First the Gherkin, now meet The Octopus!

Dec 18 2009 By Robert Cumber

The Octopus could be built in Chiswick

NICKNAMED 'The Octopus' and designed by the man behind London's Gherkin, this could soon be the sight that greets visitors to Chiswick.

Developers London & Bath claim the 170ft five-storey office block, by Chiswick Roundabout, will act as a gateway to London for drivers using the M4.

The firm's managing director Kim Gottlieb said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to regenerate a derelict site and to mark the most important route into London, with a piece of world class architecture in time for the Olympics."

A planning application was submitted in November and a decision is expected early next year. Should it get the green light, Mr Gottlieb said it could be finished as early as December 2011.

The multi-million pound development would contain 25,000 square feet of office space and the outside would act as a giant electric advertising hoarding.

The striking design is the brainchild of renowned architect Ken Shuttleworth, whose work includes The Gherkin, home to the London Assembly, and the Millennium Bridge between St Paul's and the Tate Modern.

The West Chsiwick & Gunnersbury Society has given the building a cautious welcome, agreeing that it would provide a 'sculptural landmark or gateway to London'.

At a meeting last month, they concluded the building had 'an interesting and possibly attractive character' and could 'enliven a very dismal and ugly site'.

However, they asked for assurances the LED advertising display would be dimmed at night to reduce light pollution and for a thorough assessment to be made of the possible effects on congestion around the site.