Yes. You're all correct. It is Beekman in Lower Manhattan near City Hall.

Anyway, back to the brilliant Heron!:cheers:

It is a skyscraper for London.

Nope,a skyscraper by world standards (+150 metres)

That's a ridiculous statement. This is one of the best buildings rising in London at the moment. Compare it with some of the best rising in NY, Shanghai, etc., and it's hardly better.

Can't you just appreciate it for what it is: a beautiful building but hardly tall by world standards.
I didn't say it was the best:ohno: And i do appreciate it,thanks,and i never claimed it was amongst the tallest either.End of,i hope

Can we please get back to something constructive (literally), the last few pages have just turned into junk - first downfallen and then the spire/height.

I think another 6 floors to go in height,not 8.Have to say,the only part im not keen on is the top few floors,with the cross beam feature.I'd much rather glass there.Otherwise,i think the cladding and structure works very well,and is interesting as well as pleasent to look at.

I give you all good advice : shut the f... up !!!
most of the buildings in NY are around this height (200m).. if you add another 20m,30m in height it doesn't make any big difference by naked eye..
look at canary wharf (biggest three) ..is there any big difference between 1CS (235m), 8CS (200m) and 25 CS (200m)?? NO ! so shut your ass smelly mouth up. :lol::nocrook:

What a low life. You sound like the Underground conductor who verbally assaulted the old man last month.

Anyway, back to this great tower in the world's top city.

These were taken last Tuesday

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/4144035327_1c10ef8d4a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/4144801186_953e290f7e_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4144808390_f08391d803_b.jpg

What is the building on the riverfront with the crane on it and the barge in front. Is is waste removal?

What is the building on the riverfront with the crane on it and the barge in front. Is is waste removal?

That would be Walbrook Wharf. Heres the wiki for it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walbrook_Wharf

These were taken last Tuesday


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4144808390_f08391d803_b.jpg

Great photo.

Once the Pinnacle is finished there will be several skyscrapers in this area of London.

Once the Pinnacle is finished there will be several skyscrapers in this area of London.

No shit Sherlock. Thanks for pointing it out to us lol ;)

Once the Pinnacle is finished there will be several skyscrapers in this area of London.

In other shock news - apparently the pope's a catholic!:lol:

Once the Pinnacle is finished there will be several skyscrapers in this area of London.

You have a knack for stateing the bleeding obvious :lol:

Once Heron Tower is complete there will be an additional skyscraper in the City of London. That's what I heard anyway :dunno:

Then again on this thread it is indeed a matter of debate.

But if Moscow was Asian then it would be counted as 2 separate structures and if it had a spire someone in Paris would redraw the boundaries or something

today:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5300/1010960.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8646/1010962.jpg

today:

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5300/1010960.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8646/1010962.jpg

This was taken outside the Design Museum right? I work there, and get to enjoy the view of the city skyline from the 2nd floor, and of course have had the pleasure of seeing the Heron grow over the months. :)

You have a knack for stateing the bleeding obvious :lol:

Bless his cottons!!

I shall ignore the sly digs. :lol:

The Bank Of England area is a skyscraper district but it is no New York. :ohno:

In before the :storm: !
lol I propose a pre-argument truce on the London vs. New York debate, as well as an apology on behalf of all the would-be participants for going off-topic.

Now, let's carry on with Heron Tower ;)

A Heron is a type of bird.

Are braincells in short supply at the moment?

WOW!!!

Can you see the Heron Tower from the London Eye? I'm going on in a couple of weeks.

Yeah. It can be seen from nearly everywhere in London.

Yeah. It can be seen from nearly everywhere in London.

Given its height it would be. :banana::banana::lol:

The Bank Of England area is a skyscraper district but it is no New York. :ohno:

People want London to be London,not anyfocking where else:bash::)

MB5000,you can see a little building at 20 miles distance,from London eye:):nuts:

I shall ignore the sly digs. :lol:

The Bank Of England area is a skyscraper district but it is no New York. :ohno:

Actually it's a financial district and skyscrapers are a part of it

I shall ignore the sly digs. :lol:

The Bank Of England area is a skyscraper district but it is no New York. :ohno:

Are you for real?

This was taken outside the Design Museum right? I work there, and get to enjoy the view of the city skyline from the 2nd floor, and of course have had the pleasure of seeing the Heron grow over the months. :)

Heh, I'm round the corner on Curlew Street :)

The Bank Of England area is a skyscraper district but it is no New York. :ohno:

And New York is no Shanghai

http://www.corbisimages.com/images/42-22270060.jpg?size=67&uid=1760BB0D-28BF-4548-91D3-8698BD691B24

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2423305848_d7e311f463_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3188872395_1f4ac7e2d5_b.jpg

Nooo thanks.
A reminder of where we are:

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn361/trex65million/200908101317451.jpg
September from the river.HT has risen quite a few floors since then.

And that is the beauty of our capital as seen from the aerial overview of Shanghai, we can build a world dominating city that can stand the test of time with an abundance of green spaces.

we can build a world dominating city

:shocked: "world class" might be a better aspiration...

...world dominating...

http://insubordinant.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/pinky_brain.jpg

And that is the beauty of our capital as seen from the aerial overview of Shanghai, we can build a world dominating city that can stand the test of time with an abundance of green spaces.

Fact of the day and nothing to do with the Heron tower: London is still officially classed as a forest, look it up.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/3188872395_1f4ac7e2d5_b.jpg

What's happened to the 02 and the Olympic Park?

^^ wow .such a great high-rise city .

^^ wow .Its really sad to see such a great high-rise city with so much pollution and crap in the air it's gone orange. looks like a post apocalyptic hell hole.

Or it could just be a late afternoon shot with the white balance on the warm side. I could make London look like that quite easily.

I wouldn't draw any firm conclusion from one photograph.

^^ wow .such a great high-rise city .

Its an urban nightmare!

Seeing as its now the Shanghai thread,it's quite hideously over built.No green space,little character.A few cool skyscrapers though.

After years of living there, i can confirm as a fact that the difference between London and Shanghai is that in London, where people live is completely seperated from the CBD. In Shanghai everyone lives anywhere and everywhere which is why there skycrapers... abseloubtly everywhere. Its also the reason why Shanghai is abseloubtly buzzing at Night whereas London city, Canary Wharf etc are pretty much dead at nightime. There are also less planning permissions and procedures etc as the government doesn't really care- so anything proposed and looks good will just... get built. Being a communist government aswell, the public, and sometimes companies have abseloubtly no say in if their houses/ buildings will be knocked down for something better. So for example, places like 100Bishopsgate would just get built of it helps the economy, and the company who owns the current lease just have to piss off weather they like it or not LOL.

