LONDON | Heron Tower | 807 FT / 246 M | 47 FLOORS | T/O

[wjfox2004]

I am proud to report that - after a 5 year wait - demolition work has finally started on the site of the Heron Tower in London's financial district. At nearly 800ft, it's set to become the UK's tallest building, even overtaking 1 Canada Square by pinnacle height.

The architects are Kohn Pederson Fox. Completion is scheduled for 2010. Here are some renderings :cool:



http://i1.tinypic.com/20ax9j5.jpg


http://i2.tinypic.com/20axbo6.jpg


http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/59HeronTower_pic9.jpg


http://i2.tinypic.com/20axc75.jpg

[James2390]

I like it, but it's sort of blocky and fat.

[Visiteur]

Strange, why did I think this was to be taller? I though this was ~280 meters in height...oh well. The light, airy look is appreciated.

[Fabb]

Good !
But I thought that the mayor wanted something taller for this site.

[wjfox2004]

Strange, why did I think this was to be taller? I though this was ~280 meters in height...oh well. The light, airy look is appreciated.
You're probably thinking of the Bishopsgate Tower (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=106324) which is further south. :)


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1c/London_skyline_2012_large.jpg

[ltsmotorsport]

Great looking building.

[WonderlandPark]

Derivitave or Rogers or Foster, but KPF does a nice job here.

[STR]

http://i1.tinypic.com/20ax9j5.jpg

Interesting, at least 3 double deck glass elevators.

[Stu]

The corner spire look is a bit over used but it's a decent design.

[RafflesCity]

An elegant design and it should look quite nice with the crown and spire lit up at night.

But 1 Canada Square definitely has more presence

[Dale]

What's the rush on this one ? ;)

[Jonas]

This is good, if the completeion is really scheduled for 2010 we should expect this one start rising at some point in 2007.
P.S. design is so R.Rogers, I can't believe it's not him! :)

[wjfox2004]

Looks like this WILL be built after all! :banana: :banana: :banana:

From today's Property Week -



Heron on brink of funding coup for £500m tower
and £95m Barcelona leisure sale

24.11.2006
By Laura Chesters, Deirdre Hipwell, Daniel Thomas

Gerald Ronson’s Heron International is poised to seal a double international investment triumph.

In London, Heron has secured equity funding for the £500m, ‘six-star’ Heron Tower in the City from the State of Oman and corporate clients of Strategic Real Estate Investors.

The developer has also agreed a deal with Australian investment firm Babcock & Brown to sell Heron City in Barcelona, its flagship leisure and retail scheme, for around €140m (£95m).

At the Heron tower in the City, Heron is expected to invest £44m of its own money and has secured debt finance.

It had been in talks with three other global institutions but chose the State of Oman and clients of StratReal.

The funding and the debt package for the 451,474 sq ft (41,943 sq m) development is a coup for Ronson and Heron. Sceptics had suggested that it would struggle to get the tower off the ground. However, it will now be built to coincide with a strong forecast leasing market towards the end of the decade.

The oil-rich gulf state of Oman made its largest UK property purchase a year ago when it bought Hines’ 99 Queen Victoria Street office building for £65m. Hines’ then UK chief Philip Lewis is now a director at Heron.

The Heron tower will be funded through the Heron Tower Jersey Property Unit Trust, an offshore limited partnership in which the parties will hold equity stakes.

In Barcelona, Heron City is a three-storey amphitheatre-style scheme comprising 301,390 sq ft (28,000 sq m) of leisure and 64,585 sq ft (6,000 sq m) of factory outlet space. It is on the Meridiana – an arterial road passing through Barcelona.

The scheme is likely to be bought by the new Babcock & Brown GPT European Retail Fund, which launched a €400m (£270m) equity-raising campaign this week (finance, p23). Heron City is anchored by a 16-screen Cinesa Cinema. The annual rental income is €7.5m (£5m). It is thought that the Barcelona deal may be the first of other Heron City sales.
Postscript:

Land Securities is to begin looking for funding this week for its landmark ‘walkie-talkie’ tower development at 20 Fenchurch Street in the City of London. The company has not made a decision as to whether it will go it alone, but BH2 has been appointed to seek interest from possible partners.



http://i1.tinypic.com/nc1ap5.jpg


http://i9.tinypic.com/4g98v9s.jpg


http://i11.tinypic.com/33w60pd.jpg


http://i1.tinypic.com/nc17yx.jpg


http://i11.tinypic.com/48yyi6v.jpg


http://i11.tinypic.com/4d3tbm1.jpg


http://i11.tinypic.com/440muzb.jpg


http://i11.tinypic.com/473rlm9.jpg


http://i7.tinypic.com/2hdnqqt.jpg

[kenc]

Beautiful building, but I always think of brick and stone when I think of London.

[The Chemist]

Won't this be the tallest building in the UK for only a very short time? Isn't the Shard (London Bridge Tower) a go?

[Fabb]

Won't this be the tallest building in the UK for only a very short time? Isn't the Shard (London Bridge Tower) a go?

... and Bishopsgate Tower.

[wjfox2004]

Won't this be the tallest building in the UK for only a very short time? Isn't the Shard (London Bridge Tower) a go?

I think Bishopsgate Tower will probably be topped out before Heron.

Demolition and site preparation will take longer for Heron.

[scribeman]

I'm surprised that London has space for skyscraper, actually. I don't know much about English urban planning, but with these very old cities (that's not invective, for those who have been incapable of making that discernment) I'm always surprised that there was space just sitting around someplace. Especially in London's business sector! I think it was Paris that had to build its skyscrapers outside the city center

[Hoodrat]

Don't worry folks, they're not razing olde London for all these new proposals.

From what I understand, they're tearing down ugly, low rise, mid-century office buildings located in the cities financial core.

[cyboexpo2002]

I'm surprised that London has space for skyscraper, actually. I don't know much about English urban planning, but with these very old cities (that's not invective, for those who have been incapable of making that discernment) I'm always surprised that there was space just sitting around someplace. Especially in London's business sector! I think it was Paris that had to build its skyscrapers outside the city center

That's more because of what's under Paris. Much of Paris's bedrock is the equivalent of Swiss cheese due to the cutting of rock for the buildings above, and also the massive amounts of catacombs under the city. The bedrock simply cannot support such weight in most spots. Also, Paris forbids a lot of types of modern architecture in the core of the city after a modern tower was built among some very classical architecture where it is out of place. They have a special area for such architecture, where the more creative the better.

[Fabb]

The news is a few weeks old, but I think it's worth posting :

Posted by Richard Lander at 11:05 Wednesday 07 March 2007
The City gets its latest tower

The City’s latest tower has taken a giant step nearer to reality.

According to Property Week:

‘Developer Heron International has completed the financing of its £500m Heron Tower office building in the City of London.’

The building, on Bishopsgate, will stand 202m tall, 20m above Tower 42, the City’s current tallest tower – and that’s before the 40m mast in the top.

It should be ready in 2010. The timing of the financing deal, after a week of huge uncertainty on the financial markets, testifies to the boldness of the developers, the appetite to finance their ambitions and the expectations for office demand in the City.

Let’s see how all those stack up three years’ hence.

[NYC2ATX]

That's more because of what's under Paris. Much of Paris's bedrock is the equivalent of Swiss cheese due to the cutting of rock for the buildings above, and also the massive amounts of catacombs under the city. The bedrock simply cannot support such weight in most spots. Also, Paris forbids a lot of types of modern architecture in the core of the city after a modern tower was built among some very classical architecture where it is out of place. They have a special area for such architecture, where the more creative the better.

ahhh the tale of Tour Montparnasse. lolol

a link you guys might like:
http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=tourmontparnasse-paris-france

[JBinCalgary]

great looking project

[WonderlandPark]

The building, on Bishopsgate, will stand 202m tall, 20m above Tower 42, the City’s current tallest tower – and that’s before the 40m mast in the top.

[/I]

So is the above a case of reporter error? Or will the *roof* height of the Heron be higher than the *roof* height of One Canada? The article implies the former.

[enigma99a]

I really like this building. Is 795ft to the top of spire or roof?

[Swede]

So is the above a case of reporter error? Or will the *roof* height of the Heron be higher than the *roof* height of One Canada? The article implies the former.

Look at the diagram in the first post - no. It will be higher than the current tallest in the City: Tower 42. One Canada isn't in the City, it's in Canary Wharf.

[John Hinds]

So is the above a case of reporter error? Or will the *roof* height of the Heron be higher than the *roof* height of One Canada? The article implies the former.

He said tallest in the "City" meaning it'll be the tallest in the City of London area. At least until Bishopsgate Tower is built.

[Alliance]

I'm really liking the exposed stairwell and elevators, but the spire sucks imo.

[WonderlandPark]

Oh, yeah, I always keep thinking of Canary Wharf as in the city, but it is in Greater London, no?

[Swede]

^yepp. Canary Wharf is in Greater London, but not in the City. The City of London is tiny compared to what most people think of as London.

[architect1]

I like it you can see the exo skeleton and its not to fat for its hight. I just love architecture in London.

[wjfox2004]

Skanska has just been awarded the contract to build the Heron Tower... this tower is now 100% certain. :)


---


STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 31, 2007
Regulatory News:

Skanska (STO:SKAB) today has been awarded the contract to
construct Heron Tower in the City of London by the trustees of the
Heron Tower Property Unit Trust. The contract value is around GBP 242
M, about SEK 3.3 billion, which is included in order bookings for the
fourth quarter of 2007.

When complete, Heron Tower will be one of the tallest towers in
the City of London with its 46 storey's rising to a height of over 202
metres. At the top of the building sits an elegant mast giving an
overall height of 242 metres.

The new Heron Tower development is being constructed at 110
Bishopsgate in the City of London and demolition of the existing
buildings is already underway. Skanska has also been involved since
last spring, under a pre-construction services agreement in the design
process which included key components of the tower such as cladding,
structural steel, mechanical and electrical services and lifts along
with strategic logistical planning which will contribute to a
successful delivery of the tower.

The main construction work will start at the beginning of 2008,
with both the sub-structure and super-structure works being carried
out in parallel to achieve an overall shortened build period. The
project is scheduled to be completed in early 2011.

Skanska has combined its skills to offer its client a total
building solution, which incorporates expertise from all of its
operating units: mechanical, electrical, plumbing and IT services,
piling, steel decking, suspended ceilings and engineering resources.

Heron Tower heralds a long series of Skanska projects contributing
to a renewal of the London skyline, such as 30 St Mary Axe, The
Ministry of Defence's Headquarters on Whitehall, Moorhouse and
Palestra.

In addition, the company is currently working on Queen Anne's
Gate, One Kingdom Street and PaddingtonCentral. As earlier reported,
work has begun on a number of new projects during 2007, totaling GBP
332 M, about SEK 4.5 billion. These include Crown Place, Dashwood
House, Gresham Street and The Walbrook.

Skanska UK reported revenues of SEK 12.3 billion in 2006, with
about 5,500 employees. The company is active in building and civil
construction, utilities and building services. Skanska is also a
leader in the British program for private public partnerships, PFI
(Private Finance Initiative).

[FrancoRey]

Ooooooh shindigy! Here comes London's skyscraper boom!

Leadenhall and Heron will be great new additions to The City's original skyline center. Now let's get the others up! (shard, etc) :tup:

[Fabb]

Great news !
The best part is that the construction is supposed to be fast.

[wjfox2004]

Also, this tower had a small height increase a few months back - it's now broken the 800ft barrier and will be 807ft tall. :)

Could a mod please update the thread title?

[wjfox2004]

A recent picture of the site, taken by JohnB on SSC -
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=413356&page=48


http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1193237137

[wjfox2004]

Demolition has almost finished, and it's believed there is a piling rig already on site. This is another one by JohnB -


http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1195830427

[wjfox2004]

Some new renderings.




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/1-19.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/2-12.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/3-14.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/5-6.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/4-8.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/6-5.jpg

[Fabb]

Do I see trees in the atriums ?
I guess Heron Tower is a new attempt to create the ecological skyscraper.

[wjfox2004]

This is now officially u/c -

http://www.skanska.co.uk/skanska/templates/page.asp?id=11235

Bearing pile commencement

The start of the installation of the bearing piles is a milestone, a key activity target, in the programme to construct the Tower. The 17.3.08 was set at the outset as the date when demolition and enabling works - the clearance of obstructions at pile positions and the temporary support of the surrounding streets to allow piling rigs to operate within the site footprint - should be achieved if the end date is to be met.

Cementation Foundations Skanska were able to deploy their rig, cranes and equipment and commence installation of the first pile on the due day.

:cool:



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/city_of_london/heron.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/city_of_london/1-2.jpg

[Surrealplaces]

Some really interesting buildings going up in London.

[wjfox2004]

She rises!!!!!!!!!!!! :banana:



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/heronrising.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/heronrising3.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/heronrising4.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/heronrising5.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/heronrising6.JPG




Photos by chest, of SSC.

[FrancoRey]

:previous: Slob. :slob:

Now if only you fiends could get the Leadenhall, Bishopsgate, and Shard towers to go up. Stupid credit mess.

[george]

I like this tower. It has a clean, international sense about it. A great addition to one of the more bizarre modern skylines of a major, world class city. I've always felt London could do much better in it's choice of modern towers. I love the featured enclosed stairwell as a focal point.

[wjfox2004]

After a pause of several weeks - caused by additional basement/ground level works - this tower has started rising again.

Pics by JohnB of SkyscraperCity:



http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1232371325



http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1232371390

[clubbernut]

Very speedy progress now, popped by at lunchtime and the steel is flying up! :D

[Jibba]

Solid choice for London. The mix of highly-modern skyscrapers against London's sea of classic mid-rises is going to look fantastic with the addition of this tower.

[wjfox2004]

A rendering of my own:


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/6.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Pics by DarJoLe of SSC:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3241980362_1b9eef827a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3241191151_bbf48b661a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3242030420_f7047e7c1e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3241198501_1bb7fe08af_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3096/3242032076_5d19011658_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/3242037524_cefc0ce73c_b.jpg

[wjfox2004]

This seems to be rising by about a floor per week. Couple of photos by fitz44 of skyscrapercity -



http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa278/fit3xl/120109095.jpg


http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa278/fit3xl/120109114.jpg

[scalziand]

Uh, how tall are the cranes? It seems like they're a bit taller than they need to be.:rolleyes:

[Swede]

^Not for long tho. That tower is rising fast. I'm glad the City is seemingly not crashing in the amount of construction going on. Slowing down, yes, but not crashing like I thought it might.

[wjfox2004]

I was in the City today...


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/pano.jpg




From Liverpool Street Station:


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/1.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/2.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/3.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/5.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/6.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/7.jpg




At the junction of Wormwood Street/London Wall:

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/8.jpg




London Wall:

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/9.jpg




The same view in 2011........... :)


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/5.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/11.jpg




Then, suddenly... :dizzy:


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/12.jpg



A bunch of animal rights protestors.

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/13.jpg



http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/14.jpg



Bonus pic of City Point, former headquarters of British Petroleum:

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics270209/15.jpg

[wjfox2004]

A short video I made: http://www.willfox.com/videos/skyscrapers/herontower/2.wmv

[wjfox2004]

Beginning to rise above the surrounding buildings. These are by Rickster2K on SSC -


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/1973/dsc0086g.jpg


http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/3168/dsc0023k.jpg

[samoen313]

Thank you for the extensive coverage of the developments and construction of this and other London skyscrapers, Wjfox. If it weren't for an Atlantic Ocean between most of us and London, you might not have to be the sole updater of this thread. But your thorough contributions are much appreciated from those of us who love the city but don't live there. I suppose we could just click on over to SSC, but whatever. We're lazy. Thanks again!

[wjfox2004]

^ No problem. :)

Here's a couple more pics, from Sunday. These were taken by wawd:




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3379095667_3aca811ebf_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3379086933_3544c837ed_b.jpg

[chex]

very nice pix! its coming along very fast...
i miss the city!

[wjfox2004]

It's tall enough to be a midrise now... yet still barely a quarter of the way up. :)

These pics are by DarJoLe from SSC:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3428231129_584e64a497_b.jpg



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3428232349_ef60bc3e33_b.jpg

[NYC2ATX]

Um, what's with the white steel? Pre-fireproofed...?

[wjfox2004]

Here are some pics by Nihil Dicit of SSC:



http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/12Apr2009017.jpg



Two updates for the price of one... 100 Middlesex and Heron in a single shot:

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/12Apr2009021.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/12Apr2009030.jpg

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv295/nihildicit2/12Apr2009031.jpg

[wjfox2004]

And another pic by Leighroy. The tower u/c on the right is 100 Middlesex Street. You can see Heron to the left of that:


http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb126/sirleighroy/April.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Pics by ghost101 of SSC -



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3462299110_a81037b24b_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3615/3461480633_37560b1939_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/3461482867_893b7bf729_b.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Pic by Bolted, SSC:


http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/2649/image0021y.jpg

[wjfox2004]

I almost got run over by a police van shortly after taking these pics.




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics240409/1.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics240409/2.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics240409/3.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics240409/4.jpg





Underneath the tower -


http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics240409/5.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics240409/6.jpg

[wjfox2004]

And a short video I made -

http://www.willfox.com/videos/skyscrapers/herontower/3.wmv

:cool:

[chex]

great pix! thanx for sharing!
nobody in london complains because the height of the new buildings planned in london and the plane routes?

[wjfox2004]

^ Ha, London must be the Nimby capital of the world. Practically every new skyscraper goes to a public inquiry or gets a redesign/height reduction.

Btw, my video is available on YouTube as well -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmi2_-XL2PQ

[wjfox2004]

Starting to become visible from the river now. :cool: Pics by chest of SSC:



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000112.JPG



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000115.JPG



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000104.JPG

[wjfox2004]

A short promotional video:

http://www.mindseyemedia.tv/index.php?action=work&do_view=1&id=41

[wjfox2004]

Taken a couple of hours ago:-




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics150509/1.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics150509/2.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics150509/4.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics150509/3.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics150509/5.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics150509/6.jpg




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronpics150509/7.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Here's a rendering overlaid on a photo of mine. Gives you an idea of how far it has to go -




http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronprogressmay2009.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Viewed from the Aragon Tower (photo by wawd) -


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3312/3535734760_d285dcb27c_b.jpg

[wjfox2004]

A video from yesterday:

http://www.willfox.com/videos/skyscrapers/herontower/4.wmv

Includes a few other projects too.

[DIABOLICALIBERTY]

Great stuff! Thanks for the updates will!:cheers:

[wjfox2004]

From Danny McL, Flickr:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3531592123_948d76aec1_b.jpg

[Jonovision]

Nice aerial! Whats the building going up with the three cores?

[wjfox2004]

Nice aerial! Whats the building going up with the three cores?

Oh, nothing special. Just a 15-storey office block -

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4964

It's quite sad though, because they originally planned this (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=50) 700-footer. Financial difficulties meant they had to scale it down drastically... :(

[wjfox2004]

Taken by DarJoLe from SSC:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3563856334_63656f3d2a_b.jpg





And one from chest:


http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000506.JPG





And one of my own (excuse the quality - I was on a fast moving train! :) )


http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/skyscrapercitypics/london/heron/heron.jpg

[Jonovision]

Oh, nothing special. Just a 15-storey office block -

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4964

It's quite sad though, because they originally planned this (http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=50) 700-footer. Financial difficulties meant they had to scale it down drastically... :(

That is a shame. But the building still looks quite nice. Looking at the larger plan, I don't know if it would have worked so well in that part of London. It doesn't have that little bit of whimsical that seems to characterize The City's skyscrapers.

[clubbernut]

Cladding has started :yes:

[Zerton]

Um, what's with the white steel? Pre-fireproofed...?

I want to know about this also. If it's just aesthetic, meaning you can see the frame through the glass, wouldn't it be easier to paint assembled?

[americanskyscraper22]

this will accent the london skyline

[THE BIG APPLE]

This tower, Pinnical and the Shard will how everyone says radically alter London's skyline. But great to see London isn't just building, and IS preserving its old history.

[wjfox2004]

By DarJoLe:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3601159793_d0dcb0ddfc_b.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Photo by SE9 of SSC:


http://i43.tinypic.com/2jfbqqf.jpg




And a couple of pics by wawd:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3584/3638836829_692be2fe5c_b.jpg



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3651/3638845793_be06a511cf_b.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Pics by chest.


http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000913.JPG



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000957.JPG



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000897.JPG

[wjfox2004]

From Waterloo Bridge today (my own pic).


http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/skyscrapercitypics/london/heron_waterloobridge_220609.jpg

[wjfox2004]

Another one from chest. This is taken from Whitechapel:



http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/library3.JPG

[americanskyscraper22]

what's the building to the right of Heron?

[wjfox2004]

what's the building to the right of Heron?

100 Middlesex Street. It's a block of student accommodation. Height will be around 110m.

[americanskyscraper22]

100 Middlesex Street. It's a block of student accommodation. Height will be around 110m.

thanks for the info :)

[wjfox2004]

Another one by wawd:


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3666292384_1baac7e99b_b.jpg

[Rico Rommheim]

Can anyone tell me if NIMBYs tried to derail this project? I'm surprised there are so many tall skyscrapers in the city, which seems to me unusual for a european city.

[wjfox2004]

Can anyone tell me if NIMBYs tried to derail this project?

Without exaggeration, NIMBYs have tried to derail practically every tall building project in London. Heron Tower actually went to a public inquiry, which had to be decided on by the Deputy Prime Minister. Luckily he ruled in favour of the developers - but it delayed the project by a year or so.




I'm surprised there are so many tall skyscrapers in the city, which seems to me unusual for a european city.

Actually, there aren't that many. Very few are over 500ft. And they're mostly concentrated in the "City" (main financial district) and Canary Wharf. London has very strict guidelines regarding skyscrapers and where they're allowed to be built.

[wjfox2004]

This has now reached the 100m mark, tall enough to be a 'highrise'.

These pics are by spyin99 who works in the neighbouring 99 Bishopsgate -



http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/7047/img1193d.jpg



http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2746/img1194e.jpg



Working on the weekend:

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6798/img1195l.jpg

[Davis137]

Looks impressive...Last time I was in London was like 7 years ago, and so much has changed since then...

[Northeast79]

Was anyone ever able to answer why the steel is painted white?

I would assume that it's intumescent paint. But that is usually put on after the steel is erected. It would get beat up through the construction process. Plus, the steel columns in the core are not painted.

So I think it's painted for aesthetics. Since the skin is glass and there aren't spandrel panels to cover the structure - the steel is painted. And because they are shop-welding the column-beam connections and bolting at intermediates, shop painting makes sense. - It's usually quicker and cheaper to do in the shop as opposed to the field.

I also noticed openings in the steel. Those must be for moving air.

Anyone associated with the project able to confirm any of this?

[NYC2ATX]

Was anyone ever able to answer why the steel is painted white?

I would assume that it's intumescent paint. But that is usually put on after the steel is erected. It would get beat up through the construction process. Plus, the steel columns in the core are not painted.

So I think it's painted for aesthetics. Since the skin is glass and there aren't spandrel panels to cover the structure - the steel is painted. And because they are shop-welding the column-beam connections and bolting at intermediates, shop painting makes sense. - It's usually quicker and cheaper to do in the shop as opposed to the field.

I also noticed openings in the steel. Those must be for moving air.

Anyone associated with the project able to confirm any of this?

Yes, yes, me and Zerton already asked about this, but noone has answered so far. I actually agree with you, looking at it again. If you look at the renderings, the facade seems so transparent that white steel would make sense in pulling off its "look". I think what sold me, though, is when you pointed out that the interior columns are not white. Thanks!

P.S. repeat - anyone able to actually confirm any of these theories, please let us know! Thanks! :tup:

[wjfox2004]

http://www.willfox.com/images/skyscrapers/heron/construction/heronprogressjuly2009.jpg