20 Fenchurch Street#Solar glare problem

Previously owned by the Land Securities Group, the company posted a £95m loss in 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/11/15/walkie-talkie-owner-land-securities-posts-95m-loss-as-demand-for/|title='Walkie Talkie' owner Land Securities posts £95m loss as demand for property slips|last=Curry|first=Rhiannon|date=15 November 2016|work=The Telegraph|access-date=29 October 2018|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}} In July 2017, the Hong Kong food company Lee Kum Kee Groups agreed to purchase the building from Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group for £1.3 billion.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jul/27/londons-walkie-talkie-building-sold-for-record-breaking-13bn |title=London's Walkie Talkie building sold for record-breaking £1.3bn |last=Butler |first=Sarah |newspaper=The Guardian |date=27 July 2017 |access-date=28 July 2017}} Savills Management Resources hold the contract to carry out all management of 20 Fenchurch Street.

File:20 Fenchurch Street retouched.jpg]]

The previous building at 20 Fenchurch Street was {{convert|91|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall with 25 storeys and was built in 1968 by Land Securities. The architect was William H. Rogers.{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4753303.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523133616/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article4753303.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=23 May 2010 | title=William Rogers: architect of groundbreaking office towers |website=Times Online| publisher=Times Newspapers, Ltd | date=September 2008 | access-date=16 September 2008 | last=Times Online | location=London}}

The building was formerly occupied by Dresdner Kleinwort and was notable for being one of the first tall buildings in the City of London, and for its distinctive roof. It was one of the towers nearest to the River Thames when viewed from the southern end of London Bridge.

In 2007, one of the upper floors was used in the drama series Party Animals.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Demolition of the building was completed in 2008. Despite the top-down method of construction, it was not demolished from the bottom-up, as a temporary structure was built, allowing Keltbray, the demolition contractor, to demolish the building from the top down.{{Citation|last=skyscrapercityvideos|title=20 Fenchurch Street – City of London|date=31 May 2008|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JDZ37CWVW4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/2JDZ37CWVW4 |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2018}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.building.co.uk/focus/20-fenchurch-street-demolition-mission/3114039.article|title=20 Fenchurch Street: Demolition mission|work=Building|access-date=25 July 2018|language=en}}

The new tower at 20 Fenchurch Street was designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly.{{cite web|url=https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/rafael-vinolys-20-fenchurch-street-aka-the-walkie-talkie-wins-the-2015-carbuncle-cup_o|title=Rafael Viñoly's 20 Fenchurch Street, a.k.a. the Walkie Talkie, Wins the 2015 Carbuncle Cup|date=2 February 2015|publisher=Architect Magazine|access-date=16 June 2019}}

The 'sky garden' at the top of the building was claimed by the developer to be London's highest public park, but since opening there have been debates about whether it can be described as a 'park', and whether it is truly 'public' given the access restrictions.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/walkie-talkie-park-opens-to-public-amid-row-over-public-access-9972741.html|title=Walkie Talkie park opens amid row over public access|author=Lizzie Edmonds and Jonathan Prynn|date=12 January 2015|work=London Evening Standard}} The garden spans the top three floors, which are accessible by two express lifts and include a large viewing area, terrace, bar and two restaurants. Fourteen double-deck lifts (seven low-rise up to the 20th floor, seven high-rise above the 20th floor) serve the main office floors of the building.

The south side of the structure is ventilated externally to improve efficiency and decrease solar gain, whilst the east and west faces incorporate extensive solar shading. There is a southern entrance in addition to the main northern entrance set back from Fenchurch Street.

