Dam I know i'm late, but I could not log on all day yesterday or the day before
But here goes
:dance::cheers1:

check out these alternative designs for this tower that some students did a few years back!
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sbe/tallbuildings/HeronMain.htm

I like them a lot!

The boundary between 'Demo' and 'U/C' is often vague on projects like this. However for Heron Tower:

- There is work going on related to the construction of the new building rather than the demolition.
- A construction contract has been awarded

On the basis of the above criteria I would recommend Heron is classed as U/C.

Well, if you're absolutely certain they've started permanent piling work then I'd be happy to update the thread title. :)

hacking away on Saturday morning, another level seems to have come down since cranesetc's photo on the 31st Oct. The yellow piling apparatus was fairly quiet, but the diggers were moving stuff around site.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9603/img1637nz0.jpg

This tower is definitely happening.....and it will be built quickly. I didn't have too much faith in it until the Arabs got on board to be honest. This along with Natwest and Swiss Re will form an attractive triple set of towers for the City even if nothing else is built.

However, with the Bishopsgate Tower, 122 Leadenhall and 20 Fenchurch Street almost certain to be built the City of London will have arguably the most futuristic skyline of any Western city.

From EGi:

-----------------

Heron Tower to rise in the City as Ronson puts team in place
Darren Lazarus 02/11/2007 11:00

Gerald Ronson has shown his full commitment to the speculative development of his 663ft Heron Tower with the appointment of a contractor and a new leasing director.

Heron International has appointed Skanska to build the 462,000 sq ft scheme at 110 Bishopsgate, EC2, and hired CB Richard Ellis senior director Mark McAlister to head its letting campaign.

McAlister has worked at CBRE for 26 years, including six on secondment to Canary Wharf. He is currently joint letting agent on a rival, but less certain, tower scheme – the 1,016ft Shard of Glass at London Bridge, SE1. He joins Heron on 1 January.

It is expected that CBRE will retain its joint letting instruction on the Heron Tower alongside Cushman & Wakefield.

Construction of the tower will begin in April with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2011.

April is a fair way away, Considering the site will be clear by the end of the year.

I've said it before I think: I wish they'd clean up that building on the right of that last pic and maybe change the glass in the windows, I think it could look pretty nice with a bit of renovation.

I've said it before I think: I wish they'd clean up that building on the right of that last pic and maybe change the glass in the windows, I think it could look pretty nice with a bit of renovation.

It will be - It forms part of the mini Heron tower development - Another 100m Heron tower will rise from the back of it at some point.

Skanska are actually using part of the building as their office, there are some leaflets on the heron tower in the reception

From today;

http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/ba82127d7b.jpg (http://www.freeimagehosting.net/)

Should be gone within the next couple of weeks.

Should be gone within the next couple of weeks.

Today - wide angle!

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs22/i/2007/311/2/1/Heron_Tower_by_JohnnySix.jpg

...and after only two days you can see a difference again. There's not much left behind that sheeting.

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1194637761

so many buildings being taken down in the city, people passing buy will be wondering wot the hells goin on! great to see how quickly its coming down (well i think its quick :P)

Taken today;

http://thumbnails2.imagebam.com/81/f5e8ba801194.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/f5e8ba801194/)http://thumbnails2.imagebam.com/81/5f4b70801195.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/5f4b70801195/)http://thumbnails2.imagebam.com/81/2af21d801196.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/2af21d801196/)

i wonder how the demolition is now

not much different, had a look yesterday

They have done a fair bit of work behind the sheeting, I think we will see a fair difference next week.

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1195244140
http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1195244199

In the words of Kevin Spacey 'and like that, he's gone'. Sort of, or very nearly. Valuable updates there SloopJohnB

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/GazKinz/Picture160.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d155/GazKinz/Picture161.jpg

As I suspected, Bishop House is looking a bit different this week:

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1195652978


They were really giving it a pasting this lunchtime. The following two shots were taken twelve minutes apart:

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1195653217

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1195653264

At this rate there will soon be nothing to see behind the hoardings.

Another piece of London's heritage lost. :ohno: Is the site surrounded by roads so that Heron will be on a traffic island?

errr okkkkkk, is that a real tear?! They will pedestrianise the road that is now closed, housing all the machinary and stuff during the works.

it wont be long till the building is gone.

Another piece of London's heritage lost. :ohno: Is the site surrounded by roads so that Heron will be on a traffic island?
Wtf are you talking about?

I'll let Mr Fox cover this one:

A nondescript concrete slab from the 1970s... ripe for a major redevelopment!
http://tinypic.com/mafno4.jpg

...yer, London really is losing vital heritage here, where were EH????

Wow, I'm getting so excited about this now! So what do you all think will rise first? This, Leadenhall or the Pinnacle?

So what do you all think will rise first? This, Leadenhall or the Pinnacle?

Probably Leadenhall - foundation work has already started. Pinnacle will commence in Feb '08, Heron in about March/April. Hard to believe these giant towers are actually going to be starting soon...

