Walkie-Talkie skyscraper seeks joint partner

The curiously dubbed Walkie-Talkie skyscraper development, currently parented by Land Securities, is in search of a joint venture partner to oversee construction.

According to reports, Tony Gibbon’s BH2 has been drafted in to provide help in finding a co-partner for the capital city build. The site for the tower is situated at 20 Fenchurch Street and Land Securities Group PLC, the biggest real estate investment trust in the UK, are currently preparing to begin construction.

The 155 metre skyscraper received approval in July 2007 from Communities Secretary Hazel Blears after a lengthy wrangle with campaigners to get planning permission. UNESCO argued that the proposed build would have a detrimental effect on the city’s historical skyline, particularly the Tower of London.

Esteemed Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly, also in charge of the extensive Battersea Power Station regeneration, has drafted innovative designs for the new construction. The unusual form of the building is top heavy, appearing to burst from the ground and expand into the sky.

It was originally drawn up to house 45 storeys of office space, but has been reduced gradually to 38 and it now stands at 36. The crowning feature is a sky garden which will be open to the public to offer an impressive 360 panorama of the city of London.

In terms of amenities provision the Walkie Talkie tower will be served by a retail area, restaurants and cafés. Costing over £200 million to build, the premium grade offices will occupy a central city location in close proximity to the London underground service at Monument and overground rail at Fenchurch Street station.

Formerly the land was home to the 20 Fenchurch Street offices which were opened in 1968 and finally demolished in 2008. This was yet another Land Securities build, standing at a modest 25 storeys and occupied by Dresdner Kleinwort.

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