In January 2009, Canary Wharf Contractors began piling on the site of 20 Fenchurch Street. Piling and ground works were completed in June 2009.{{cite web|last=Klettner |first=Andrea |url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/uk/construction-to-start-immediately-on-vi%C3%B1olys-walkie-talkie/5007523.article |title=Construction to start immediately on Viñoly's Walkie-Talkie |website=bdonline.co.uk |publisher=Building Design |date=19 October 2010 |access-date=3 September 2013}}

In January 2011, work at the basement level of the tower began.{{cite web|url=http://londonist.com/2011/01/construction-of-walkie-talkie-tower-begins.php |title=Construction of Walkie-Talkie Tower Begins |work=Londonist |date=19 January 2011 |access-date=3 September 2013}} By the end of October 2011, the building was rising above street-level. December 2011 saw the tower's core begin to rise.{{Cite web|title=Tower's core|url=http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6289438745_57da31881a_b.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325010933/http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6108/6289438745_57da31881a_b.jpg|archive-date=2014-03-25|website=farm7.static.flickr.com}}{{Cite web|title=Tower's core #2|url=https://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6315754111_50ce6d10e3_b.jpg|url-status=live|website=farm7.static.flickr.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325010410/http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6315754111_50ce6d10e3_b.jpg |archive-date=25 March 2014 }} The concrete core was topped out in March 2012 and by July the structural steelwork was under way around the core. Structural steelwork topped out in December 2012.{{Cite news|last=Wainwright |first=Oliver |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2012/dec/12/walkie-talkie-fenchurch-street-architecture |title=The Walkie-Talkie: battle of the bulge on Fenchurch Street |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 December 2012 |access-date=3 September 2013}}

Fire protection was applied to the structural steelwork in December 2012, completing in March 2013. Cementitious spray was applied to the steelwork, which was supplied directly to the entire building using a purpose-built mixing and pumping station located on the ground floor.{{cite web |url=http://www.sharpfibre.com/blog/9/sharpfibre-walks-the-talk-and-delivers-on-time |title=Sharpfibre Walks The Talk And Delivers on Time |website=Sharpfibre |date=27 February 2013 |access-date=3 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325010833/http://www.sharpfibre.com/blog/9/sharpfibre-walks-the-talk-and-delivers-on-time |archive-date=25 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}

The building completed to shell and floor in April 2014 and the first tenants began moving into the building from May 2014 prior to final completion in August of that year.{{Cite web|url=https://landsec.com/|title=Home | Landsec|website=landsec.com}}

The building won the Carbuncle Cup in 2015, awarded by Building Design magazine to the worst new building in the UK during the previous year.{{cite news|last1=Lane|first1=Thomas|title=Carbuncle Cup 2015 winner announced|url=http://www.bdonline.co.uk/news/carbuncle-cup-2015-winner-announced/5077354.article|access-date=2 September 2015|work=Building Design|date=2 September 2015}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34116610 |title=London's Walkie Talkie judged UK's worst building |newspaper=BBC News |date=2 September 2015 |access-date=2 September 2015}} The chairman of the jury that decided the prize, Thomas Lane, said "it is a challenge finding anyone who has something positive to say about this building", whilst a town planner at the nearby Royal Town Planning Institute described the building as "a daily reminder never to let such a planning disaster ever happen again." Earlier in 2013, during a public inquiry, Paul Finch of the Design Council CABE said he regretted supporting the project, saying that the developers "made a mess of it" and were architects of their own misfortune.{{Cite news|url=https://www.archdaily.com/573271/the-9-most-controversial-buildings-of-all-time|title=The 9 Most Controversial Buildings of All Time|date=29 November 2014|work=ArchDaily|access-date=31 October 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/finch-regrets-supporting-violys-dumbed-down-walkie-talkie-tower/8656595.article|title=Finch 'regrets' supporting Viñoly's 'dumbed-down' Walkie Talkie tower|work=Architects Journal|access-date=31 October 2018|language=en}}