The only bad thing about this is that in Shanghai you don't really recognise skyscrapers. In London you can really stop and respect what your looking at as they stick out and aren't just another boring object like they are in Shanghai. For example, Heron is recognised from a long way off. Same as Shard. This is because they are not blocked by other random skyscrapers what are nothing architectualy special anyway (Excluding Pudong).

Yeah. It can be seen from nearly everywhere in London.

Really? According to the Google Earth render of the Heron Tower, many views of it will be blocked by either Tower 42 (from the Eye) or the Gherkin (from Tower Bridge).

Its an urban nightmare!

lol, i was just about to write the exact same words! It's beautiful if you think of it in terms of human achievement and ambition, but i'd take the charm of London's skyline over Shanghai anyday! :)

Really? According to the Google Earth render of the Heron Tower, many views of it will be blocked by either Tower 42 (from the Eye) or the Gherkin (from Tower Bridge).

Should look around with the Pinnacle put in.

Heres the best model

http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=b4784b7ad5c9cf6de724fc90297634ab&prevstart=0

Its a shame they haven't removed 20 Fenchurch St and 122 Leadenhall St.

Here is the shard as well http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=26e0879b04b4d470f8b758b99bd30e5b&ct=mdrm&prevstart=0

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/20407/shard%20view.png

Pic from the hills of South London taken a few weeks ago. No the best quality but gives an idea of how this is looking from the South

http://i45.tinypic.com/2njkdpz.jpg

surely i would just google shanghai if that's what i was interested in?

New York, Shanghai? Tell you what let throw in Galactic City from Star Wars for a real fantasy nightmare :ohno:
I love London for its diligence and subtle lines, ok its a bit of a mess here and there but places like Shanghi are soulless high rise cityscapes with no funk. You gotta have funk...

Pic from the hills of South London taken a few weeks ago. No the best quality but gives an idea of how this is looking from the South

http://i45.tinypic.com/2njkdpz.jpg

Thats from Crystal Palace right? When the Pinnicle & Shard appear this spot will stretch out east-west nicely. You also get a slight tapering West with the barbican towers. Might have to move back and get a flat on Gypsy Hill :)

Yep Its one of the best views of London IMO. If/when LBT, 3 houses, Northgate & Bishopsgate Goodyards are ever built there will be an almost wall of tall buildings stretching from Guys to 100MS.

I'll be sitting outside the Royal Albert taking in that thought for real come 2012, best view with a beer :cheers: Probably not the best pub though...

Are you for real?

God I hate that phrase. :ohno::ohno:

What do you think?

I noticed a bit of extra steel has appeared on the top floor today. I'll see if I can get a photo later.

As it looked a little over an hour ago (before the heavens opened!)

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/86989-2/20091202_0003.jpg

A 100% crop to see the detail

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/86980-2/20091202_0003-2.jpg

I made a trip over the river after taking this, so I'll post some more pics later.

Thanks for posting an update pic Rob,esp after all this NY/Shanghai stuff! It's getting ever higher,question is: is it now the highest scraper in the city? Near to it.

As promised, a few more views


Houndsditch

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87002-2/20091202_0047.jpg


Bishopsgate

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87008-2/20091202_0056.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87014-2/20091202_0063.jpg


Elevation from Houndsditch

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/86996-2/20091202_0044.jpg


Top of the Tower from Bevis Marks

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87032-2/20091202_0015.jpg


Bishopsgate hoardings

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87020-2/20091202_0092.jpg



Houndsditch hoardings/alley facing one of the buildings that may disappear for Heron Plaza

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87026-2/20091202_0094.jpg

We're doing well for photos today and the only reason I add more is because it's from a different angle.

My first photo post woop!


http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx324/stuey36/HeronTowerDec1st09050.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx324/stuey36/HeronTowerDec1st09038.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx324/stuey36/HeronTowerDec1st09044.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx324/stuey36/HeronTowerDec1st09041.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx324/stuey36/HeronTowerDec1st09048.jpg

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx324/stuey36/HeronTowerDec1st09086.jpg

it seems they have slowed down a lot since the main structure has been completed, you would imagine that it would have speeded up as there is less steel for each floor.

Fab first photo post, golddex

Cheers for the great photos everyone! Wish I had the time and money to pay this a visit soon. As bandy was saying, yes it has slown down, would it be due to having to lift the steel up further? Although having said that it wouldnt just 'suddenly' slow down. Perhaps they are concentrating on some cladding, pluss noticed alot more lights within it now.

Judging from the latest images and comparing with render,Heron has passed T42.165 metres to the top edge of this side (cross beamed),with 5 floors above that on the other side (=20 metres),185 metres.Milestone

@Cybertect
I like the Newyorky feel to your latest batch of Heron tower pics.
And for the first time, I appreciate construction pics (Shard thread) thanks to you!
Thanks for sharing. You're gifted.

beautiful light Golddex - thought I'd add the Shard from this view to one of your pics - the skyline is going to look very 'industrial futuristic' from this angle - kind of blade runner ish
http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/shardandheron.jpg

thanks for all the updates everyone, and i hope you don't mind golddex but i thought i'd use one of your pics to try and figure out where we are:

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9849/herontowerdec1st09044.jpg

if i've judged that top bit right i make it about five more floors now before spire.

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/shardandheron.jpg

Very, very nice! :) This entire page has been full of great photos, keep up the good work fellas!

Just watching them welding on one of the top levels. The 3 floors (it and the 2 above and below) have no light coming from them except for the flashes from the welder. I'm all the way up on City Road and can see this no probs. :)

Judging from the latest images and comparing with render,Heron has passed T42.165 metres to the top edge of this side (cross beamed),with 5 floors above that on the other side (=20 metres),185 metres.Milestone

Nope. It's still 177.5m.

if i've judged that top bit right i make it about five more floors now before spire.

Yep,thats what i calculated

Nope. It's still 177.5m.

If Noostairs and myself are correct,5 floors x 4.1 metres=20.5,minus 202.5 metres=182 metres.Very close then

I found these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16139855@N07/4155519924
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16139855@N07/4115317294

If Noostairs and myself are correct,5 floors x 4.1 metres=20.5,minus 202.5 metres=182 metres.Very close then

You are right in saying there are 5 floors to go, but there is an extra 'bit' on top of the 47th floor (maybe plant or that staircase thing). So you can't work it out from the roof height and work backwards....

They have started the 42nd floor. 42 x 4.128 = 173.38m PLUS another 4.128m because the lobby is double height = 177.5m

When they start the 43rd floor it will overtake the Gherkin

When they start the 44th floor it will overtake T42

Don't know anyone is interested, but the Heron Tower, and 100MS is in the background on one of the rooftop scenes in spooks.

Heres the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00p1ny3/b00p4p86

Skip to 45 minutes for it.

Apparently the spire for this is currently being fabricated, and will be erected in two parts, with a connection hidden on the inside to connect the two halves together.

