London Mayor overturns planning decision and gives green light to Columbus Tower

London Mayor Boris Johnson has approved plans for Columbus Tower, a 63-story office building near Canary Wharf, overruling local officials who had rejected the skyscraper.The building , which will be developed by Commercial Estates Group will be among Britain’s tallest.

Initially The London borough of Tower Hamlets turned down the planning application in August, however the Mayor used his power to “call in” or reconsider local planning decisions for the first time since his 2008 election.

“The application will not only strengthen the success story of the Isle of Dogs, but will be hugely beneficial to the whole of London,” Johnson said .

Columbus Tower will be 237 meters (777 feet) high and have 96,433 square meters of space. A third of Columbus Tower will be taken up by office space and another third will be a 192-room hotel. There also will be 70 apartments as well as retail space.