Westminster Council awarded a planning approval for the first three blocks of luxury flats on the 13-acre site.
Despite minor objections from Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Chelsea Society and English Heritage, the project was passed following a public consultation involving 4,000 people.
Each building comprises of six floors with a two-floor penthouse set back from the building line of the lower floors.
The Chelsea Barracks, designed by London architects Squire and Partners, will provide local amenities, leisure facilities, public squares, new streets and gardens.
The first 74 flats in three modern buildings between Pimlico Road and Chelsea Bridge Road are planned for completion by 2018.
According to the funder, the scheme will be the “pinnacle of global luxury real-estate” while also providing 120-plus “affordable” homes.
Preparatory demolition work is already underway and the first site cabins will be set up this month ahead of construction.
Upon the scheme’s completion there will be 448 new apartments with prices ranging from £2 million to £50 million.
Mayor Boris Johnson today welcomed the decision to approve the project. He said: “I am pleased that Westminster City Council has granted permission for the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks. This scheme will create new homes and jobs for the capital.”
Alastair Moss, chairman of the Tory run council’s planning committee, said: “This is a very high profile site and this design really sets the tone. It is very rare that we can get a blank canvas like this, so the design is a key aspect. This is a well thought-through design that doesn’t jar with its surroundings, but is contemporary in its approach.”
Qatari Diar acquired the MoD site eight years ago for almost £1bn, making it the most expensive residential development in the history of Britain’s construction history.
The main consultants on the scheme are Arup, covering structural design and Atelier Ten, mechanical and electrical design. E C Harris is cost consultant.
Photo Source: Standard