Originally, the plan was to jack the spire up in one piece from the building, but this has changed now.

Currently the engineers are working out a way of getting the light which will be at the top of the spire down the middle so that the bulbs can be changed.

Currently the engineers are working out a way of getting the light which will be at the top of the spire down the middle so that the bulbs can be changed.

I'm pretty sure JML sell a device for changing bulbs in high and inaccesible places.

I'm pretty sure JML sell a device for changing bulbs in high and inaccesible places.

just dangle a guy from a helicopter

Apparently the spire for this is currently being fabricated, and will be erected in two parts, with a connection hidden on the inside to connect the two halves together.

Originally, the plan was to jack the spire up in one piece from the building, but this has changed now.

Currently the engineers are working out a way of getting the light which will be at the top of the spire down the middle so that the bulbs can be changed.

Not being "funny" but...where did you get this information from?

I'm pretty sure JML sell a device for changing bulbs in high and inaccesible places.

hahahha:lol:

http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx324/stuey36/HeronTowerDec1st09038.jpg

[

This has got to be the best angle of Heron. It looks fantastic from here and it's not even finished yet. I love the whole moody effect with the grey sky and the sun trying to break through.

Don't want to drag this up again but how can anyone say this isn't tall from this angle. It looks a monster in this shot.

Just do it the same way everyone else does it, however way that may be.

Not being "funny" but...where did you get this information from?

From a consulting engineer in contact with the company involved. I can't say exactly who because i didnt ask their permission to go blurting out what i was told on the internet. Though i doubt any of it is particulaurly sensitive, probably what i was told about 122 ledenhall was most sensitive.

From a consulting engineer in contact with the company involved. I can't say exactly who because i didnt ask their permission to go blurting out what i was told on the internet. Though i doubt any of it is particulaurly sensitive, probably what i was told about 122 ledenhall was most sensitive.

Dont do that to us!!

Managed to snap this on the train to work this morning.


http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/skyscrapercitypics/skyscrapers/heron/13.jpg

Im not sure if this has been mentioned but does anyone know why half way up the tower they have stoped putting in the grey steel and concrete blast panels around the stair well? Im sure once they have cladded up to that point they wil have to continue to put the blast panels in, seems odd that they were putting them in as they went but have now stopped.

hope you don't mind will but it's time for one of my dodgy efforts. the step up's a bit shaky but the height shouldn't be a million miles off if i've judged my reference point correctly:

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/3626/59867101.jpg

love to know which weekend (presumably a weekend) they plan to install the spire, and how they're going to do it... half us lot will probably end up being down there.

Well as long as it's going up. Summer 2007 seems like a llifetime away tho. :(

Interesting enough to see the way we've gone from planning permissions through 2007 and the current developments.

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1040130.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1040144.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1040150.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1040158.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1040169.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1040194.JPG

OUTSTANDING. :applause: thanks chest.

Wow....that first shot.

And I've NEVER seen the Thames look that blue.......more like an ocean shot than a tidal river.

Nice pictures Chest, thats some big zoom
what is it? 300.. 400?

and I agree the Thames does look blue haha, I still wouldnt go in it though:lol:

Wow, those are some awesome shots there Chest! This building is pretty badass.

I still wouldnt go in it though:lol:

Its actually a very clean river these days,plenty of marine life in it, compared to 30yrs ago its a swimming pool.

But yeah, id only go in it...if i was pushed...:)

Beautiful chest! You never cease to amaze, you have a trade mark look in your shots i dont know what it is but if you took your name off your shots i sre most people would know its you! Just out of interest, what camera are you using?

hope you don't mind will but it's time for one of my dodgy efforts. the step up's a bit shaky but the height shouldn't be a million miles off if i've judged my reference point correctly:

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/3626/59867101.jpg

love to know which weekend (presumably a weekend) they plan to install the spire, and how they're going to do it... half us lot will probably end up being down there.

Nice job there. Illustrates well that despite more than 90% of the building's mass being completed already the most exciting (and the main design shaping) part is yet to come

And I agree - watching that spire being installed would be quite awsome, just afraid still none of us would camp outside the whole weekend to see that..

Beautiful chest! You never cease to amaze, you have a trade mark look in your shots i dont know what it is but if you took your name off your shots i sre most people would know its you! Just out of interest, what camera are you using?

I just use a cheap digital camera - panasonic lumix fz28 - its got a massive zoom on it though - up to about 31x - not sure what that would be on a real zoom lense - its also a wide(ish) angle lense as well.

hope you don't mind will but it's time for one of my dodgy efforts. the step up's a bit shaky but the height shouldn't be a million miles off if i've judged my reference point correctly:

I think the spire height will reach right to that tip of the crane.....hmmm

I just use a cheap digital camera - panasonic lumix fz28 - its got a massive zoom on it though - up to about 31x - not sure what that would be on a real zoom lense - its also a wide(ish) angle lense as well.

Thats a fantastic camera for the price, the glass lens parts are by leica, the pictures are so clear. You really get everything out of that camera though chest!

I just use a cheap digital camera - panasonic lumix fz28 - its got a massive zoom on it though - up to about 31x - not sure what that would be on a real zoom lense - its also a wide(ish) angle lense as well.

just done some research and the 31x zoom is around 900mm equivalent! Thats huge!
Anyway Heron...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBugB7MX0C4

Check out this great vid of jay and gav being winched up above Heron, "having it large". Their words not mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBugB7MX0C4

Check out this great vid of jay and gav being winched up above Heron, "having it large". Their words not mine.

OMG!! What a fabulous video! Though I have to admit, it did give me a touch of the old vertigo :nuts: Thanks for posting Hakk.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBugB7MX0C4

Check out this great vid of jay and gav being winched up above Heron, "having it large". Their words not mine.

That is just great! Good to see a workers view.
So that was when they were finishing off the last step of the main stucture.
"Better go back down as the top knobs are coming"!! Thats great!

Yeah sounded a bit Danny Dyer.

What a trip thou, not one for those scared of heights. Good to see a view of it U/C from the workers point of view. Just imagine that view from the restaurant/bar when it's completed.

Great vid - that guy knows his stuff too, hehe - "no..it's not higher than Canary Wharf...it's the highest in The City!..Canary Wharf's not in The City" :yes:

Someone was saying this wasn't a skyscraper earlier on in this thread?? looked like one from up there ;)

interesting to note the crane driver said the crane is 156m and the boom 50m so 206m to the top of the boom obviously.

So if you look back through the thread a few pages to the point where heron was finishing the last set back of the main building and have a look at that crane in the photos then thats just a floor over the final floor height of heron. Bleeding massive! Im stating the bleeding obvious aswell arent i?!

