Electric Razor Construction Buzzes To Life

Another tall building that is set to help define London's future skyline has started construction.

Called Strata, the 147 metre tall residential tower will occupy the former Castle House site in Elephant and Castle SE1. The distinctive design by Hamiltons features three wind turbines at the top of it which when combined with the sloping upper floors help give the scheme the look of a Phillishave, hence the nickname - the Electric Razor.

The presence of these 9 metre diameter wind turbines that will stand so noticeably on the London cityscape will be one of the most visible examples of green technology yet employed in housing. Combined with other measures such as water collection and energy efficiency used throughout the building the end result will be energy bills perhaps 40% less than the UK average for occupants.

Within will be a total of 399 new apartments in the tower over 43 storeys with 98 of these on the lower floors for social housing. From floors 11 to 42 there will be 301 private apartments including the penthouses.

It's already proven a success for developer Multiplex Living, with buyers having almost sold out completely off-plan on a matter of weeks after apartments were first released to the market showing that the attraction of high-rise living is not just limited to Canary Wharf.