What’s in the Walkie Talkie building? From the Sky Garden to RSA, here’s a storey-by-storey breakdown of every restaurant, bar and business in 20 Fenchurch Street July 24, 2015 It may have been open less than a year, but from frying eggs to creating wind tunnels, 20 Fenchurch Street – better known as the Walkie Talkie – has already had its fair share of controversies. But what’s actually inside? And what does its Sky Garden (also controversial after its developers decided to
London’s newest bridge from Nine Elms to Pimlico – in pictures July 21, 2015 New pictures have been revealed showing designs for what may become London's newest Bridge connecting Nine Elms and Pimlico. The four designs have been shortlisted by Wandsworth council after an international search which more than 70 teams entered. (Design and Engineering Robin Snell & Partners, Sven Ole Hansen ApS, Aarsleff and ÅF Lighting) The detailed designs will be [...]
British Land confirms dividend after strong performances across the Cheesegrater, Broadgate and Facebook’s new Euston Road premises July 20, 2015 The Cheesegrater, Broadgate and Facebook's new Euston Road premises have contributed to a solid first quarter performance at British Land. The figures The landlord reported strong occupational demand, with lettings well ahead of estimated rental value. In total during the three months the group agreed 129,000 sq ft of retail lettings or renewals, and [...]
What’s in the Cheesegrater? From Aon to Amlin, here’s a storey-by-storey breakdown of every business in the Leadenhall Building July 17, 2015 It may not be London's biggest building – but the Leadenhall Building, aka the Cheesegrater, still remains one of the tallest skyscrapers in the Square Mile, towering over its neighbours the Gherkin and the Walkie Talkie. The 225 metre building's characteristic tapered design was created to preserve views of St Paul's Cathedral. Ever [...]
Walkie Talkie prompts City clampdown on wind tunnels as skyscrapers transform London July 13, 2015 Complaints over powerful gusts of wind around the base of the Walkie Talkie skyscraper in the City have prompted planners to demand property developers seek a second opinion over their wind reports. Wind tunnels have become a more frequent problem as an apparent result of skyscrapers going up in the capital. The City of London [...]
A booming West End will be fatally undermined unless we pedestrianise Oxford Street June 21, 2015 Oxford Street needs to be pedestrianised. There is a growing consensus about this among traders, transport operators, and local councils. The question is when and how. The “when” is easiest to answer. The new east-west Crossrail line starts operating through Central London in four years’ time. It will generate a new surge of people coming [...]
London space race takes off: City firms scramble for offices as demand hits highest level since 2000 June 18, 2015 Demand for office space in the capital has boomed to levels not seen in 15 years, new figures show, as companies, spurred on by the improving economic environment and stability following the General Election, pick up their search for space. The amount of space under offer in central London leapt by 25 per cent [...]
Westminster repairs could cost £5.7bn: With parliament’s palace falling apart, what are the options to save it? June 18, 2015 The Palace of Westminster is crumbling. According to leading architects, the UNESCO World Heritage site, which contains the House of Commons and the House of Lords, now suffers from “extensive” stonework decay, leaking roofs and corrosion – and that’s just the beginning. Dr Richard Ware, programme director for Palace of Westminster Restoration and Renewal, [...]
MPs will have to move out of House of Commons for at least two years under multi-billion-pound restoration plans June 18, 2015 MPs will be moved out of the House of Commons for several years under plans to renovate the UK's crumbling Palace of Westminster. A report, produced by consultants on behalf of the government, today put forward a number of options – but all of them involve the closure of both chambers for at least [...]
Former City of London planning officer Peter Rees on the launch of The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Environment in London: “We can’t have more piles of safe deposit boxes” June 18, 2015 The number of skyscrapers in London has increased noticeably over recent years – and it turns out that hasn’t gone unobserved by the international community of tall building enthusiasts. Last night, the Chicago-based Council for Tall Buildings and the Urban Habitat (CTBUH) – whose chief claim to fame is as the official arbiter of [...]