122 Leadenhall Street

The Leadenhall Building stands in the City of London, a 225-metre skyscraper completed in 2014. Its wedge shape earned it the nickname ‘Cheesegrater’. The design was created by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. It sits next to the Lloyd’s Building, also by Richard Rogers. The site once held a 1960s office block designed by Gollins Melvin Ward. Construction paused after the 2008 financial crisis and restarted in 2010. The tower’s steel ‘Megaframe’ is the world’s tallest of its kind. The tapered glass façade reveals steel bracings and a ladder frame. A 30-metre-high atrium at its base opens to the public. The flat side encases elevator shafts with bright orange counterweights on show. The slanted design was chosen to protect views of St Paul’s Cathedral from Fleet Street. Inside, the building houses offices for major tenants such as Aon and Amlin. The construction process featured a documentary by PBS. Problems arose with defective bolts, later replaced at a cost of £6 million. The tower’s unusual shape and exposed structure make it a striking addition to the London skyline.