Centre Point: The next chapter

Sources at citizen journalism start-up Newspepper.com tell me a new chapter in the beleaguered history of Centre Point tower on New Oxford Street is about to unfold. Up on the 31st, 32nd and 33rd floors, a private members' club called Paramount has been four years in the planning and is close to completion.
Centre Point has long been embroiled in controversy. It was completed in 1964, offering 180,000 sqft of office space at a construction cost of £5.5 million. For years,property tycoon Harry Hyams kept it intentionally unoccupied as values soared against its potential rent yield. The building's estimated market value in 1973 was £20 million. Moreover, by keeping it empty it was not liable for rates.

According to records, Hyams' tactics resulted in Centre Point becoming the single most profitable landmark ever constructed in the UK - an act which so outraged students from the Architectural Association that at one point they planned to storm the building and hold the security guards hostage to publicise his actions.

Pierre Condou (the man responsible for the Century club) is behind the Paramount development and now plans to throw open its doors to event planners and the Soho media fraternity.

It'll take 28 seconds for guests to reach the 31st floor greeting area by lift. Here, visitors will find a members' bar with dedicated events space and dance floor. To ascend to the 32nd floor, visitors will climb an internal staircase with views out over the British Museum, stretching all the way towards Canary Wharf. The East Side restaurant occupies this floor and will offer European cuisine with an emphasis on provenance. The Western Bar on the same floor boasts an eclectic wine list but it won't be the bouquet of the vino that'll be stimulating the senses. Just one floor further up, a 360 degree, floor to ceiling glazed walkway will allow visitors to circumnavigate the Paramount Cocktail and Champagne Bar whilst marveling at the breath-taking views as they change from day to night.

Centre Point has withstood years of criticism and disuse to earn the accolade of a Grade Two listing. The Royal Fine Art Commission once praised the building as having an 'elegance worthy of a Wren steeple'. Now, finally it appears a new occupier will realise its elegance whilst providing guests with a new perspective on London.
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