Work to build 82 flats could start next spring

The developer behind the stalled plan to build new flats behind Lord’s cricket ground is hoping for better luck on another residential scheme it is planning at a second London landmark.

Almacantar has unveiled designs to build 82 flats at Centre Point, the 1960s tower at the eastern end of Oxford Street that was designed by Richard Seifert.

The firm bought the grade II-listed tower out of administration last year and is hoping its scheme by Rick Mather Architects and Conran & Partners can start on site next year. The landscape architect on the scheme, expected to cost £350 million in total, is Gillespies.

The tower is set to form a key part of the overhaul of the surrounding Tottenham Court Road area where work is being carried out to overhaul the existing underground station and build a new Crossrail station.

As well as the apartments, the plans for Centre Point include a double-level penthouse apartment and a piazza and courtyard at ground level as large as Convent Garden.

Plans will be submitted to Camden council later this spring while work on site could start in 12 months’ time.

Among the other work being planned for the area is a new 350-seat theatre by AHMM – the firm behind the flats scheme at Lord’s – which will replace the Astoria music venue which was demolished as part of the Crossrail work. And Hawkins Brown is behind plans to put new flats on top of the planned Tottenham Court Road Crossrail ticket office.