Then you got a 44m spire was it?! Just easier if a find a photo than babble on!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/4049848110_a03e6b8eb8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/4049106517_545b6d8909_b.jpg

There you go, take a look at these orgasmic shots. The crane on the north west side is the crane that took the lads up almost at exactly the same time as these photos (i was almost hoping to find a shot with the lads in there little box floating above heron but not quite) as you can tell from the steel work thats being done. The top of that boom (around 206m) shows almost were the top of the building will be! Number 1 tower in the city i would say.

taken yesterday:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4049102749_2fc3530f97_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4049103749_f152176ea6_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/4049104649_4c11b931f4_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/4049851934_1fd623c414_b.jpg

this is better.(sorry, i quoted the wrong pics)

zing! Excellent photos all. How quickly has this become reality! I need to get up Primrose Hill and take a peak from up there.

Wow....that first shot.

And I've NEVER seen the Thames look that blue.......more like an ocean shot than a tidal river.

looks like the chap used a polariser

looks like the chap used a polariser

You'd see a noticeable gradation of tone across the sky with a shot that wide if a polariser had been used.

The colour is mostly reflection of the blue of the sky. Even the Thames will do that :)

Great pics either way. Impressive for a relatively compact camera.

Were they taken from Rotherhithe or on a boat?

Great shots everyone, here she is from Union Street in Southwark

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/4158673253_c9f27a96a0_b.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBugB7MX0C4

Check out this great vid of jay and gav being winched up above Heron, "having it large". Their words not mine.

Utterly awesome vid.

Aye. Fab!

lol....ones an Aussie (or Kiwi?).....they get everywhere...

Utterly awesome vid.

yea ... but felt quite queasy watching it. Not sure I would accept the offer to do that, personally. Bit of a bad dream for anyone not to good with heights :ohno:

I've been following this thread for a while and thought you might be interested in this shot taken last week from the top of one of the hills at Northala Fields by the side of the A40 in west London (about 12 miles distant). I don't think we've seen Heron from quite this angle before and I was surprised by how far away it appears from Tower 42 and the Gherkin.

http://www.wildecat.co.uk/images/northala_city1.JPG

Absolutely stunning shot wildecat and welcome to the forum :). The BT Tower is a real beauty from this angle, and 100ms looks minute!

As a South Londoner, that's quite a fascinating view.

Two things that surprised me are how far out The Barbican lies and how much the Trellick Tower imposes on West London, although it is quite a bit closer.

The lack of perspective at that distance starts to give a measure of how the height of City buildings compares with those at Canary Wharf.

It would be great to get a wider shot, perhaps a pano, of that angle. That would make the SSC banner of the year!

It would be great to get a wider shot, perhaps a pano, of that angle. That would make the SSC banner of the year!

Hmm I disagree, I think the angle and perspective makes it look as if Canary Wharf is almost as close to the Gherkin as the Heron Tower is. If theres gonna be another London SSC banner I think it'd have to be a pano taken from either the North or South, but encompassing all the clusters in the way that their respective distances to one another are accurate and shown well. Maybe even throw in a few historical bits in their too, like Tower Bridge or something.

Just a quick pic from the flat - Looks like the heron is wishing everyone a merry christmas. Yay.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb126/sirleighroy/heron.jpg

The city looks like a jewel box. Each of these photographs is doing 100MS more justice.

Yes, I whilst I was in London today coming back in the evening I noticed the lights on the cranes. I'm sure most people will remember that BL did this when Broadgate was under construction. Add's a nice touch although they could have done all three cranes.

Taken by me today from Camberwell Road, Elephant and Castle. Bit grey I'm afraid but gives a skyline impression from this angle, which is similar to Gazkinz posted earlier.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3064/img0035hl.jpg

We spotted the Christmas cranes walking back from the SSC meet...

http://www.timporter.net/4skyscrapercity/christmasheron.jpg

A little hazier today but here's another one from slightly further north, on top of Harrow on the Hill. Heron nicely filling the gap between Canary Wharf and Tower 42.

http://www.wildecat.co.uk/images/harrow1.JPG

Wildecat that is one of the most amazing shots i have seen. We can get a true scale of CW compared to the city from here

You've made two posts on SSC, and those two posts each contain two amazing photos!

The skyline looks so beefy in the second one, I love it!
Heron has made a huge improvement to the skyline, its an amazing building!

http://www.wildecat.co.uk/images/northala_city1.JPG

http://www.wildecat.co.uk/images/harrow1.JPG

Great images - if you put 'em through photoshop levels they'd be even better.

I agree, amazing shots, where about in Harrow on the Hill was the 2nd one shot?

The Harrow on the Hill picture was taken looking through the gap between the chapel and the Vaughan Library, standing on the steps on the other side of the road. Won't mean much if you don't know the area! Unless you can get onto Harrow School property there are no really open views in that direction so it's a matter of glimpsing what you can between trees and buildings.

I'm glad you like my contributions so far anyway. I work in the city so will have to start taking my camera with me more often.

from the Monument
http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/PanoramaHERON.JPG

a few more from the Monument and Tower Bridge
http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000018.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/C1000026.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000031.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000125.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000114.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000142.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000123.JPG

Beautiful pictures chest, they're awesome. :)

Yes Chest, your camera really does take some smashing shots.

The Harrow on the Hill picture was taken looking through the gap between the chapel and the Vaughan Library, standing on the steps on the other side of the road. Won't mean much if you don't know the area! Unless you can get onto Harrow School property there are no really open views in that direction so it's a matter of glimpsing what you can between trees and buildings.

I'm glad you like my contributions so far anyway. I work in the city so will have to start taking my camera with me more often.


Thanks. I'm going to have to take a trip there and to Northala Fields while I have my friends' sigma 70 - 300mm. What lens/camera did you use?

Quality photos as usual Chest.

from the Monument

Great pics once again :)

I particularly like the panorama view. Did you stitch a few shots together?

If not, how did you managed to get the lens through the pesky wire netting covering the top of Monument?
.

Great pics once again :)

I particularly like the panorama view. Did you stitch a few shots together?

If not, how did you managed to get the lens through the pesky wire netting covering the top of Monument?
.

2 pics stitched for the pano,
with the wire netting - there are some that look like they have been pulled open by people so I squeezed my lense through them.

Very good photos as ever Chest, in the zoomed out images of the city, what is the building in the lower left foreground with its facade covered over?

Yes Chest, your camera really does take some smashing shots.

You mean - he does.

I'm pleased that Heron tower is rising, it's a good quality building. But let's face it, by world standards the skyline of the City of London (the financial district) is not that impressive.

When I first saw the Twin Towers in NY my jaw opened and I just stared in amazement, I don't think many people get that feeling when seeing Heron Tower. The Pinnacle and the Shard will be more impressive.

Very good photos as ever Chest, in the zoomed out images of the city, what is the building in the lower left foreground with its facade covered over?