During the building's construction, it was discovered that for a period of up to two hours each day if the sun shines directly onto the building, it acts as a concave mirror and focuses light onto the streets to the south.{{Cite news|title = Walkie Talkie City skyscraper renamed Walkie Scorchie after beam of light melts Jaguar car parked beneath it|date = 2 September 2013|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/walkie-talkie-city-skyscraper-renamed-walkie-scorchie-after-beam-of-light-melts-jaguar-car-parked-beneath-it-8794970.html|last = Sherwin|first = Adam|newspaper = The Independent}} Spot temperature readings at street-level including up to {{convert|91|C|F}}{{Cite news|title=Who, what, why: How does a skyscraper melt a car?|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23944679|work=BBC|access-date=4 September 2013|date=3 September 2013}} and {{convert|117|C|F}} were observed{{cite web|url=http://www.mississauga.com/news-story/4067822-london-s-fryscaper-draws-crowd-on-hottest-day/ |title=London's 'fryscaper' draws crowd on hottest day |website=Mississauga.com |access-date=8 September 2013|date=6 September 2013 }} during summer 2013, when the reflection of a beam of light up to six times brighter than direct sunlight shining onto the streets beneath damaged parked vehicles,{{cite news|last1=Smith-Spark|first1=Laura|title=Reflected light from London skyscraper melts car|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/03/world/europe/uk-london-building-melts-car/index.html|access-date=10 February 2018|work=CNN|date=3 September 2013}} including one on Eastcheap whose owner was paid £946 by the developers for repairs to melted bodywork. Temperatures in direct line with the reflection became so intense that City A.M. reporter Jim Waterson used the intense heat to fry an egg in a frying pan set down on the pavement.{{cite web |last1=Spence |first1=Peter |title=Eggsclusive: We use the Walkie Scorchie light beam to fry an egg |url=https://www.cityam.com/eggsclusive-we-use-walkie-talkie-melt-car-fenchurch-street-scorchie-light-beam-fry-egg/ |website=City A.M.}} The reflection also burned or scorched the doormat of a shop in the affected area. The media responded by dubbing the building the "Walkie-Scorchie"{{Cite news|title = Walkie Talkie building scorches Londoners|date = 28 August 2013|first1 = Kasmira|first2 = James|last1 = Jefford|last2 = Waterson|url = http://www.cityam.com/article/1377649632/walkie-scorchie|newspaper = CITY A.M.|access-date = 2 September 2013|archive-date = 31 August 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130831100928/http://www.cityam.com/article/1377649632/walkie-scorchie|url-status = dead}}{{Cite news|title = Exclusive: Walkie Scorchie melted my Jag|date = 2 September 2013|url = http://www.cityam.com/article/1378091289/exclusive-walkie-scorchie-melted-my-jag|first = James|last = Waterson|newspaper = CITY A.M.|access-date = 2 September 2013|archive-date = 4 September 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130904162625/http://www.cityam.com/article/1378091289/exclusive-walkie-scorchie-melted-my-jag|url-status = dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/504342/20130906/walkie-scorchie-talkie-building-sunlight-london-reflects.htm |title=London Walkie-Scorchie Skyscraper Cost-Cutting Blamed for Car-Melting, Egg-Frying Reflected Sunbeams |work=International Business Times |date=1 January 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013}} and "Fryscraper".{{Cite news|last=Marsden |first=Sam |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10280619/Glare-from-Walkie-Talkie-skyscraper-damaged-vehicles.html |title=Glare from Walkie-Talkie skyscraper 'damaged vehicles' |work=The Telegraph |date=2 September 2013 |access-date=3 September 2013}}{{cite web|last=Spillane |first=Chris |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-05/london-s-walkie-talkie-fryscraper-draws-crowds-in-heat.html |title=London's Walkie-Talkie 'Fryscraper' Draws Crowds in Heat |work=Bloomberg |date=4 September 2013 |access-date=8 September 2013}}

