Owners Almacantar consider plan for flat and office development for Centre Point skyscraper

Published: 21 April 2011
by DAN CARRIER

THE iconic 1960s skyscraper Centre Point could be given a new lease of life as a housing scheme in the middle of the West End.

New owners Almacantar, who finalised the deal to buy the block last week, say they have no plans as yet  for the 34-storey Grade II-listed building – but it is believed they are considering a mix of high-end apartments and office space. 

Currently, the building has a restaurant and club on the top floors but no permanent long-lease businesses in the office areas. 

Any conversion to housing would mean the new owners would have to provide a sizeable section 106 sweetener to Camden Council, under whose jurisdiction the building falls, or offer some social housing. 

Almacantar say it is too early to say what their plans are and they have yet to have any preliminary meetings with Camden housing officers or planners. 

But with developments such  as Number One Hyde Park, designed by high-end developers the Candy Brothers selling well, there has been speculation in the property and architecture press that the Richard Seifert-designed tower would be most profitable as housing – especially as Crossrail’s largest central London station is currently being carved out underneath Tottenham Court Road.