That's 40 Gracechurch Street.

I'm pleased that Heron tower is rising, it's a good quality building. But let's face it, by world standards the skyline of the City of London (the financial district) is not that impressive.

When I first saw the Twin Towers in NY my jaw opened and I just stared in amazement, I don't think many people get that feeling when seeing Heron Tower. The Pinnacle and the Shard will be more impressive.

That depends on how you define impressive skyline. I'm assuming you mean sheer height and/or density?

The skyline of the City (an area only about a square mile in size) is pretty low density in terms of world CBDs, but I still think it's impressive. For me a skyline is impressive by it's ability to be recognised by it's sillhouette. T42, the Gherkin, St. Paul's, The Monument, and Heron with it's spire on all fit into that category. Add future buildings and I'd say it will without doubt be hugely impressive (though again, not in terms of density or soar).

Thanks. I'm going to have to take a trip there and to Northala Fields while I have my friends' sigma 70 - 300mm. What lens/camera did you use?

can you post a google maps placemark when you do? i want to go there with a 420 and shoot it on a clear winter's day :)

I'm pleased that Heron tower is rising, it's a good quality building. But let's face it, by world standards the skyline of the City of London (the financial district) is not that impressive.

When I first saw the Twin Towers in NY my jaw opened and I just stared in amazement, I don't think many people get that feeling when seeing Heron Tower. The Pinnacle and the Shard will be more impressive.

Let's state the obvious. Were you expecting the heron tower to be as tall as the twin towers?

I'll make a prediction. The pinnacle and shard won't look as tall as the twin towers either.

Also, the twin towers aren't the world standard level for skyscrapers. Not even the new york standard. If we set the standard as the tallest building we've ever seen, then we'd get people who have seen Burj Dubai calling the new wtc1 unimpressive at only 417m.

Good point Ghost101, but it's not only the height that made the Twin Towers impressive.

For example, if there were two identical Heron Towers next to each other, it would be more impressive.

Heron Tower is a good building, but it doesn't have the wow-effect.

Good point Ghost101, but it's not only the height that made the Twin Towers impressive.

For example, if there were two identical Heron Towers next to each other, it would be more impressive.

Heron Tower is a good building, but it doesn't have the wow-effect.

Well it wont do yet.
Renders dont do many buildings justice so you cant base opinions on them and also Heron tower is still an ugly construction site and is long way off being finished.

The parts of the builging that give it its personality are the set backs, spire and cladding in this case and none of them have been finished yet, you can only truly judge a building when its finished.

Im a bricky and im always amazed at the difference between a building being half finished and the true finished article once all 'construction mess' has gone. When Heron is finished it will look a million times different from what it does now.

Well then very few skyscrapers have the wow-effect in that case, if you think about it hard enough.

Good point Ghost101, but it's not only the height that made the Twin Towers impressive.

For example, if there were two identical Heron Towers next to each other, it would be more impressive.

Heron Tower is a good building, but it doesn't have the wow-effect.

Who cares? New York doesn't have a thousand year old tower or an 800 year old abbey. "Let's modernise Britain" indeed, but let's ensure that our heritage isn't lost en-route. We don't want to lose many more of our pre-war buildings, because ultimately it's these that give London it's character......I hope that I'm wrong about you, but I get the distinct impression that you would happily level most of the city in return for a hi-tech city with a few token ancient monuments ala Beijing, which would be an utter disaster.

I'm pleased that Heron tower is rising, it's a good quality building. But let's face it, by world standards the skyline of the City of London (the financial district) is not that impressive.

When I first saw the Twin Towers in NY my jaw opened and I just stared in amazement, I don't think many people get that feeling when seeing Heron Tower. The Pinnacle and the Shard will be more impressive.

Also, let's not forget that New York is not a particularly modern city. Most of the city was built pre 1940, with another big chunk built between the late 1950s and late 1980s. Not a great deal has been built since then. London has far more cutting-edge 21st century architecture than New York, which other than one or two buildings has been in the architectural doldrums for the past 20 years.............it's still one hell of a city though, though mainly for it's fantastic early 20th century architecture, it's beautiful old skyscrapers built between 1900 and the 1930s and it's old apartment buildings with the fire escapes, again from the early 20th century.

I think people should only be comparing London's skyline with others in Europe.

But we certainly don't want this thread flooded with pics of Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid etc.

I think people should only be comparing London's skyline with others in Europe.

But we certainly don't want this thread flooded with pics of Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid etc.

Or cities with emerging skylines, comparing London which is only just reaching for the skies in a serious way with the world's first established extensive high-rise city is ridiculous, but where London does beat out New York is that it can mix ancient with cutting-edge, for instance lower Manhattan doesn't exactly have anything akin to the Tower of London or St Paul's Cathedral sharing streets with skyscrapers does it.

Who cares? New York doesn't have a thousand year old tower or an 800 year old abbey. "Let's modernise Britain" indeed, but let's ensure that our heritage isn't lost en-route. We don't want to lose many more of our pre-war buildings, because ultimately it's these that give London it's character......I hope that I'm wrong about you, but I get the distinct impression that you would happily level most of the city in return for a hi-tech city with a few token ancient monuments ala Beijing, which would be an utter disaster.Totally agree with you here.Also, let's not forget that New York is not a particularly modern city. Most of the city was built pre 1940, with another big chunk built between the late 1950s and late 1980s. Not a great deal has been built since then. London has far more cutting-edge 21st century architecture than New York, which other than one or two buildings has been in the architectural doldrums for the past 20 years.............it's still one hell of a city though, though mainly for it's fantastic early 20th century architecture, it's beautiful old skyscrapers built between 1900 and the 1930s and it's old apartment buildings with the fire escapes, again from the early 20th century.Totally disagree with you here. London's projects do have more variety, and the best of them are excellent quality too, but New York has not been asleep. Indeed the biggest skyscraper boom in New York's history has been the last decade. There are loads of cool recent buildings in New York.

city of london is one of the most impressive city places in the world.. mix of old historic buildings with modern buildings + skyscrapers ..add tower of london above skyscrapers.. st. paul cath., tower bridge.. and you've got wow-effect.. wait 3 years and you've got fantastic wow-effect!
new york , london - greatest cities in the world .

Here goes the bi-monthly London-NY debate ;0/

Here goes the bi-monthly London-NY debate ;0/

It is pretty nonsensical, I imagine if we looked on the New York sub forums they would be having the same arguments... They would love hard if they knew how often New York comes up in this context on this part of the site.

FFS,I'm glad London ain't like NY nor anywhere else.Its great as it is,as London,and can only get even better with the Pin,LBT,RS.
As to how much ''wow factor'' Heron has,thats a MATTER OF OPINION.I say its freaking ''wow'' enough.Its a very decent height and a great modern look.

