A monolithic horror, indeed

Published: 10 June, 2010

• RENZO Piano quite calmly tells us that the building he demolished in order to build his new St Giles Circus development was “monolithic”’ and a “horror” “loomed over the area” and “formed a barrier” between Soho and Covent Garden (Review, June 3).  

What breathtaking arrogance! He precisely describes his own development, which is far more intrusive in scale, height, massing, alignment and materials than its predecessor, as anyone with the misfortune to live in the area is daily reminded.  

It is too much to expect an architect of his kind to have any understanding of history and context, but how a building that so offends against planning policy guidance was ever approved by the council I have no idea. It is a tragedy that this golden opportunity to have a sensitive link between historic Bloomsbury and historic Covent Garden has been wasted.

ANTHONY JENNINGS 
Bloomsbury Street, WC1