London's changing skyline - the WalkieTalkie

FROM Wikipedia -

20 Fenchurch Street is a skyscraper under construction on Fenchurch Street in London. It has been nicknamed the Walkie-Talkie and the Pint because of its bulbous top.[1] Upon completion in summer 2014 the building will be 160 m (525 ft) tall, with 36 storeys.

Costing over £200 million, it is designed by architect Rafael Viñoly and will feature a highly distinctive, top-heavy form which appears to burst upward and outward. A large viewing deck and 'sky gardens' will be included on the top floor; these will be open to the public.

The tower was originally proposed at nearly 200 metres tall, but was scaled down after concerns about its impact on the nearby St Paul's Cathedral and Tower of London. It was subsequently approved in November 2006. Even after the height reduction there were continued concerns from heritage groups about its impact on the surrounding area. The project was subsequently the subject of a public inquiry. In July 2007, this ruled in the developers' favour, and the building was granted full planning permission.[2]

In their preliminary results for 2007, developer Land Securities said 20 Fenchurch Street would be completed in 2011, however in 2009 this date was pushed back to 2014.[3][4]

It is one of a number of new tall buildings for the City of London area, others include the Heron Tower, The Pinnacle and the Leadenhall Building. Two insurance companies, Markel Corporation and Kiln Group, have signed tenancy agreements with the developers of 20 Fenchurch Street.