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Willis Building (London)
Encyclopedia
The Willis Building at 51 Lime Street
, is a large office tower in London
's main financial district, the City of London
.
Designed by architect Norman Foster
and developed by British Land
, it stands opposite the Lloyd's building
and is 125 metres (410 ft) tall, with 26 storeys. The building features a "stepped" design, which was intended to resemble the shell of a crustacean, with setbacks rising at 97 m (318 ft) and 68 m (223 ft) respectively. In total, there are 475000 square feet (44,128.9 m²) of office floorspace, most of which was pre-let to the Willis Group
, a risk management company and insurance intermediary.
Constructed between 2004 and 2008 under the management of Mace, it was a significant addition to the London skyline, becoming the fourth tallest building in the City after Tower 42
, 30 St Mary Axe
and CityPoint
. The core was topped out in July 2006 and the steelwork was finished in September 2006. Cladding began in July 2006 and the building was externally completed by June 2007. It was internally fitted out and officially opened in April 2008.
51 Lime Street is the first in a wave of new towers planned for the area. These others include the Bishopsgate Tower
, 122 Leadenhall Street
, Heron Tower
, 100 Bishopsgate
, 20 Fenchurch Street
, Broadgate Tower
and the Shard of Glass.
Lime Street, London
Lime Street is a street in the City of London between Fenchurch Street to the south and Leadenhall Street to the north.The northern portion of the street is pedestrianised...
, is a large office tower in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's main financial district, the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
.
Designed by architect Norman Foster
Norman Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank
Norman Robert Foster, Baron Foster of Thames Bank, OM is a British architect whose company maintains an international design practice, Foster + Partners....
and developed by British Land
British Land
The British Land Company plc is one of the largest property development and investment companies in the United Kingdom. The firm switched to Real Estate Investment Trust status when REITs were introduced in the United Kingdom in January 2007. It is headquartered in London...
, it stands opposite the Lloyd's building
Lloyd's building
The Lloyd's building is the home of the insurance institution Lloyd's of London, and is located at 1, Lime Street, in the City of London, England.-Design:...
and is 125 metres (410 ft) tall, with 26 storeys. The building features a "stepped" design, which was intended to resemble the shell of a crustacean, with setbacks rising at 97 m (318 ft) and 68 m (223 ft) respectively. In total, there are 475000 square feet (44,128.9 m²) of office floorspace, most of which was pre-let to the Willis Group
Willis Group Holdings
Willis Group Holdings is a global insurance broker headquartered in the Willis Building, London, United Kingdom. It has more than 400 offices in 120 countries, and approximately 17,000 employees...
, a risk management company and insurance intermediary.
Constructed between 2004 and 2008 under the management of Mace, it was a significant addition to the London skyline, becoming the fourth tallest building in the City after Tower 42
Tower 42
Tower 42 is the second tallest skyscraper in the City of London and the fifth tallest in London overall. The original name was the National Westminster Tower, having been built to house the National Westminster Bank's International Division. Seen from above, the tower closely resembles the NatWest...
, 30 St Mary Axe
30 St Mary Axe
30 St Mary Axe, the Swiss Re Building , is a skyscraper in London's main financial district, the City of London, completed in December 2003 and opened at the end of May 2004...
and CityPoint
CityPoint
CityPoint is a skyscraper on Ropemaker Street on the northern fringe of the City of London.-Design and construction:...
. The core was topped out in July 2006 and the steelwork was finished in September 2006. Cladding began in July 2006 and the building was externally completed by June 2007. It was internally fitted out and officially opened in April 2008.
51 Lime Street is the first in a wave of new towers planned for the area. These others include the Bishopsgate Tower
Bishopsgate Tower
The Pinnacle, also known as The Bishopsgate Tower and The Helter-Skelter, is a , 63-storey skyscraper under construction in the centre of London's main financial district, the City of London. It is one of four major towers under construction in London, others being Shard London Bridge, 122...
, 122 Leadenhall Street
122 Leadenhall Street
122 Leadenhall Street is an address on Leadenhall Street in the City of London where a 225 metre tall skyscraper designed by Richard Rogers and frequently referred to as "the Cheese Grater" is currently under construction. The site is adjacent to the Lloyd's building, also designed by Rogers...
, Heron Tower
Heron Tower
Heron Tower, also referred to as 110 Bishopsgate, is a skyscraper owned by Heron International in the City of London. It was completed in 2011...
, 100 Bishopsgate
100 Bishopsgate
100 Bishopsgate is a skyscraper under construction in the north eastern part of London's main financial district, the City of London. It will stand in a prominent location on Bishopsgate, just a short walk from Liverpool Street station...
, 20 Fenchurch Street
20 Fenchurch Street
20 Fenchurch Street is a 160 metre , 36-storey skyscraper currently under construction in the City of London. It has been nicknamed the Walkie Talkie. Costing over £200m, it is designed by the Uruguayan born architect Rafael Viñoly and will feature a highly distinctive, top-heavy form which...
, Broadgate Tower
Broadgate Tower
The Broadgate Tower is a skyscraper in London's main financial district, the City of London. It was constructed from 2005 to 2009 and is currently the fourth tallest building in the City of London....
and the Shard of Glass.
See also
- Tall buildings and structures in London
- Tower 42Tower 42Tower 42 is the second tallest skyscraper in the City of London and the fifth tallest in London overall. The original name was the National Westminster Tower, having been built to house the National Westminster Bank's International Division. Seen from above, the tower closely resembles the NatWest...
- 30 St Mary Axe30 St Mary Axe30 St Mary Axe, the Swiss Re Building , is a skyscraper in London's main financial district, the City of London, completed in December 2003 and opened at the end of May 2004...
- The City of London
- Willis Tower