The United Kingdom has not been recognized historically for its abundance of skyscrapers. This is because the tallest structures throughout the European country used to be cathedrals, church spires and industrial chimneys.
The reason behind the non-development of skyscrapers was a protective policy, known as ‘St Paul’s Heights’. The policy, which had been in operation since 1937, restricted the development of high-rise buildings at certain sites if they would obstruct views of St Paul’s Cathedral and other historic buildings.
Since the 21st century, however, the UK has witnessed a significant growth in the number of skyscrapers. Currently, there are approximately 155 skyscrapers. A skyscraper is defined as a tall continuously habitable building with multiple floors or else a building with at least 100 meters in height.
In this article, we look at the top 10 tallest. The list comprises topped-out and completed buildings. Note that, only architectural height is considered. Masts and other elements added after the completion of the building are not considered. That said, let’s get into it.
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The Shard in Southwark, London | 309.6 meters
Also referred to as the Shard London Bridge and formerly known as London Bridge Tower, The Shard is currently the tallest building in the UK. The pyramid-shaped mixed-use development skyscraper is 72-storey and 309.6 meters/1,016 feet tall.
Renzo Piano an Italian architect that won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1998, designed The Shard. Construction began in March 2009 and the building was topped out on 30 March 2012. The Shard was inaugurated on 5 July 2012 while practical completion was achieved in November 2012.
Sellar Property Group developed the tallest building in the UK on behalf of LBQ Services Limited. The latter is jointly owned by Sellar Property with a stake of 5% and the State of Qatar with a 95% share.
2. 22 Bishopsgate in Bishopsgate, London | 278 meters
The 62 storeys 22 Bishopsgate or rather Twentytwo is the second tallest building in the UK with a height of 278 meters (912 feet).
22 Bishopsgate is a replacement to The Pinnacle, 288 meters (945 feet) tower the construction of which started in 2008 and was suspended in 2012 following the Great Recession. Plans for the development of The Pinnacle project were dropped with only the concrete core of the first seven storeys poured. The concrete core was completely demolished by December 2015.
Construction of a new building, “22 Bishopsgate” commenced in January 2016 and was completed four years later in 2020. The new building was developed by Axa Real Estate and designed by PLP Architecture.
3. One Canada Square in Canary Wharf, London | 235 meters
The third tallest building in the United Kingdom is One Canada Square at 235 meters (770 feet). The 50-storey building is primarily used for offices, though there are some retail units on the lower ground floor.
Olympia & York developed One Canada Square while César Pelli & Associates, Adamson Associates, and Frederick Gibberd Coombes & Partners designed it. Construction works began in 1988 and were completed in 1991.
Upon completion, the building became the tallest in the UK and held the title for 21 years until 2012 when the construction of The Shard was completed.
4. Landmark Pinnacle in Marsh Wall on the Isle of Dogs, London | 233 meters
The 233-metre (764 feet) Landmark Pinnacle is the fourth tallest building in the UK, overall. However, the 75-storey building is the tallest residential tower not only in the country but also in western Europe.
Moreover, the building has more habitable floors than any other building in Western Europe. The Landmark Pinnacle Tower also boasts the United Kingdom’s first-ever residential tropical terrarium gardens and the highest tropical residential gardens in the United Kingdom.
In 2016, the construction of Landmark Pinnacle began with Chalegrove Properties Limited as the developer. The development, formerly known as City Pride, the same name as the public house it replaced was completed in 2020.
Square and Partners designed the fourth tallest buildings in the UK.
5. Salesforce Tower in London | 230 meters
Salesforce Tower which is also known as 110 Bishopsgate is the second tallest building in the City of London financial district and fifth tallest building in the UK with a height of 230 meters (755 feet). Formerly, and still commonly known as, Heron Tower, the 46-storey building is mainly used for commercial purposes.
The building was developed and designed by Heron International and Kohn Pedersen Fox respectively. Its construction began in 2007 and was completed in 2011.
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