Building Technology

Introduction

It is not long ago that the time for high residential buildings in the UK was regarded as over. Tall buildings seemed only appropriate, if at all, for offices. The examples of failed 60s housing tower block schemes made high-rise accommodations unpopular for planners and developers alike and a demand for such buildings did virtually not exist. Yet, there are clear signs for a revival of the type. The output of new tall residential buildings has increased again and former office buildings as well as failed housing tower blocks have been converted to successful residential developments. On the other hand, as illustrated in Figure 1, the phenomenon can by no means be compared with the boom of residential towers in the 60s.

Figure 1

The new residential sector is acknowledged by professionals and professional reports. Articles in the daily press and on the internet have picked up the topic -and sometimes exaggerated the extent of the phenomenon. However, it has not reached the academic debate. Academic publications as well as policy documents in the UK have not yet discussed the recent development. The research undertaken for this report seeks to explore the preconditions and characteristics of the phenomenon. Yet, the main focus of the research is on issues of cost versus revenue in relation to height. The understanding of the economics of tall residential buildings is regarded as a condition for a sophisticated analysis of what role tall residential buildings can play under current conditions in urban planning as well as property development. There are several other important issues that are clearly related to the topic. Such is the impact of the volumetric dimension on the neighbourhood or the role tall buildings can play in the skyline.

Literature Review

Various articles in the daily press, on the internet and in professional magazines have highlighted the topic. RICS Business (2004, p.22) writes “the last few years have seen a revival in the fortunes of high-rise residential buildings. Many types of council have invested in improving … their blocks, and developers are creating a new generation of elegant, high-quality private residential towers.” The article describes the success of tall residential buildings by the Liverpool-based Beetham Organization, a developer that specializes in residential towers. In the same year the BBC News Online Magazine (news.bbc.uk) publishes an article titled “The return of high-rise Britain?”. It features both the Beetham developments as well as the Skyhouse project.

In contrast to the lack of recognition for the “rapidly developing sector” (Knight Frank, 2004, p.1) of high-rise accommodation, the issues of tall buildings in general have been subject to debate. Many authors agree that the doubt about the future of tall buildings in the aftermath of the world trade centre attack was not for long and that there “has been no slackening of the drive towards building high.” (McNeill, 2005) In Britain, tall buildings are an important topic of debate and nowhere more so than in London. In June 2005, The House of Lords has regarded a possible threat ...