Leadenhall Building

Leadenhall Building. Often referred to as "The Cheesegrater" for its distinctive wedge-shaped profile, this skyscraper is a prominent feature of the London skyline. Located at 122 Leadenhall Street in the historic City of London, it stands as one of the tallest buildings in the United Kingdom. Completed in 2014, it serves as a major commercial hub, housing offices for leading firms in the insurance and financial services sectors.

History

The site has a long commercial history, previously occupied by a building owned by the Commercial Union Assurance Company, which was damaged by an Irish Republican Army bomb in 1992 and later demolished. The current development was spearheaded by a joint venture between developers British Land and Oxford Properties. The project gained crucial planning permission from the City of London Corporation in 2004, with design evolution carefully managed to address concerns about protected views of St Paul's Cathedral from key vantage points like Fleet Street and King's College. Its construction marked a significant phase in the ongoing transformation of the City of London's architectural character, following other towers like 30 St Mary Axe.

Architecture and design

Designed by the renowned firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the building's most striking feature is its sloping, tapering glass façade. This dramatic form was not merely aesthetic but a direct response to planning regulations protecting the sightlines to the dome of St Paul's Cathedral from Parliament Hill. The structural system, engineered by Arup Group, is expressed externally, with a braced steel diagrid and mega-columns clearly visible, a hallmark of High-tech architecture. The core is shifted to the north side, creating vast, column-free office floors. The building is crowned by a three-story "winter garden" at its peak, offering panoramic views across landmarks like the Tower of London and the River Thames.

Construction

The main construction contract was awarded to Laing O'Rourke, beginning in 2007. The project utilized innovative off-site manufacturing techniques, with prefabricated modules for the façade and restrooms produced elsewhere and assembled on-site, improving efficiency and safety. A notable engineering feat was the "top-down" construction sequence, where the basement levels were excavated concurrently with the erection of the superstructure. The primary structural steelwork was completed by 2012, with the distinctive cladding installed thereafter. The building officially opened in July 2014, following a meticulous fit-out for its anchor tenant.

Tenants and usage

The building is predominantly office space, with the global insurance giant Aon plc serving as the anchor tenant, occupying approximately half of the lettable area. Other significant occupants include specialist insurers AmTrust and MS Amlin, along with financial services firm Markel. The ground floor features retail units, while the upper floors offer premium office accommodation with high sustainability credentials, targeting a BREEAM "Excellent" rating. Its location places it at the heart of the London insurance market, near the historic Lloyd's of London building and the London Underwriting Centre.

Cultural impact

Affectionately nicknamed "The Cheesegrater" by the public and media, its distinctive shape has made it an instantly recognizable part of the modern London skyline, often featured alongside 20 Fenchurch Street and The Shard in photographs and film. It has received critical acclaim, winning the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2014. The building frequently appears in television and film, including establishing shots for the BBC and in movies like *Spectre*. It stands as a symbol of contemporary London's architectural ambition and its status as a global financial capital.

Category:Skyscrapers in London Category:Buildings and structures in the City of London Category:Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners buildings and structures