In September 2013, the developers stated that the City of London Corporation had approved plans to erect temporary screening on the streets to prevent similar incidents, and that they were also "evaluating longer-term solutions to ensure the issue cannot recur in future".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-23948811 |title=Walkie-Talkie skyscraper to have screen put up to stop rays |newspaper=BBC News |date=3 September 2013 |access-date=3 September 2013}} In 2014, a permanent awning was installed on the south side of the higher floors of the tower.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/walkie-talkie-skyscraper-to-be-fitted-with-permanent-sunshade-after-it-melted-cars-9379037.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/walkie-talkie-skyscraper-to-be-fitted-with-permanent-sunshade-after-it-melted-cars-9379037.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|title=Walkie Talkie skyscraper to be fitted with permanent sunshade after it|author=Antonia Molloy|date=15 May 2014|work=The Independent}}{{cbignore}}

The building's architect, Rafael Viñoly, also designed the Vdara hotel in Las Vegas which has a similar sunlight reflection problem that some employees called the "Vdara death ray".{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna39403349|title='Death ray' at Vegas hotel pool heats up guests |work=NBC News|date=30 September 2010}} The glass has since been covered with a non-reflective film.{{cite news|last=Wainwright|first=Oliver|title=Walkie Talkie architect 'didn't realise it was going to be so hot'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/sep/06/walkie-talkie-architect-predicted-reflection-sun-rays|newspaper=The Guardian|date=6 September 2013|access-date=25 September 2013}}

In an interview with The Guardian, Viñoly said that horizontal louvre windows on the south side that had been intended to prevent this problem were removed at some point during the planning process. While he conceded that there had been "a lot of mistakes" with the building, he agreed with the building's developers that the sun was too high in the sky on that particular day. "[I] didn't realise it was going to be so hot", he said, suggesting that global warming was at fault. "When I first came to London years ago, it wasn't like this ... Now you have all these sunny days."

In 2014, a brise soleil was installed to diffuse the reflections.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-27425560 |title=Sunshade for Walkie-Talkie skyscraper glare problem |work=BBC |date=15 May 2014 |access-date=2 January 2023}}

File:The_Sky_Garden.jpg

File:The Walkie Talkie Sky Garden.jpg

File:cmglee_London_20_Fenchurch_Street_sunset.jpg

The Sky Garden, which was described as a large, free, public viewing space at the top of the building, was part of the justification for the planners allowing such a vast office block to be built on the edge of a conservation area. Computer visualisations shown to the planners included a glade of full-height trees, but the garden as constructed has a slope with ferns and succulents instead.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2015/jan/06/londons-sky-garden-walkie-talkie-the-more-you-pay-the-worse-the-view |title=London's Sky Garden: the more you pay, the worse the view |newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 January 2015 |author=Oliver Wainwright}}

Free access to the public is provided in 60-minute slots, until 18:00 on weekdays or 21:00 on weekends & Bank Holidays, after which the garden is available only to paying customers of the catering facilities.

The Garden has been criticised for these restrictions, and for its extent and quality failing to meet pre-construction expectations. Oliver Wainwright, architecture critic of The Guardian, described it as "a meagre pair of rockeries, in a space designed with all the finesse of a departure lounge".

The City of London Corporation's former chief planner, Peter Rees, who approved the structure, said: "I think calling it a sky garden is perhaps misleading. If people [are] expecting to visit it as an alternative to Kew, then they will be disappointed."{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30709757|title=Walkie Talkie skyscraper's public garden opens amid criticism|newspaper=BBC News|date=8 January 2015|last1=Dangerfield|first1=Andy}} In July 2015 it was reported that planners are to consider a landscape architect's alterations to the layout, following claims it is not consistent with illustrations submitted with the original planning application. The 'sky garden' was a key feature in sealing approval for the building, which is situated outside the main cluster of skyscrapers in the City.{{cite web|url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/more-woes-for-walkie-talkie-sky-garden-not-built-to-plans/8686839.article|title=More woes for Walkie Talkie – Sky Garden not built to plans|work=Architects Journal}}

