Architecture Update: Sunk in Docklands

SEIFERT Ltd, a part of one of the biggest architectural practices in Britain, is the latest failure in the London Docklands. Established six years ago, the company has gone into receivership after having to meet a crippling annual rent of pounds 872,000 on a development known as The Mansion at Marsh Wall. Seifert designed and developed the property and subsequently arranged a sale and lease- back deal with the Greig Middleton Enterprise Zone Trust with the intention of sub-letting, which proved impossible. A spokesman for the company said 'it's been dreadful the way that Docklands has caused so many problems'.