The developer behind plans for the controversial Tulip skyscraper on Wednesday attempted to quieten critics by claiming the City’s tallest building would give a £1 billion boost to London’s economy.
J. Safra Group, the Brazil-based owner of the Gherkin, has submitted an economic assessment of the proposed 1000ft tower to the City of London Corporation.
The firm wants to build 12 floors of attractions, including a bar, restaurants and a “classroom in the sky”.
Its new report, which Deloitte advised on, forecasts a £970 million boost to Greater London’s economy by 2045, creating 460 construction jobs and 600 permanent roles.
In addition, 40,000 free places per year for the education room would be given to London’s state school children.
Jacob Safra at J. Safra Group said of the proposals: “We have trebled the space and doubled the capacity of our state-of-the-art interactive ‘classroom in the sky’, offering 360 degree views of the city.”
The Foster+Partners-designed proposals have come under fire since being unveiled last year. The Greater London Authority has warned over the property harming protected views of the Tower of London.
London City Airport had been worried about the impact of the property on its radar systems. However, NATS, the air traffic services provider, last year said it had assessed the plans and is satisfied that no impact is anticipated from the building. It said the development will be shielded by the existing cluster of high rise buildings, whose impact has been managed or has been deemed to be acceptable.
