Heron Tower

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This article or section contains information about expected future buildings or structures.
It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change as the building approaches completion.

The future skyline of London, the Heron Tower can be seen as the tall structure with the spire furthest to the left

Heron Tower, also known as 110 Bishopsgate, is a skyscraper planned for the centre of London's main financial district, the City of London.

Its height was first planned to be 183 m, identical to that of the City's current tallest building, Tower 42. It will have a spire on its roof taking the overall height to 222 m.

The building attracted controversy when first announced, due to its proximity to St Paul's Cathedral when viewed from Waterloo Bridge. English Heritage were the most vocal of the groups expressing concerns. A public inquiry was subsequently held, the outcome of which was decided by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who ruled in the developers' favour. The tower was given final approval in July 2002.

Four years on, the tower has yet to begin construction. Heron International, the company behind the tower, have stated that they intend to start work on the project in 2007. However, many people are sceptical as to whether the tower will even be built at all.

In September 2005 the Heron Property Corporation submitted a planning application to increase the height of its approved Heron Tower. Heron's revised plans, drawn up by architect KPF, now propose a 203-metre tall tower topped by a 40-metre mast. Although the design is largely identical to the previous scheme, the tower's crown and southern facades have been refined to give the building a more elegant profile. In January 2006, the revised Heron Tower was approved. The changes included a height increase, to 203 m (242 m to mast), and four extra floors.

In February 2006, a construction journal reported that Heron International were likely to award the contract for their £500m tower within a few weeks, with Skanska favourite as contractor, and that work was expected to start shortly afterwards.

As of May 2006, preparatory works involving the relaying of pipes and wires underneath the current building have begun. This process will take over one year to complete. Demolition of the current building on the site of the Heron Tower will begin in late 2007 and end in 2008, and construction will begin in November 2008.

As of July 31 2006, there was further speculation that the tower might receive another height increase.