Press release 8 June 2007
Tivoli stops hotel project by Norman Foster
The leader of the Conservatives in Copenhagen, Mogens Lønborg, has announced today that the party has decided not to support Tivoli's hotel project.There is thus no political majority at the City Hall to give permission to the project, as the Liberal Party already have announced that they do not support the project either.
Consequently, Tivoli has now decided not to proceed with Norman Foster's project.
"We think that it is a beautiful and visionary project that we have presented. Therefore, we are amazed to discover that the liberal and conservative politicians in Copenhagen now say no to a building that could be a fantastic landmark for the city and Tivoli,” says Lars Liebst, managing director of Tivoli.
The project has already obtained wide recognition among architects, and many Copenhageners have voted yes to an implementation of the project in an online vote carried out by Berlingske Tidende.The fact that the project is now rejected by the liberals and conservatives at the Copenhagen City Hall must thus rather be seen as an expression of local politics than the result of an objective debate about architecture and Copenhagen's future development as an international metropolis.
In this way Norman Foster's project shares the fate of other visionary projects in Copenhagen in the course of time.
Proposals have been put forward to adjust and move the project, but that is declined by Lars Liebst:
"Norman Foster's project is destined for the specific site and the specific purpose. Accordingly, it is not justifiable from an architectural point of view to change the project."
Tivoli awaits the outcome of the pending preservation of the H.C. Andersen Castle, before a decision is made with regard to the future of the site.
Best regards
T I V O L I
Lars Liebst
Managing Director
Contact:Head of communications, Stine Lolk (phone +45 33 75 03 38 / sl@tivoli.dk)
