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Lord Norman Foster

Lord Foster's Russian Projects in Jeopardy

Filed under: Real Estate Developments


Award-winning British architect Lord Norman Foster has been called the west's only really high-profile architect to conquer Russia, with seven megabucks projects currently in the works there. However, the Art Newspaper reports that most of them are now facing severe obstacles due to the country's economic decline, which has done damage to their rich oligarch sponsors. For starters, the $2 billion Russia Tower in Moscow, planned as the tallest building in Europe, has stalled because the billionaire developer couldn't secure financing, as my colleague Deidre Woollard reported back in November. Work has also come to a halt on redevelopment of the Hotel Rossia site on Red Square, plans for which include a concert hall, museum, five-star hotels, luxury apartments, offices and retail space.

Meanwhile, a scheme to convert New Holland, an artificial island in St. Petersburg built by Peter the Great in the early 18th century, into a commercial and cultural hub slated for 2010, is far behind schedule as costs have skyrocketed by some $200 million. On the bright side, Foster's massive $400 million expansion plan for Moscow's State Pushkin Museum of Fine Art, is on track thanks to the patronage of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Foster hardly lacks for work in any case; as we recently reported, he's heading up a $1.5 billion project to design a fleet of Falcon 7X jets for NetJets Europe (above).

NetJets Falcon 7X by Lord Norman Foster

Filed under: Wings

Lord Norman Foster
When NetJets Europe placed the largest order in business aviation history with manufacturer Dassault, for 33 Falcon 7X aircraft, they decided that the $1.5 billion worth of jets needed a little something special. The company commissioned British architect Lord Norman Foster (above) to design the interior and exterior of the high-tech planes, the fastest Falcon ever made. Foster drew on his experience both as a pilot and a NetJets client for the project, the result of which was just unveiled. The 33 7X's are being integrated into the NetJets fleet over the next eight years.

Foster's 7X is "thematically zoned into a well-being space for customers and a work space for crew." The passenger cabin is "light and tranquil" featuring leather seating, a cream and tan color scheme and Fiddleback Sycamore wood fittings. Foster designed the seating arrangements to accommodate both business meetings and an "enhanced sleeping and dining experience." The work area is markedly different with an industrial vibe featuring a grey and black color scheme, employing carbon fiber and steel for the galley and crew areas.

Aston Martin & Lord Foster Revamp London Buses

Filed under: Wheels


Aston Martin and famed Architect Lord Norman Foster have won a competition to re-design London's iconic double-decker buses, which were discontinued three years ago. The mayor of London hopes to have the new buses up and running in time for the London Olympics in 2012. According to the AP, in the Aston / Foster model (above), "Passengers sit on reconstituted leather upholstery while gazing through a glazed roof coated with solar panels to power heat and air conditioning. The rounded bus also boasts wood flooring and a saloon-like lower deck that the architect hopes will create 'a tactile living room feel.'" Critics of the plan have pointed out the cost of the chic new conveyances could amount to $160 million a year.

Monaco Shelves Multi-Billion $ Expansion Plan


The tiny Principality of Monaco, which trumped London in September for the title of the world's most expensive luxury property market, has shelved multi-billion dollar plans for an ambitious land expansion into the Mediterranean. The plan hatched by Monaco's Prince Albert called for a 3 million sq. ft. artificial peninsula to be built, housing luxury apartments, boutiques and tourist traps. Expected to cost $5 billion - $10 billion, the peninsula would have added 5% to Monaco's territory.

Two world-famous architects, Lord Norman Foster and Daniel Liebeskind, were competing for the project, which had been slated to begin construction in 2011. Now however, Prince Albert has called the whole thing off. "In the current climate, it would be irresponsible to launch a project of this scale," the Prince explained to the AFP, citing concerns both financial and environmental.

Lord Norman Foster's YachtPlus to Launch in Sept.

Filed under: Water


The avant-garde super-yacht designed by famed British architect Lord Norman Foster for UK fractional ownership firm YachtPlus is nearing completion and should be available next month. My colleague Deidre Woollard first reported on the luxurious project last year. The high-tech 132-ft. Foster-designed "Signature Series" craft is the first in YachtPlus' fleet, each of which will have eight owners at a share price of about $2 million each, bringing the total cost to about $16 million. Construction on the flagship steel-jacketed vessel is in its final phase at the state-of-the-art Rodriquez Cantieri Navali (RCN) shipyard in Italy. Aside from it's eye-popping design, the company claims Foster's yacht offers more deck space, interior comfort and glass surfaces than any equivalent craft of her size.

Hearst Tower New York, NY

Filed under: Journeys

Publishing giant Hearst Corp is upgrading their New York City offices to the tune of a 46 story tower designed by the amazing Lord Norman Foster. The new tower is an iconic design of diamond grid sitting atop the original 6 story art deco base built in 1928. The tower will be home to around 2,000 employees with the most popular magazines occupying the uppermost floors. After the executive suites on the 43rd floor, Cosmopolitan will claim the 38th floor and O, the Oprah mag, will have its offices on the 36th. Hearst Tower is made even more remarkable through its "green" designation, the first in NYC. The special design of its exterior enabled the construction to use 2,000 pounds less steel in the tower and a rainwater collection system irrigates plantings and provides water to a interior water feature in the lobby. Don't we all wish we could work in a place like this?


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