London's Skyscraper Boom Trickles Off

A number of large skyscrapers in London, approved and financed before the recession, are being completed. But with no new ones planned, these skyscrapers are looked at as the end of an age of large-scale building.

1 minute read

April 21, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"While skyscrapers with nicknames such as the Shard, the Cheesegrater and the Walkie Talkie are joining the 40-story Gherkin as part of the British capital's skyline, those buildings reflect past rather than present considerations. All of the office towers that are due to open in London by 2014 were conceived before the financial crisis and developers are increasingly adopting cheaper, less ambitious plans.

Commercial Estates Group Ltd., a privately held developer, last month said it will review a plan to build a 63-story property adjacent to Canary Wharf. Hammerson Plc (HMSO), a real estate investment trust that owns seven London office buildings, in January abandoned its design for a 32-story tower and block in the City in favor of a 15-floor office complex."

Real estate watchers in London are predicting a much smaller and more reserved era of building in the coming years.

Thursday, April 21, 2011 in Bloomberg

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

MARTA train tracks run in the middle of a six lane highway with an overpass and the Buckhead city skyline of skyscrapers in the background.

How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?

Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.

September 29, 2024 - Marcelo Remond

Aerial view of Rancho Mirage, California with homes in foreground and snowy San Gabriel Mountains in background.

First Model Homes Revealed in Disney-Built Community

Disney’s Cotino, in the Southern California desert, is the first of the company’s ‘Storybook Living’ developments.

October 2, 2024 - Newsweek

Abandoned concrete subway station and tunnel in downtown Cincinnati..

Cincinnati Seeks to Repurpose Its Unused Subway Tunnel

City officials are looking for proposals to use Cincinnati's long-abandoned subway tunnels, but not for transit; they already tried that.

October 7, 2024 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Pedestrians and cyclists in busy city crosswalk with blurred motion

20 Safest and Most Dangerous US Cities for Pedestrians

Pedestrian safety is a vital component to a walkable city. Which large cities in the United States have a leg up, and which are trailing behind?

9 seconds ago - Kuru Footwear

Close-up of lead water pipe with mineral crusts

President Sets New Deadline for Replacing Lead Pipes

U.S. cities are charged with replacing dangerous lead pipes and improving drinking water quality within the next 13 years.

October 9 - Associated Press

Large 400-year old oak tree in Stevenson Ranch, California.

400-Year-Old Oak Tree Designated as Historic Landmark

The tree’s landmark status celebrates its deep-rooted history and symbolizes the community's dedication to preserving local ecological treasures.

October 9 - Hoodline

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.