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Photo: Artist's impression of 20 Fenchurch Street
Photo: Artist's impression of 20 Fenchurch Street Photo: Artist's impression of 20 Fenchurch Street Photo: Artist's impression of 20 Fenchurch Street's sky garden
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20 Fenchurch Street / The Walkie Talkie

20 Fenchurch Street

London

EC3P 3DP


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W: www.20fenchurchstreet.co.uk


Visitor Information

Architect: Rafael Viñoly
Built: expected 2014
Size: 64,000m² / 155 metres high
Developer: Land Securities

Much like the Gherkin, this unusual design has challenged established boundaries and caused division over whether it is appropriate. English Heritage is reported to have labelled the scheme "oppressive and overwhelming". However, time will tell – the Gherkin is now one of London’s most popular sights. The 36-floor ‘walkie talkie’ as it has been dubbed because of the way it bursts into the sky, expanding in width as it gets higher, features two sky gardens, one of which will be London’s highest public park with botanical gardens and a 360 degree panorama. The top-heavy building is said to have been designed partly to cash in on the higher rents commanded by top floors.

The tower is clad with double and triple glazed panelised aluminium. The interior floor-to-ceiling height is 2.75 metres and the development has been rated ‘very good’ by BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). Outside the south entrance there will be a park with a café. Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly’s other British projects include the Curve theatre in Leicester and appointment as master-planner for the anticipated development of Battersea Power Station.