The looming financial crisis and gradual decline in demand for city property may have claimed a victim: the controversial Walkie Talkie tower on Fenchurch street could be delayed until the commercial property market slump has passed.
While demolition of the existing 1960s block is due to be completed early next year, the developer, Land Securities, has stated that they will wait to secure a tenant before construction begins on what is arguably the least popular of London's glut of new Square Mile skyscrapers.
Designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly, the tower earned its sobriquet due to the bulbous shape of its upper floors, which are set to house a garden overlooking the Thames. The project was the subject of a fierce wrangle between the developer and English Heritage last year over its "attention seeking" profile, although approval was eventually granted.
Call us conspiracy theorists, but is it mere coincidence that news of a proposed delay comes mere weeks after Boris Johnson - who has in the past expressed dismay at London's evolving skyline, and vowed to protect sightlines toward St. Paul's cathedral - replaced skyscraper junkie Ken at City Hall?
Image courtesy of nicolasnova's Flickrstream via the Creative Commons Attribution license
