Berkshire planners are considering a scheme to transform an empty 1970s office block into the mirror image of a 19th century upstate New York skyscraper.
The project, proposed by the building’s joint venture owners Brockton Capital and Landid Property, would add four more floors to Reading’s 11-storey Thames Tower (above) to create a landmark building with a striking new facade.
“The objective of this development is to re-engineer and reinvigorate a worn and dated building into a mixed-use workplace of the 21st century, which will attract progressive companies looking for premises in urban, amenity rich locations,” says the application lodged with the town’s council.
It also explains how the design of the upgrade was inspired by the Guaranty Building — now the Prudential Building — in Buffalo, New York . Both properties are about the same size and have a very similar look and footprint.
Completed in 1896 as a speculative venture, the Guaranty Building (below) was designed by “the father of American skyscrapers” Louis Sullivan who believed that “architectural form should always follow function”. After years of decline his Buffalo creation suffered a serious fire in 1974 and was eventually restored to become the headquarters of a law firm.
The similarities between the New York state building and Reading tower are not just confined to size and shape. Both were dressed in red, but the Thames Tower developers want to use modern terracotta cladding to blend in with neighbouring red brick town centre buildings. Re-cladding the building will also remove its chamfered corners to give it a more timeless and contemporary appearance, the application says.
As part of the regeneration, the entire first floor would be removed to create a grand, double height ground floor reception area with retail and catering units.
Most of the building’s plant would be relocated from the roof to the basement, where there will also be facilities for cyclists, showers and changing rooms. The extra space could then be used as a rooftop terrace.
Discussions have also been taking place with Sackville Developments Reading Ltd, the company behind the adjoining Station Hill redevelopment, to improve the public area to the north of Thames Tower, which will form part of the new station plaza.
The 147,000sq ft office building was sold in 2004 by Portfolio Holdings for £26m. Seven years later its new owner, LaSalle Investment Management, announced plans to demolish it and build a “landmark” development on the site. Within months it admitted bulldozing the property next door to Reading Station was too dangerous and downgraded the scheme to an upgrade and re-cladding.
At that time LaSalle’s European director, Andrew Bull, said he believed the site was “one of the best office locations outside London”.
At that time LaSalle’s European director, Andrew Bull, said he believed the site was “one of the best office locations outside London”.
Thames Tower was never re-let after the multi-million pound refurbishment and has remained empty since 2010. This January Brockton Capital joined forces with specialist Thames Valley developer Landid Property and acquired the site for an undisclosed sum, thought to be around £20m.
