Croydon’s tallest skyscraper site bought by American developer Greystar

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

The future plans for Croydon’s tallest skyscraper are uncertain as the land has been sold off to a new developer.

Greystar has bought the One Landsdowne Road site in central Croydon, where one of the UK’s tallest buildings was planned by Guildhouse Rosepride.

Croydon council approved plans for two towers of 68 and 41 storeys, linked by an 11-storey podium structure.

The buildings would have had 794 flats, offices, a swimming pool, bar and public viewing gallery.

At 228m-tall, One Landsdowne would have become the UK’s fifth tallest building.

But the proposals approved in 2017 are now not likely to be realised, as the new owner said it plans on submitting a new planning application.

The site covers 1-5 Landsdowne Road, where the former Landsdowne Hotel stood.

Greystar is a build-to-rent operator which already runs 44-storey development Ten Degrees over the road from East Croydon railway station.

A spokesman for the company said it is in the early stages of “reviewing the existing planning consent”.

He added: “A lot has changed over the past five years since the existing application was approved, and we have begun to identify areas where we feel improvements could be made to ensure that we create something that reflects market demands, is deliverable and meets the needs of the borough.

“This will require a new planning application to be prepared and submitted to Croydon council and as an early part of this process we have submitted a document to the Council to agree the scope of the planning documents which will be required.

“We will work in close collaboration with the council and local community to develop any plans in detail. We look forward to working with the community during our public consultation in the coming months to share our early vision and ask for public feedback.”

A representative of Greystar is understood to have met with Croydon council planners on Thursday.

Croydon Mayor Jason Perry was not aware the site had been sold but welcomed movement on the site.

He added: “We will look at a planning application on its merits when it comes in. It is really important having investment in our town centre.”

Pictured top: The site of the approved One Landsdowne towers has been bought by Greystar (Picture: Tara O’Connor)