The Leadenhall Building is the centrepiece of architecture showcase Open House London which takes place this weekend. The City of London skyscraper will throw open its doors during the annual event designed to give the general public access to many of London’s finest buildings.
The Leadenhall Building, which is on target to be almost fully let by next year, was designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners for British Land and Oxford Properties.
It’s distinctive wedge shape, which has earned the building the affectionate nickname The Cheesegrater, is a result of City planning regulations designed to protect views of St Paul’s Cathedral.
At 736 ft (224m) high, it is the City of London’s tallest building but its presence is not as obtrusive as many of the towers which have appeared over recent years, igniting the debate about the capital’s rapidly changing skyline.
Open House held its first open doors day in 1992 and has grown year by year to become a highly anticipated date on the London visitor calendar.
Last year’s highlight was Battersea Power Station, resulting in long queues as thousands of eager sightseers took the opportunity to take a last look inside the riverside landmark before its £8 billion redevelopment began.
Speaking about this year’s event, which showcases over 800 buildings, Victoria Thornton, founding director of Open City, said; “Tall buildings always capture the public’s imagination, and so we are thrilled to have the Leadenhall Building, the newest addition to London’s skyline, as part of Open House 2014.
A joint statement from British Land and Oxford Properties states that the developers are “immensely proud” of the Leadenhall Building.
“Which is why,” it continues, “having unveiled the building to the real estate industry, we are throwing it open to members of the public for the first time at this year’s Open House.
The statement adds that the developers are looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors and telling them the story behind the building.
The Leadenhall Building will be open to the public between 10am-5pm on Saturday and between 10am-4pm on Sunday. Queues are expected and visitors are advised to arrive early.
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