In July 2015, the building was criticised for having an unexpected impact on wind strength at street-level. The City of London Corporation received an increased number of complaints about draughts around 20 Fenchurch Street following its completion.{{cite news|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/592998/London-s-Walkie-Talkie-wind-tunnel-workers-City-skyscraper-chaos|title=London's new Walkie Talkie skyscraper boom causes wind tunnel chaos for City Workers|author=Oli Smith|work=Daily Express|date=22 July 2015}} The Corporation's head of design, Gwyn Richards, said: "The wind outcome at street level experienced post-construction on a number of projects differs somewhat to the conditions we were expecting from the one outlined in the planning application wind assessments."{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/11754924/Walkie-Talkie-skyscraper-blamed-for-creating-wind-tunnel-on-the-street.html|title=Walkie Talkie skyscraper blamed for creating wind tunnel on the street|date=22 July 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|last1=Ward|first1=Victoria}}

In June 2012 the insurer Markel Corporation signed a tenancy agreement with the developers to move into 20 Fenchurch Street upon its completion. Markel, previously based on Leadenhall Street, was the first confirmed tenant of the new tower and occupies the 25th to 27th floors.{{cite web |url=http://www.journalism.co.uk/press-releases/markel-moves-to-walkie-talkie-in-2014/s66/a549726/ |title=Markel moves to Walkie Talkie in 2014 |website=Journalism.co.uk |date=29 June 2012 |access-date=3 September 2013 |archive-date=26 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226111742/http://www.journalism.co.uk/press-releases/markel-moves-to-walkie-talkie-in-2014/s66/a549726/ |url-status=dead }}

Another insurance company, Kiln Group, announced in September 2012 that it had agreed to become the building's second tenant{{cite web|last=Buckley |first=James |url=http://www.costar.co.uk/en/assets/news/2012/September/LandSecCanary-confirm-Kiln-letting-at-Walkie-Talkie/ |title=LandSec/Canary confirm Kiln letting at Walkie Talkie |website=CoStar UK |date=14 September 2012 |access-date=3 September 2013}} and Ascot Underwriting followed in November 2012.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/constructionandproperty/9749648/Insurer-Amlin-rents-space-in-the-Cheesegrater.html |title=Insurer Amlin rents space in the Cheesegrater |work=The Telegraph |date=17 December 2012 |access-date=3 September 2013}} Other insurance companies that have taken space in the building include RSA Group, Tokio Marine, CNA Financial, Allied World, Liberty Mutual's European operations, and Harry Townsend Corp.{{cite web |url=http://www.colliers.com/en-GB/UK/insights/~/media/Files/EMEA/UK/research/offices/201301-city-monthly-market-monitor.ashx |title=Research & Forecast Report |publisher=Colliers International |access-date=3 September 2013 |archive-date=7 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107205758/http://www.colliers.com/en-GB/UK/insights/~/media/Files/EMEA/UK/research/offices/201301-city-monthly-market-monitor.ashx |url-status=dead }}

As of 2017, the ground floor is let for retail and the office space is fully let.

CGI Inc the IT/business services group are a tenant. {{Cite web |title=CGI Inc Offices |url=https://www.cgi.com/en/offices}}

File:20-fenchurch-march31.jpg|20 Fenchurch Street site, March 2012

File:20 Fenchurch Street under construction (2013) - panoramio.jpg|20 Fenchurch Street site, January 2013

File:London MMB Z1 20 Fenchurch Street.jpg|20 Fenchurch Street site, May 2013

File:London MMB «X4 City.jpg|20 Fenchurch Street site, October 2013

File:20 Fenchurch street, January 2014.jpg|20 Fenchurch Street site, January 2014

• City of London landmarks
• 30 Fenchurch Street, a neighbouring office building
• St Margaret Pattens, a neighbouring 17th-century church
• Archimedes' heat ray

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://20fenchurchstreet.london Official website]
• [https://skygarden.london Sky Garden website]

{{Land Securities}}

{{UKSkyscrapers |P/UC}}

Category:Skyscrapers in the City of London

Category:Rafael Viñoly buildings

Category:2014 establishments in England

Category:Office buildings completed in 2014

Category:Skyscraper office buildings in London