Heron Tower

Heron Tower stands 230 metres tall in the City of London’s financial district. It is the second tallest building in the City and the fifth tallest in Greater London. The tower is bordered by Bishopsgate, Camomile Street, Outwich Street and Houndsditch. Construction began in 2007 and finished in 2011. It is owned by Heron International and is also known informally as Salesforce Tower. The project faced early controversy over its height near St Paul’s Cathedral. The building uses photovoltaic cells to generate renewable energy. It achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ in 2010. A 70,000-litre aquarium with 1,200 fish is the largest privately owned example in the UK. The tower was refinanced by Starwood Capital Group in 2013 to avoid receivership. Tenants include law firms, investment companies and the software firm Salesforce.com. Visitors find a concierge-style entrance with the aquarium. The Drift bar-restaurant occupies the ground and first floors. Sushi Samba and Duck & Waffle serve food on floors 38–40. The restaurant and bar have terraces 175 metres above the City. The tower forms part of the Heron Plaza development with public squares and gardens nearby.