Architecture

Billionaire Safra's 1,000-Foot London Tulip Gets Green Light

  • Tower would stand next to Gherkin that Safra bought in 2014
  • Proposal drew objections for harming views of Tower of London
Photo illustration showing the Tulip building.Source: Foster + Partners

Billionaire Joseph Safra won initial approval to build a 305-meter (1,000-foot) tower in the shape of a tulip next to his Gherkin skyscraper in London’s financial district.

The City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee waved through the design by architects Foster + Partners. The plans for a slender tower topped with a glass dome could now be subject to further approval by the mayor of London and government ministers before work can begin.