From Shad Thames on Friday

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/4166870439_6812b5e170_b.jpg

Don't think this will be very popular but when I looked at those pics on the last page I thought the glass looked grey and rather drab even on a clear blue day.

... They would love hard if they knew....

sounds interesting

back on topic!

http://ultraxs.com/image-1355_4B1D917A.jpg

From Hampstead Heath with a borrowed Sigma 70 - 300mm, at 300mm and cropped a little, not the best lens, but a nice focal lenght to play with

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2561/4167118349_c588562f1c_b.jpg

now that's a skyline!


Got a full size one for me to use as my wallpaper?

has anyone seen the christmas lights they placed on the tower cranes over the weekend? When leaving the office last night they were all lit up! Gives a good idea of what the spire might look like..

has anyone seen the christmas lights they placed on the tower cranes over the weekend? When leaving the office last night they were all lit up! Gives a good idea of what the spire might look like..

They are just christmas fairy lights cable tied to the 2 cranes..... I'm still wondering how they did it.... :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2623/4168225353_3a65dd7d8b_b.jpg

Maybe they were always there from when the TCs first arrived :P

Maybe they were always there from when the TCs first arrived :P

Thats what I thought. I can't see anyone climbing on it just to hang some lights... :D

Couple more.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/4168225339_8c8779124f_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2677/4168225343_07601d9b26_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/4168225347_583feed84a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/4168225369_cc2ab72d60_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2618/4168994992_7c45885c79_b.jpg

Great pictures JackF, love the Tower 42 and Gherkin ones. :cheers:

Wow, absolutely stunning pictures.
I love the view down onto the top of Liverpool Street Station. Seeing these makes me envious of the people who are going to get to work in the upper levels of the tower.

amazing pics thnx chum!!

what height are more now?
near 180m ?
it looks level with the gherkin in some pics give or take being 100 yards further forward or backward from where the shot was taken...

ooh ohhh:pepper:!!!

you can see Bishopsgate down there in tower 42 pic!!

Seemed abit below the top of the Gherkin but not by much.
From memory (rubbish), they are from the 39th floor.

And of all the photos I got, none have all of the Bishopsgate site in them..... Oops...

Fab pics JackF. :cool:

'scuse me.I'm a little jealous :D

Current height must be around 175m then. Another 2-3 floors and it will steal the title from Tower 42. :)

It's looking really imposing from the southeast. In fact I think that's the best place to see it from.

Current height must be around 175m then. Another 2-3 floors and it will steal the title from Tower 42. :)

It's looking really imposing from the southeast. In fact I think that's the best place to see it from.

Definetly, the view of heron from the train to London bridge via queens road peck & south bermondsey is great! :cheers:

from the Monument a pano and close up of the lights on the crane
http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/APanorama2.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/A1000307.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/P1000298.JPG

http://homepage.mac.com/benveasey/.Public/A1000308.JPG

I'm not going to compete with JackF or Chest's photos with these :)

From London Bridge

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87853-2/20091208_0216.jpg



From Tower Bridge

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/87860-2/20091208_0240.jpg

Notice the cladding is slow on the rise.And photographs are/should be equally welcome and appreciated,no matter how they might ''rate'' against each other.It's all subjective anyway.

Are we expecting construction to halt next week for the Christmas/New Year shutdown?

what an explosion of excellent images over the last few pages! really enjoyed looking at them all thanks guys :)

here's my contribution to sexy night images of heron. spot new court on the left?

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/dump/P1020460.jpg

great pics everyone, a real treat over last couple of pages. thanks

3rd crane is now lit up with lights.

what an explosion of excellent images over the last few pages! really enjoyed looking at them all thanks guys :)

We really need your photos too :) They're stunning

That really has transformed the skyline of London and its not even finished yet.

They've put lights on the third crane. They put the main arm (not sure of technical term) completely horizontal.

Someone influential must read this board, cos I seem to remember some people on here commenting why hadn't they put lights on all three cranes!

I saw them doing it from my office window, it's been good watching it slowly rise...

Thought I should add my 2p with Heron's Xmas lights from Butlers Wharf this evening

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/88384-2/20091209_0104.jpg

complete with blurry boat (which is amazingly not the main subject of the photo :))

Great photo there Rob!

How sweet of them to do that :-) Looks great

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2623/4168225353_3a65dd7d8b_b.jpg


Now that ladder must be fun to climb :D

Seeing as the top was only attched by a loose piece of string (not joking) and freely swinging in the wind I decided against it. :D

reminds me of some ladder games at thorpe park...where you have to get up the rope ladder to the top...the horizontal ones that spin :P

ouch, there's some zingetastic photos going on there. Something about dusk and all the lights starting to shine brightly. Bless them for going to all that trouble to get the Xmas lights on the cranes.

Seeing as the top was only attched by a loose piece of string (not joking) and freely swinging in the wind I decided against it. :D

was it windy?

How the frig do they add those lights does someone have to climb along the crane??

http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/skyscrapercitypics/skyscrapers/heron/14.jpg





http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/skyscrapercitypics/skyscrapers/heron/15.jpg

Ooft, Heron looks a bit close to St. Paul's in that last shot. I might request that construction be stopped right away... ;)

What is that slab of green glass in front of St Pauls in wjfox's second photo?

That has done more damage to the setting of St Pauls than any skyscraper in the City ever could.

Cracking photos btw.

Great shots Will - really challenging the dominance of T42 now (an effect which will increase once fully clad). The only thing I don't like in that shot is the grey carbuncle (Unilever building?) in front of St Pauls from this angle - that makes me angry; very angry indeed!

thanks fox. still another five storeys to go then, and then some.

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/220/nc17yx.jpg

What is that slab of green glass in front of St Pauls in wjfox's second photo?

That has done more damage to the setting of St Pauls than any skyscraper in the City ever could.



I agree.

In fact, there's a whole thread on this:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=456604

A pic of the upper levels this lunchtime:

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1260452918

..and an "arty" shot of Heron reflected in the Gherkin.

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1260452998

How the frig do they add those lights does someone have to climb along the crane??

Good point, unless they were jizzed up prior to their erecetion.

Damn these are EXCITING times, its been a good year for construction and completion and next year it's only going to get better. When does this brute T/O, or should i say T/O + have its mast/spire/antenna/skewer/knitting needle complete?

We really need your photos too :)

'fraid my view is not what it used to be. i can still see a tiny piece of Heron though:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/4174852800_8f352d7475_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2670/4174720068_63e61ff945_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4174112669_70ea77f349_b.jpg

that pesky gasometer! I wonder if there are any plans to get shot of it??

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/heron101209a.jpg

http://www.cranesetc.co.uk/cranesetcphotos/heron101209b.jpg

Couple of distant shots from North London showing cranes lit up. Darned Heron Tower has blocked my view of the Gherkin!!

