Saffron Square is part of the Croydon Vision 2020 regeneration plan for the London Borough of Croydon to add to its goal of being London's Third City. The area was developed by Berkeley Homes. Planning permission for the tower was given in April 2008,[2] and construction began in 2011, with completion in 2016.
History
Saffron Square in May 2014
In the mid-2000s, the development of tall buildings was being encouraged in the London Plan, which would lead to the erection of new skyscrapers over the next few years as London went through a high-rise boom.[3]
By 2008, the site, on main Croydon thoroughfare Wellesley Road, had lain fallow for over ten years. The project aimed to start in 2008 with completion in 2012, however, construction started in 2011. By June 2013, the tower's construction was well underway with its final completion expected in 2015.[4][5] As of early 2014, a large part of the project had been completed. Upon completion, Saffron Square was the tallest residential tower in Croydon, with 414 private apartments and penthouses, overtaken in 2019 by 101 George Street.[6]
Saffron Tower was nominated for the 2016 Carbuncle Cup for the ugliest building of the previous 12 months,[7] but the award went to Lincoln Plaza in Docklands.[8]
Plans
Berkeley Homes' proposals for this key northern gateway site include, but are not limited to:
A new town square accessible to all and integral to the design. Offering a public environment to the large number of people who work in Croydon.
A 43-storey tower incorporating a light feature to the Croydon skyline.
Approximately 800 new homes, a proportion of which will be for affordable/key worker housing. 10% will be for shared ownership housing.
3,000 m2 of retail floorspace including shops, restaurants and cafés surrounding the public square.
Sustainable initiatives to minimise the scheme's impact on the environment. A significant proportion of the site's energy requirements will be met by on site renewable energy sources.[citation needed]
