The proposed 48-storey Skye Halifax buildings were designed to resemble boat sails. United Gulf Developments Ltd.

The same developer behind the controversial Twisted Sisters project wants to replace the original plan in favour of a taller pair of buildings.

Navid Saberi, head of United Gulf Developments Ltd., wants to build two 48-storey towers in downtown Halifax at the corner Hollis and Sackville streets.

The application for the Skye Halifax proposal was filed Wednesday. The development would cost $350 million and include condos, hotel rooms, restaurants, and retail space.

The building would be LEED-certified, meaning it meets an internationally recognized green building certification system.

The rendering shows twin curved towers that are supposed to resemble sails.

"We wanted basically to build something iconic," said Saberi.

Saberi is proposing to build the tallest buildings in Halifax. The tallest building in Halifax now is Fenwick Tower, which stands at 33-stories.

Saberi's original plan envisioned a pair of 27-storey towers, dubbed the Twisted Sisters.

Critics worried about losing the view of the Halifax harbour from Citadel Hill and disturbing the street's heritage look.

Time ran out on that $150-million development agreement last year, which had been approved by HRM council in 2006.

Saberi's aim for 48-storeys is double what's allowed under city rules, but he said views of the harbour would not be fully blocked.

"We have not disturbed the view plane for the project," he said.

Saberi hopes he'll get city council approval once again to create something contemporary.

"It is going to be the new heritage," Saberi said. "We don't always want to be mimic[ing] the past, we want to respect it, but also we want to be creative."

Saberi hopes to start construction by the end of 2012.