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/mjf297/CIMG4518.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj219/mjf297/CIMG4519.jpg

that pesky gasometer! I wonder if there are any plans to get shot of it??

I hope not! I love that gasometer, makes a nice contrast to the nearby O2

view from waterloo bridge is one of the best.. st. paul's cath. looks very nice with all those buildings there... but now.. what the hell is that stupid building doing there in the front of st. paul's ???!! who gave permission for that? EH were on holiday then??? :bash:

A couple of views from Tower Hill this afternoon

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/89578-2/20091210_0121.jpg

http://www.cybertects.co.uk/gallery2/d/89572-2/20091210_0130.jpg

http://www.shr3k.com/img/img002.jpg

Good point, unless they were jizzed up prior to their erecetion.

Damn these are EXCITING times, its been a good year for construction and completion and next year it's only going to get better. When does this brute T/O, or should i say T/O + have its mast/spire/antenna/skewer/knitting needle complete?

They flat jib the crane and then go out on the small walkway and attach them, the reason they didn't do all three at once is we still have a program to keep to with the steel erection and were damned if we're going to stop for a few lights!!

nobby nobby your a top man, id love your job!!

great to have you on board nobby nobby!

http://www.shr3k.com/img/img002.jpg

Simply stunning! (I thought I'll quote it so people don't miss it on this page)

And the winner of "Best photograph on SSC 2009 goes to........."
Actually many recent photographs on this thread have been spectacular - thanks Chest, Cybertect etc etc.

Nobby Nobby(welcome btw),Cybertec,Chest,Cranesetc,DownFallen,John B,DarJole,Mikey, etc...congratulations on making the progress of London's main projects so exciting to follow,you guys are doing a great job.:)

Many thanks...:cheers:

PS:sorry for those I haven't mentionned this time...=(

http://i620.photobucket.com/albums/tt283/skyscrapercitypics/london/heron/16.jpg

informative mock up Will, thanks

I think the Heron in your mock-up Will is just 1 storey too high. You have to remember that from that angle, T42 still looks ever so slightly taller. Also, you can see that restraunt part has been fully completed, whereas on the mockup it looks like it is going to expand slightly vertically still, by 1 floor.

Not as good as Will's pics, but I suffered the winds and colds of Waterloo Bridge today to bring these images to the masses:

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4386/heron1z.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1328/heron2.jpg

:D

awesome photos. nobby nobby's photos makes me feel slightly ill. presumably the photographers is dangling from the end of crane several hundred feet above Bishopsgate. I'm shivering at such a prospect. Not really much further to go until we're topped out.

Yer you're right Medo, they aren't as good as Will's, in fact you may as well not have bothered posting them, but I'm sure you did your best...

.
.
.
.
.
.
:hug:

Presumably it has now surpassed Swiss Re, it's difficult to tell from these photos, depending on the angle...looks about the same height, slightly more maybe.

That view is going to look quiet stunning by 2012, Blackfriars station will be there as well as the pinnacle and pehaps the starting of Leadenhall (maybe :) ) plus the cannon street development and numerous other scheme's that might of started by then.

Yer you're right Medo, they aren't as good as Will's, in fact you may as well not have bothered posting them, but I'm sure you did your best...

:hug:



Actually, I think they are great photos. beautifully framed and sort of classic in feel. Excellent Medo. JRS doesn't know his **** from his elbow :lol:

Actually, I think they are great photos. beautifully framed and sort of classic in feel. Excellent Medo. JRS doesn't know his **** from his elbow :lol:

i think he's being facetious...

That view is going to look quiet stunning by 2012, Blackfriars station will be there as well as the pinnacle and pehaps the starting of Leadenhall (maybe :) ) plus the cannon street development and numerous other scheme's that might of started by then.

Also: NO BUCKLERSBURY HOUSE!

Is it going to be demolished by then? I thought the Walbrook square scheme was shelved for the time being? I hope to God that it is demolished by then!

I was at vertigo 42 last night, and the last completed floor is now level with the 42nd floor, it's quite awasome looking across at it. Unfortunately the fog kept rolling in, so couldn't get any really clear pictures with my phone.

Not long now before the old boy has to give up his title as the tallest building in the city.

Not as good as Will's pics, but I suffered the winds and colds of Waterloo Bridge today to bring these images to the masses:

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/4386/heron1z.jpg


Great updates to all! Apologies,,,Im have little time to be on here now.

What is teh structure rising high right and in the foreground of the Gherkin?

Great updates to all! Apologies,,,Im have little time to be on here now.

What is teh structure rising high right and in the foreground of the Gherkin?

New Court.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=587650

Hi all - I've sort of been lurking in the background on these forums for a while but when I saw this I thought it would be of interested to ssc users given how much everyone loves photo updates.

guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/dec/11/snapshot-special-branch-terror-suspect

It's a video taken by a Guardian journo who was stopped by security guards, then the Met for taking pictures at the foot of the Gerkin. The upshot is that he was stopped by officers who attempted to search him using Sec 44 of the Terrorism Act.

In simple terms: if you get approached by officers while you're in a public place they can only search your images if they have 'exceptional circumstances', if you are going about your lawful business and they approach you, you do not have to tell them your name, your details, or justify what your doing.

I just thought I'd mention it here because it's important people know their rights - especially under Sec 44 of the TA act. And we wouldn't want the Met stealing our construction updates would we?

Peace.

The lift shafts looks great at night.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/4178864528_18a89b62b7_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4178104723_e9052c0920_b.jpg

..I just thought I'd mention it here because it's important people know their rights - especially under Sec 44 of the TA act. And we wouldn't want the Met stealing our construction updates would we?..
Interesting .. as one of those with a Section 44 slip on my wall at home. (I wasn't searched, but had to give all kind of details and presumably now sit on a database somwhere)

Interesting .. as one of those with a Section 44 slip on my wall at home. (I wasn't searched, but had to give all kind of details and presumably now sit on a database somwhere)

Although Sec 44 powers are no longer London wide, there are certain are in London, particularly in the City and Central London, which are deemed still be at significant risk of being targeted by terrorist, in these areas the power remains in force, and officers can still stop and search persons and vehicles using Sec 44 without having to give a reason.

Contrary to what you read in the papers, this power is a very useful tool, and there is no doubt it has thus far prevented a number of attacks and saved us from significant loss of life.

If you have nothing to hide, then 5 minutes out of your life is not much to ask for, so that everyone can enjoy the freedoms and security that we enjoy in this great city of ours:cheers:

The records only go on to form an intelligence report if they are of significant interest, otherwise the itell system would be overloaded with useless info.

