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Walkie Talkie gets go-ahead

Leading architects were last night celebrating the government’s decision to finally approve London’s Walkie Talkie skyscraper to be built at 20 Fenchurch St.

Confirming the decision, Land Securities said Londoners will now get a 360 degree panorama of the City once the property giant has developed space to erect the 509ft tower.

However the yet-to-be-built building has already proved controversial: in March a public inquiry was launched into its suitability for the City, after outrage from conservationists.

Led by English Heritage, they warned that the 39-storey tower would become London’s “ugliest and most oppressive building,” with a disastrous consequences for the surrounding areas.

They claimed that its proposed location - just right of the city’s Eastern Cluster - threatens London’s streets, conservation areas and historic environments, such as the Tower of London and St Paul’s.

Although their protest prompted the government to call in the plans, leading modernist architects, including Frank Gehry, countered their claims, saying the 77,000 sq metre scheme will prove an asset to London’s skyline.

The tower, designed by architect Rafael Viñoly, will also act as a beacon to attract financial groups to the Square Mile, the City of London Corporation has reportedly said.

“We are delighted that the Secretary of State has approved 20 Fenchurch Street,” Mike Hussey, Managing Director of the Land Securities London Portfolio, said in a statement yesterday.

“The design…one of the world’s most innovative and acclaimed architects, is exceptional. We anticipate strong interest from occupiers and we will be preparing the site for development now that we have consent.”

Jul 12, 2007
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