, with 372m\u00b2 restaurant and caf\u00e9 space with terraces overlooking a revitalised public realm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The makeover will divide the tower into four quadrants with a crown at the top, and a \u2018podium\u2019 featuring \u2018rounded colours and light-coloured cladding\u2019. The rebuild will incorporate 32 storeys \u2013 the same height as the existing, but with larger floor-to-ceiling heights per floor.<\/p>\n

Camden Council\u2019s planning officers recommended the scheme for approval on the grounds that it \u2018aligns with the [borough\u2019s] strategic objective of delivering new high-quality office and lab-enabled space in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter.\u2019<\/p>\n

Officers said that, while the existing tower \u2018is not considered to be of architectural merit\u2019, the proposed building would be of \u2018high quality\u2019 and would result in an overall space which was \u2018more inclusive, greener and more inviting\u2019.<\/p>\n

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APPROVED: 3XN\/GXN and British Land’s re-jigged overhaul of Euston Tower<\/p>\n\t

Source:British land \/3XN\/GXN<\/p><\/div>\n

The part-rebuild proposal sparked controversy over its sustainability credentials when it was unveiled for public consultation in July,<\/a> featuring 25 per cent retention of the existing building.<\/p>\n

Sceptics included The Observer\u2019s<\/em> architecture critic, Rowan Moore, who hit back at the proportion of existing building fabric set to be retained, arguing \u2018the climate emergency requires a more radical rethink of construction [than] 25 per cent retention\u2019.<\/p>\n

However, a subsequent redesign following a three-part feasibility study by Camden Council advisers means that now 31 per cent of the existing structure will be retained.<\/p>\n

In their report to the council\u2019s committee, Camden planning officers acknowledged that refurbishing the existing building would be \u2018technically possible and more sustainable\u2019 than 3XN\u2019s proposed part rebuild, which, they stated, shows \u2018low figures with regards to carbon reduction\u2019.<\/p>\n

However, officers concluded that, if refurbishment were not a viable option, the proposal would be \u2018reasonable\u2019 given the design requirements for lab-enabled offices, which they acknowledged would \u2018result in higher whole-life carbon and operational carbon impacts\u2019.<\/p>\n

The report concluded: \u2018Officers therefore support deconstruction\/demolition. Officers have pushed for retention of as much as possible, but have accepted substantial demolition is needed in this case to deliver on other objectives.\u2019<\/p>\n

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APPROVED: 3XN and British Land’s re-jigged overhaul of Euston Tower – massing model<\/p>\n\t

Source:3XN\/GXN (Taken from planning documents)<\/p><\/div>\n

British Land, which has owned and operated Regent\u2019s Place, including Euston Tower, for nearly 40 years, previously told the AJ during a 2023 site visit<\/a> that the company had worked hard to mitigate the carbon impact of the project and \u2018take the right approach\u2019 to retrofitting the older building.<\/p>\n

David Lockyer, head of development at British Land, said the developer was \u2018delighted\u2019 with the planning consent which he insisted would be \u2018the first West End tower in a generation, and likely to be the last\u2019.<\/p>\n

Lockyer added: \u2018This world-class building will provide the space for the UK\u2019s greatest minds to turn research into real-world solutions.<\/p>\n

\u2018The tower is ideally located at our Regent\u2019s Place campus, where the Knowledge Quarter meets the West End, and where businesses can benefit from the great concentration of academic and research institutions between Harley Street and King\u2019s Cross.\u2019<\/p>\n

The developer recently signed British generative AI company Synthesia for 1,860m\u00b2 at a neighbouring building, 20 Triton Street, and is developing a further 27,870m\u00b2 office and lab space at 1 Triton Square with Royal London Asset Management.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3XN and its independent innovation arm GXN was supported by London-based architects Adamson Associates and architecture and landscape studio DSDHA on the designs. DSDHA practice director Deborah Saunt has described the building as a \u2018key gateway to Camden\u2019s West End\u2019.<\/p>\n

3XN senior partner and head of design Audun Opdal previously said the practice had \u2018developed a guiding hierarchy\u2019 for elements which will be removed from Euston Tower.<\/p>\n

He explained: \u2018Where we cannot retain materials in situ, we are developing innovative methodologies for recycling and upcycling, working closely with research institutes to further this.\u2019<\/p>\n