One Undershaft

Nix · 8 Dec 2015 at 03:12

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35026103

Plans for the City of London's tallest tower, One Undershaft, have been unveiled.

Just a fraction shorter than the Shard, the 73-storey tower could be the second highest column in the capital.

At 309.6m, the skyscraper will be 80m taller than the nearby Cheesegrater, which stands at 224m, and will dwarf the 180m-high Gherkin.

It will have a public square at its base, a free public viewing gallery and a sky-high restaurant, architects said.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_Undershaft

Can't say I'm a fan. Does anyone ever get a final say on these developments?

Side note: I walked past the Walkie talkie building last week a few times and it actually looks pretty nice in the dark when it's all lit up.

Also, undershaft. Lol.

Nix · 8 Dec 2015 at 03:32

I actually think the Shard looks quite nice and has character. The Gherkin isn't traditional, but certainly iconic now; it's grown on me.

I think out of the buildings in that area, the two I really dislike are the Lloyds building and the Cheese-grater.

One Undershaft just looks boring and uninspired.

Nix · 8 Dec 2015 at 10:20

Ubershaft?

Nix · 8 Dec 2015 at 10:37

Ryan-3 said:
Apart from the name, I don't see how a square block is a penis?

It's basically a massive erection.

Nix · 8 Dec 2015 at 11:00

dowie said:
really? I think the Lloyds one is fantastic - much older than the others yet still looks very modern.

It looks like a nightmare from a Pink Floyd video. I just don't like it.

I agree on your points about the Gherkin though.

Nix · 8 Dec 2015 at 11:33

Nismo said:
"City of London's tallest tower"

"the 73-storey tower could be the second highest column in the capital"

Am I missing something?

The Shard is higher but it's not technically in the City (suburb) as it's in Southwalk across the water.

Nix · 8 Dec 2015 at 11:42

Nismo said:
Ah right, did wonder if "City" was referring to a specific part.

Yeah, have a read of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_London

The City is a city within the city of London. It's actually got it's own police force. Whereas the London Metropolitan have jurisdiction over the rest of London, the City of London is served by City of London police.

Seems to be an historical anarchism more than anything really.

The City also effectively dies as soon as the weekend roles around, it's quite bizarre.