A REBUILT Crystal Palace could be designed by architects behind such iconic structures as the London Eye or the Eden Project.
The ZhongRong Group, the Chinese developers who unveiled ambitious plans in October to restore Crystal Palace Park, have unveiled a shortlist of six architects for the job.
Among them are Marks Barfield Architects, designers of the London Eye, Grimshaw, which designed the Eden Project, and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, which designed Heathrow Terminal 5.
The other firms on the shortlist are David Chipperfield Architects, Haworth Tompkins Architects and Zaha Hadid Architects with Anish Kapoor.
The selected architects are due to be appointed in the summer and will work closely with the lead consultant Arup.
The bold £500million plans include a complete rebuild of the original Crystal Palace, although it is as yet unclear what this will comprise of as ZhongRong has just promised a "culture-led exhibition and employment space".
Bromley Council, who are responsible for the park's maintenance, and Mayor of London Boris Johnson will sit on the selection panel.
A planning application could be submitted by late this year with work starting by late next year, although consultation is still taking place.
