PLANS for a towering, 43-storey skyscraper in Shoreditch, which would dwarf existing buildings in the nearby City square mile, were unveiled this week...

PLANS for a towering, 43-storey skyscraper in Shoreditch, which would dwarf existing buildings in the nearby City square mile, were unveiled this week.

The design of the proposed building in City Road, close to the Old Street roundabout, is eye-catching, with tapering, twisting upper floors and candy-striped articulated solar siphons wrapping around the top of the structure and a 15-storey external sculptured artwork incorporated on the lower floors.

However, the sheer size and scale of the development, which has yet to be submitted to Hackney Council for planning approval, has sparked concerns.

At present the site is occupied by two, four-storey, Victorian, flat-roofed warehouses. It has been acquired by Endora Holdings Ltd, part of the Access Self Storage Group.

They hope to be granted planning permission to build the skyscraper, which will include shops, restaurants and bars, plus self-storage facilities, a business centre, a fitness centre, apartments and a hotel, as well as a public bar and viewing gallery at the top of the building.

Robert Poll, treasurer of the South Shoreditch Community Association, said they had mixed feelings about the scheme because the area around Old Street had become an eyesore and a spectacular landmark building would revitalise it.

Although its height and impact on the urban landscape was a concern, he said that residents were more worried about the number of bars and restaurants proposed.

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