London’s South Bank area is desperately in need of rejuvenation. While I agree with Simon Jenkins that the proposed “pile of boxes” is somewhat unimaginative, I disagree with his dislike of its size (Expensive and loathed, ‘the Slab’ will be a terrible monument. It’s being called Gove Towers and he deserves it, 8 February). It would look fine against the backdrop of, say, a soaring residential tower with a height of 500 metres or more. Such a tower could rise above the now-dilapidated Waterloo station.
Bringing Europe’s tallest building back to London would be an inspiring and visionary project that could restore London’s pride. An immense residential tower would also help to alleviate our capital’s accommodation shortage, particularly if built with an element of public funds and with a quota of affordable units. As for the National Theatre and Royal Festival Hall, it’s probably time to demolish these dated buildings and rebuild them at a larger scale in a more modern style.
Frank DM Wilson
Cambridge
