(R55) CRYSTAL PALACE CAMPAIGN - IMMEDIATE MEDIA RELEASE - 11 March 2001
TROPHY ARCHITECTURE – IAN RITCHIE BLOWS WHISTLE ON THE CRYSTAL PALACE FIASCO
On the 10 March BBC Today Programme eminent architect Ian Ritchie exposed the reasons for his shock departure from the Crystal Palace 20-screen multiplex leisure project. Reporter Andrew Hoskin said that Ritchie had spent two and a half years working on the scheme until last summer, when the developer [London & Regional Properties Ltd] asked him to cut the cost by 25%.
Speaking publicly for the first time Ian Ritchie said:
“They came to see us and put new terms down to us to reduce the cost quite drastically. To change the method of procuring the building - that’s how it’s built - from ‘construction management fixed price’ route to a ‘design and build’ route; together with trying to accelerate it quickly, having already stopped for six months, suddenly having a very short time to resolve certain design issues and to get on site within a few months. At the time they were changing, if you like, the rules of engagement. So we declined to accept any further instructions from the client.”
Ken Lewington, Crystal Palace Campaign Vice-Chairman, said:
“Whilst the debate on trophy architecture and the proposed multiplex building may continue, the Campaign and its supporters want no such development on Crystal Palace Park.”
In the enclosed chronology, the sad history of the project is outlined from 1995 to date. If ever built, the new, so-called ‘Crystal Palace’ will do nothing but blight a much-loved historic Park in the heart of Greater London’s southern suburbs.
The Crystal Palace Campaign has, with tens of thousands of supporters, opposed this scheme since April 1997 and will not rest until it is abandoned.
Press Officer: Fred Emery 020 8761 0076 Mobile: 0794 117 202
All correspondence to: Hon Secretary, 33 HogarthCourt, Fountain Drive, London SE19 1U
E-mail: fred@syre.demon.co.uk Website: www.crystal.dircon.co.uk
11/3/01 Last updated
11/3/01