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Revealed: bust-up with Boris made Lord Rogers quit
Will Hurst and Katharine Barney20.11.09
An extraordinary row between Boris Johnson and one of the world's leading architects is revealed today.
Richard Rogers quit suddenly as a mayoral aide after nine years because of a breakdown in his relationship with Mr Johnson, private letters show.
The Mayor's spokesman suggested today the pair had fallen out over Lord Rogers' hugely controversial redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks, with Mr Johnson backing Prince Charles's objections to the modern designs.
But the correspondence - obtained under freedom of information laws - also lays bare Lord Rogers' repeated attempts to force Mr Johnson into giving the go-ahead for work to improve public spaces in London, and his frustration at a lack of action.
This prompted Lord Rogers - whose landmark work includes the Lloyds of London building in the City, Terminal Five at Heathrow and the Pompidou Centre in Paris -- to quit in frustration as a mayoral architecture adviser last month.
Lord Rogers, whose offer to work for free for half a day a week was rebuffed by the Mayor, penned a devastating resignation letter in September complaining of being undermined and “blocked” by the Mayor and his deputies in carrying out urgent work to improve the capital's public realm.
He wrote: “I am disappointed and frustrated that for over a year you and your deputies have blocked me from realising the work we discussed at our first meeting and in numerous letters: to lead a professional team to design and deliver public spaces in London.
“As for you and I working closely together, this, quite simply, has never happened. Without a team and without your support I cannot continue.”
But Mr Johnson's spokesman today said the relationship had broken down because Lord Rogers was unhappy at not having the final say.
Letters obtained by Building Design magazine show Mr Johnson had originally termed Lord Rogers — who was Ken Livingstone's unpaid chief architectural adviser — his “Agrippa”, a reference to a Roman general credited for securing victories for his master.
Mr Johnson's spokesman told the Standard: “We didn't tell him to leave, he resigned. But it was clear we were on different sides of the fence over Chelsea Barracks.
“He [Rogers] was very frustrated at Prince Charles and Boris is closer to the thinking of the heir to throne and that didn't help.”
The £3 billion Rogers design for the barracks, in Belgravia, proposed modernist steel and glass tower blocks, while the Prince had advocated more traditional buildings.
It was eventually abandoned by developers Qatari Diar and new designs commissioned from other architects. Lord Rogers said the Prince “single-handedly destroyed the project”.
Mr Johnson's spokesman said: “I don't think there was any particular animosity. Richard Rogers obviously felt more happy under the ancien regime.”
Reader views (18)
Lord Rogers has been active in the Labour Party for many years and has modern views of buildings. Truth be said Lord Rogers work needed blocking as its is not that good, you are elected Boris.
- Andrew, London
Johnson is making London the laughingstock capital of the world. Who's going to invest in a city with the equivalent cocoa the clown in charge?
- James Hennessy, Manchester England
You people have no idea do you? I notice most of you don't live in London or even the UK.
Where do you think the Trafalgar square redesign came from, yes another 'chippy' socialist.
As for Prince Charles being the 'voice of the people' do me favour!
I'd have more time if he took as much interest in the out of town retail parks that are destroying the couuntryside everywhere than some high profile scheme that he thinks he can influence.
Oh by the way Roz get your facts right, Chelsea barracks had the support of both the RBKC planners, EH and the Victorian Society.Local people? These would be those 'locals' who vist for 60 days a year then
- Robin, London
Yet another person leaves Boris' team after delivering precious little. Personally I support Lord Rogers views on architecture for a modern city in a modern world, but also appreciate he can be unnecessarily uncompromising. However, the wider issue remains as to what real and actual value Boris has added after more than a year in post? I am really struggling to understand what benefit he is bringing to this city at a time when constructive direction and action is required. To date it's been a dismal, lacklustre administration. How depressing.
- Adam, London
Another example of how Boris is bad for London. Just like every other issue, he has been full of hot air about how he will do something about public spaces in London, but when Rogers tried to make him act on his promises, he wouldn't. Will he do anything progressive that will make people look to our city as a forward-thinking place, as they once did. Or are we to be left with neo-classical boring buildings and dreary public spaces. What does Boris actually DO?!
- Alastair, London, UK
Good riddance to him. These people are so arrogant that they think they can change London's appearance without reference to any of the public. They just want to see monuments to themselves. Rogers should note that many similar monstrosities from the 60s are now being demolished. Prince Charles has as much right to an opinion as this man does.
- Richard S, Battersea, London
If you want en example of the chaos facing the UK under the Tories, just look at the shambles at City Hall - misuse of expenses; failing promises and constant personal gripes. The problem is the Etonians believe they are bred to rule and the rest of use just have to suffer while Rome burns.
- Steve S, London
Hmm No great loss there I'm afraid.
- Steve, Brentford
Roz, France
You sum up the moody & arrogant Rogers very well. Let's not forget that he is a fully paid up member of the labour party and hates anything tory with a vengeance (like most chippy socialists do). Just because people don't agree with him he storms off like a spoilt child.
The residents didn't want Rogers' experimental and hideous buildings anyway, so it would seem that democracy has won. What problem do the lefties have with that?
- Tom W, London
Richard Rogers is an architect? You could have fooled me. He is like a little spoilt rich kid playing with his super-gold leggo set. Building ghastly monstrosities, which only his father would ever describe as well designed.
Hitler tried to ruin London, Rogers has succeeded.
- Peter Thurgood, London, UK
Please help SAVE FITZROVIA from destruction by greedy property developers and pretentious architecture corporations who are destroying historic neighbourhoods, demolishing characterful buildings and replacing them with brutal glass and steel cubes. London is being wrecked.
- David, London
Good he's left. Modern architecture has no place in London.
- Paul, London
Clash of Ego's more like - HRH was absolutely correct to make a case for classic architecture which is what London is all about!!
go to Dubai or Doha or Abu Dhabi if you want to build glass towers ,which are pulled down within 20 years as they are outdated.Classic architecture on the other hand gets better with age.
- Keith G Skelton, Colombo : Sri Lanka
Why the surprise? Rogers is a rank socialist whereas Boris has a brain.
- Rs, Winchester, England
Why on earth would anyone want to be advised by Rogers? I was very glad indeed when he went. He doesn't represent London. He represents himself and property developers.
- Naomi, Chelsea, UK
Er, just like the hissy-fit he had over the Olypics site, too - and that wasn't with Boris Johnson. Sounds like you have to do as he says or he throws his toys out of the cot: he'll even work 'for free' to increase his leverage (ummmm, then designs for each project are submitted by his own company). And let's not forget that, despite the negative publicity for Prince Charles, Rogers' designs were also rejected by the Government's own agency, English Heritage, and those of the local people: Prince Charles only stepped in when THOSE were being over-ridden too. I can't help wondering whether someone who rides rough-shod over other people's views and then tries to get their own way by grandstanding is an appropriate choice for a seat in the House of Lords.
Personally I'd have thought there was a conflict in interests in someone advising the Mayor of London in an area where they themselves are a major - and active - player.
- Roz, France
"The Mayor's spokesman suggested today..."
should read
"One of Boris's highly-paid spin doctors tried to pretend today contrary to the evidence..."
Wake up and smell the spin, people. It's like and episode of 'The Thick Of It' at City Hall these days. Nice to see the Standard taking things with a pinch of a salt these days, obviously the relationship between two strong characters, one committed to changing the world and one incapable of changing his shirt without expert assistance would end in tears.
- Tom, London, UK
Who wouldn't get fed up with Johnson. He won't be happy until we see a Colesium built in Piccadilly Circus and architects thrown to the lions.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon
