Hasta La Ideas

Work has restarted on the Leadenhall Building in London by architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners.

Construction was halted in August 2008 due to financial difficulties experienced by developers British Land. However a new deal agreed with Oxford Properties means work on site has recommenced.

Located in London’s Square Mile, the base of the 47-storey glass tower will measure almost half an acre with the form tapering towards the top, resulting in different sized floor plans at each level.

The diagonal structural bracing will be visible through the building’s façade from the interior and exterior.

Glass lifts on the side of the building will go right up to the tip of the structure.

The building will comprise offices, retail spaces and restaurants, with the base of the tower forming a six storey public space.

Construction is due for completion in 2014.

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The following information is from the architects:

CITY OF LONDON’S LATEST LANDMARK DEVELOPMENT UNDERWAY

Construction has recommenced on what is set to become one of the most iconic buildings in London’s Square Mile, British Land and Oxford Properties’ The Leadenhall Building.

Following an announcement in late December 2010 on the completion of a joint venture partnership between British Land and Oxford Properties for the 610,000 sq ft development, photos revealed today show the scheme’s contractors back on site and pressing ahead with piling works (the laying of structural support for the building).

Located at 122 Leadenhall, the tapering 47 storey, 736 ft (224m) tower was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners and is due for practical completion in mid 2014. Combining flexible office space with retail and dining facilities, the development features a spectacularly landscaped, seven-storey open space at the base of the building, which covers nearly half an acre and is of a scale unprecedented in London.

The development’s tapering shape delivers floor plates of varying size, ranging from 21,000sq ft on the lower floors to 6,000sq ft at the top of the tower, all with spectacular views over the capital.

Great care has been taken to ensure the design of the building complements the surrounding architecture, particularly with regard to London’s viewing corridors. Seen from the west looking towards St Paul’s Cathedral, The Leadenhall Building will appear to ‘lean away’ from the historic monument.

Nigel Webb, Head of Developments at British Land, said: “Since completing the joint venture partnership with Oxford Properties late last year, we have moved quickly to return to site and forge ahead with the construction of this iconic new London building. The Leadenhall Building is already generating strong interest from a broad range of occupiers in the insurance, financial, professional and corporate business sectors and will complete at a time when we believe strong demand and supply constraints will coincide.”

Richard Pilkington, Development Director, Oxford Properties added: “Our plan was always to move quickly in the New Year and it’s great to see major construction activity on the site again, giving confidence to the occupier market that The Leadenhall Building will be delivered by mid 2014.”

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