Taken a short while ago:

http://i47.tinypic.com/kdpevn.jpg

http://i49.tinypic.com/wv1s1e.jpg

If you have nothing to hide, then 5 minutes out of your life is not much to ask for, so that everyone can enjoy the freedoms and security that we enjoy in this great city of ours:cheers:


I have been alarmed by some stories in the press over the last year or so which suggested that the police haven't always understood the law very well (some of those stories are referenced in the Guardian article). However, having watched the video I was of the opinion that the policemen were polite, patient, understood the law and were only responding to the call from the Gherkin security. The part showing the police was, if anything, reassuring for me. I didn't like the attitude of the Gherkin security (demanding to see the film, calling the police because someone was taking photos of the Gherkin...) or the suggestion that the private security guys did some of the work of the police (isn't that true of any vigilant member of the public)?

I do wonder how the policemen would assess the photos on the camera - they were there in response to a complaint that someone was suspicioulsy taking photos of the Gherkin lobby area, so assumably they did find photos of the Gherkin lobby....then what? How can the policemen decide - in the street - which photos are useful to terrorists and which aren't? Many innocent photos of buildings (including lots posted on this site) could be 'useful to terrorists' - not really clear to me how anyone can decide which photos are innocent and which are not.

I have been alarmed by some stories in the press over the last year or so which suggested that the police haven't always understood the law very well (some of those stories are referenced in the Guardian article). However, having watched the video I was of the opinion that the policemen were polite, patient, understood the law and were only responding to the call from the Gherkin security. The part showing the police was, if anything, reassuring for me. I didn't like the attitude of the Gherkin security (demanding to see the film, calling the police because someone was taking photos of the Gherkin...) or the suggestion that the private security guys did some of the work of the police (isn't that true of any vigilant member of the public)?

I do wonder how the policemen would assess the photos on the camera - they were there in response to a complaint that someone was suspicioulsy taking photos of the Gherkin lobby area, so assumably they did find photos of the Gherkin lobby....then what? How can the policemen decide - in the street - which photos are useful to terrorists and which aren't? Many innocent photos of buildings (including lots posted on this site) could be 'useful to terrorists' - not really clear to me how anyone can decide which photos are innocent and which are not.

There are certain ways in which hostile recon photo's are taken, they are different to a normal tourist photo's, obviously I can't go in to any detail, but officers are trained in what to look out for in the photo's and the tell tail signs of hostile recon.

Anyway back to Heron Tower, Great photo's SE9

I have been alarmed by some stories in the press over the last year or so which suggested that the police haven't always understood the law very well (some of those stories are referenced in the Guardian article). However, having watched the video I was of the opinion that the policemen were polite, patient, understood the law and were only responding to the call from the Gherkin security. The part showing the police was, if anything, reassuring for me. I didn't like the attitude of the Gherkin security (demanding to see the film, calling the police because someone was taking photos of the Gherkin...) or the suggestion that the private security guys did some of the work of the police (isn't that true of any vigilant member of the public)?

I do wonder how the policemen would assess the photos on the camera - they were there in response to a complaint that someone was suspicioulsy taking photos of the Gherkin lobby area, so assumably they did find photos of the Gherkin lobby....then what? How can the policemen decide - in the street - which photos are useful to terrorists and which aren't? Many innocent photos of buildings (including lots posted on this site) could be 'useful to terrorists' - not really clear to me how anyone can decide which photos are innocent and which are not.

Loads of people take photos of Gherkin every hour of every day without being questioned. However. I too have regularly been stopped taking photos in the City. It's a waste of police time. As if terrorists would be walking around taking photos like this. Anyway, all they need to do is go on Google Maps, Street View. :ohno:

Go dressed as Osama. You would be guaranteed not to be questioned by police :D

New Court.
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=587650

It is indeed. Many thanks :)

Go dressed as Osama. You would be guaranteed not to be questioned by police :D

Ooh : Osama - Obama oh oh!

Go dressed as Osama. You would be guaranteed not to be questioned by police :D

lol lol lol, might try this, see if the workers will let me on site!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/4178934745_07e0e4bdd0_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2547/4178929371_2c25609f5d_b.jpg

You've got to feel slightly sorry for poor old Tower 42 having been the tallest in The City for 30 years but soon to be outdone by the new kid on the block.

Incidentally, whoever came up with The Gherkin as a label has obviously NEVER seen one. I always though that The Cigar would have been a better choice but did anyone ask me????? No.

nah more like an upturned zeppelin i have always thought (its just about the right size too)

If you have nothing to hide, then 5 minutes out of your life is not much to ask for, so that everyone can enjoy the freedoms and security that we enjoy in this great city of ours:cheers:

No doubt many people share this view, and sure, it sounds sensible enough. But for me it's more than 5 mins of my life, it's a matter of principle - especially in a city that captures me and my family on camera hundreds of times each day. I'd never be bullied/harassed into giving away any personal info away unless I was legally obliged.

And it's shamefully ironic that it's probably my attitude that comes across as 'more aggressive' than that of the police, who have amassed thousands of hours of footage of me walking around minding my own business. Indeed this is a great city, but I wouldn't say we enjoy freedom or security.

@the_animation: Indeed. Anyone who comes out with "if you have nothing to hide"-type nonsense should be thrown into an Orwellian dungeon, since they like them so much. The police are our servants, not our masters, and should behave as such at all times. And the ability to go about one's business day-to-day without being harassed by officialdom is far more important than dodging a one-in-a-million chance of being exploded...

(although to be fair, the worse offenders in harassing people over made-up 'terrorism' nonsense are PCSOs and private security guards, reflecting the fact that they're ignorant morons who've never had the chance to exercise power over anyone in any form before. Real police, as in the Guardian video, generally at least know the law and have some respect for the public).

There are certain ways in which hostile recon photo's are taken, they are different to a normal tourist photo's, obviously I can't go in to any detail, but officers are trained in what to look out for in the photo's and the tell tail signs of hostile recon.

"I'm not talking complete spurious rubbish, but I can't explain why it's not complete spurious rubbish because of SECURITY in case EVIL TERRORISTS find out!!!". Yeah, right.

Is Bucklersbury House actually going to get demolished???

If it is, then it will bring alot of joy to my life.:lol:
The thing is hideous!!

the ability to go about one's business day-to-day without being harassed by officialdom is far more important than dodging a one-in-a-million chance of being exploded...

Is that not a selfish way to look at the situation? You may see your own individual chance of being targeted by terrorists as 1 in a million, however the police have to consider the safety of the population as a whole. I think the way the police acted in that video was totally appropriate and reassuring. I'm sure that journalist would readily write a story about how worryingly lax the security is in that location had he not been approached!

@milkymilky as I said above, I've no problems with the police's behaviour towards the journalist - however, the security guard should never have called the police out, as it isn't illegal to take photographs in public places, and the police should have bollocked the security guard for wasting their time, as it isn't illegal to take photographs in public places.