New designs for a 27-storey student tower and almost 200 new homes have been revealed.
The plans to redevelop the historic Archway Hospital site in Archway Road have been submitted by developer SevenCapital.
If approved, the site would include 178 new homes, half of which would be affordable, as well as 242 student accommodation rooms in the tower and one of the existing buildings.
Many on social media ridiculed initial plans for the tower block when they were presented last year, comparing the design to Sauron’s tower in Lord of the Rings.
But in the final designs submitted to Islington Council last month, the tower has a flat roof, erasing this resemblance.
The developer has also shaved nine storeys from the original height of the tower, axing more than 50 student rooms.
Fewer homes are also planned for the site than the original proposals suggested, and these will be built in three new blocks and three of the existing buildings.
Some of the buildings at the Archway Hospital site date back to 1879, but have been vacant for the last decade.
Under the plans, the Holborn Union building would be largely maintained, as well as the Clerkenwell and Charterhouse wings.
The Clerkenwell wing would provide 32 student flats, with the remaining student rooms created in the new 27-storey tower.
The other existing buildings would be used to provide 87 homes to be sold on the open market.
In total, 91 affordable homes will be built in the three new blocks on the site.
Three buildings on the west of the site will be demolished, as well as temporary buildings close to Highgate Hill.
The developer has also committed to creating new open spaces at the site, including a public square and playground.
The vision statement for the development says: “The project seeks to redevelop the site by keeping its key heritage and natural assets, converting, and extending the retained buildings for residential use and opening up the site to public access for the first time so everyone can enjoy them.”
Full details of the plans can be found on Islington Council’s planning portal under reference P2024/2598/FUL.
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