Max Nasatyr, 68; Architect Key to River Thames Development
Max Nasatyr, 68, an architect who fought to preserve a large stretch of the River Thames in London from wholesale redevelopment, died of a heart attack while playing tennis May 14.
A leading figure in city planning and a champion of small businesses, in the 1970s Nasatyr helped fight off big commercial interests that wanted to bulldoze older buildings along the Thames to develop new shops and offices.
His housing designs were innovative in several ways: His traditional London squares have gardens in front of the houses instead of behind, and he opened up the riverbank to residents.
Inspired by Boston’s successful Quincy Market, he rescued the Oxo Tower and the warehouse in which it stands. It is now a popular venue that houses a rooftop restaurant, housing, workshops, shops and a museum.
One of his last commissions was to design a green outside London’s Old Vic theater.
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