The Leadenhall Tower, a Richard Rogers-designed skyscraper better known as the Cheesegrater because of its tapering form, looks set to go ahead after a cash injection from a Canadian pension fund, which has signed a joint venture deal with British Land, who own the site.
The project has been stalled since 2008 due to unfavourable economic conditions, and the land was even mooted as the location of a city farm, but construction will now begin this January, and the 47-storey tower should open in 2014. When complete it will be the second-tallest building in the City, after the Bishopsgate Tower, which is scheduled to open a year ahead in 2013.
The news comes less than a week after an announcement that construction of the Walkie-Talkie tower would begin. In addition, the Heron Tower has topped out in advance of opening early next year, while the Shard is rapidly assuming a commanding presence on the skyline, and the aforementioned Bishopsgate tower (aka the Helter-Skelter) is also starting to rise from the ground.
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