Mayor Boris Johnson hailed another landmark on the London skyline at a ceremony to mark the topping-out of the Leadenhall Building this week. The striking 47 storey office tower, popularly known as the Cheesegrater, has been under construction since 2011 and is due to be completed in 2014.
In addition to the impact the building makes on the skyline, it also conforms to Prince Charles’ maxim that a building with its head in the clouds should also have its feet firmly on the ground.
At street level the Leadenhall Building provides half an acre of public space incorporating lawns, seating, trees and retail units. There is also a managed events space creating a vibrant and welcoming environment as well as great views of the facing Lloyds Building.
Mr Johnson said; “The Leadenhall Building is the latest landmark to grace London’s iconic skyline, demonstrating our city’s ability to design and construct world-class architecture.
“This ambitious project has created jobs in London and elsewhere across the UK supporting great British manufacturing all over the country.
“The building’s soaring pinnacle symbolises the confidence in London’s status as a global centre of finance and trade.”
The Leadenhall Building is over 50 per cent pre-let a year ahead of completion following commitments from underwriter Amlin and insurance company Aon which is relocating its head office from Chicago.
Speaking on behalf of joint-developer British Land, chief executive Chris Grigg said the decision to go ahead with the project in 2011 was a “bold call” given the global financial crisis and the fragile state of the property market at the time.
What gave the company the confidence to proceed, he said, was the belief that they had a world class design and construction team, a strong partner in Oxford Properties and excellent tenants in Amlin and Aon.
Blake Hutcheson, President and CEO of Oxford Properties, thanked British Land and praised the “can do” attitude of London. “This building is a great example of what collaboration and partnership can achieve,” he said.