Another piece of London's heritage lost. :ohno: Is the site surrounded by roads so that Heron will be on a traffic island?

Ill try and save you a lump of concrete

:lol:

Probably Leadenhall - foundation work has already started. Pinnacle will commence in Feb '08, Heron in about March/April. Hard to believe these giant towers are actually going to be starting soon...

Yes and together..... Wow ;)

Yeah, watching the progress here I was starting to think Heron. Yes piling has started on Leadenhall but it's hard to remove the mental barrier of the huge building still standing above it! But yes, I still do think you are correct Will.

Either way...I can't f***ing wait for the future!

i dont like them 60 or 70s building glad there a new building replacing it as it future.

This building is alomost history,it'll probally be gone by the end of next week, piling has also started here, and I think this may surprise us and get going before 122, as the demolition of 122 seems to be at a stand still

piling has also started here,


Then why have they said an April 2008 start? What exactly is happening then?

Then why have they said an April 2008 start? What exactly is happening then?

don't know, but there was a yellow drilling rig on site beavering away, it's not as big as the one working at 122, but it's definatley a piling rig

Perhaps they mean the core/steelwork will be rising in April... that would be 6 months earlier than expected though! :?

Hmm... it would appear they've started the foundations a month early then. In which case this project is indeed u/c.

:)


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/city_of_london/Heron-GanttChart.jpg

That would be a fab news! :)

Probably Leadenhall - foundation work has already started. Pinnacle will commence in Feb '08, Heron in about March/April. Hard to believe these giant towers are actually going to be starting soon...

can i actually double check that you mean cores or steelwork will be rising on all three come the end of Q1 2008? Amazing!

This is what was left of Bishop House this lunchtime... say goodbye now because it will be gone next week.

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1195830427

^^ Nice! What's going on with that tall-ish building on the right with the 'Skanska' signs on it??

^^ Thats the Dashwood House reclad :)

^^ Ah thnx, thought it must be something like that. It's hard to know which projects you're looking at in the average photo of the City these days!

bye :wave:

that has come down exceedingly quickly. I'm say my goodbyes now! Ciao. I think in terms of racing skywards it could be between Heron and Leadenhall. Although the Pinnacle is due for imminent start in Feb / March, so there could be little between them really. Wonderful, who'd have thought it.

In terms of demolition Leadenhall is now falling way behind, there was little or no activity on the site in terms of demolition this week, they seen to be focused on piling and basemen construction, St Mary Axe is just log jammed with cement mixing trucks these days.

If they are piling for the build, do they not first dig a big hole for the basement or will be tower just sit at ground level?

I would suspect they would have to dig out the remains of the foundation of the existing structure, hence still a bit of demolition left yet.

Is this going to have a concrete core? Because if so Leadenhall should go up quicker as it hasn't got one.

Come on Heron! Come on Heron! I love the little features on this building. The cladding, stairwells, spire. I love it. It's a nice simple building.

Is this going to have a concrete core? Because if so Leadenhall should go up quicker as it hasn't got one.

yes it going to have a concerte core as it going to be a tall tower.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2062772383_8cbedf90d6_b.jpg

^^ Wow...it's like...gone...almost...

Really has opened up that whole area. You can now see the church and the Dashwood House reclad. This time next year that view should see Heron's steel/core blotting out those buildings once again...but in a good way this time!

Btw, I can see 'Skanska' written 10 times in that shot!

^^ Wow...it's like...gone...almost...


Btw, I can see 'Skanska' written 10 times in that shot!

Its clearly 11 times...look closer:nuts:

Dashwood, Old Stock exchange.. London's elder high rises are looking stunning with their new clobber.. its a nice warm up for the newbie towers

Its clearly 11 times...look closer:nuts:

Seconded.

There's the piling rig I was talking about, so is this U/C?

so is this U/C?

I'm still not sure tbh. I want to know what they mean by an April start. Is that when core/steelwork begins, or what? Needs clarifying.

There's the piling rig I was talking about, so is this U/C?

Could it be soil investigations??? As I understood the programme, this would be a little early for piling

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2257/2062772383_8cbedf90d6_b.jpg

i am eternally in your debt darjole for the awesome update pics of the city "big three" ...

the race is on!

It's no longer possible to see anything above the hoardings so I guess we can assume that Bishop House is no more.

I wonder if they will be able to install a webcam on top of 99 Bishopsgate, it would be the perfect place if they could get permission.

whos the developer? u could try sending an email. ppl sya British land are good for stuff like tht so maybe this developer would ty it??

whos the developer? u could try sending an email. ppl sya British land are good for stuff like tht so maybe this developer would ty it??

i think Skanska the developer

Skanska are the contractors, not the developers. Heron (International) I think are developing it.

good to see it gone. i can't tell you how many times during the evolution of this project that i've walked past bishop house and imagined heron tower in its place, only to be reminded that in reality this was london, it was drizzling, and the site was still, after years of planning, occupied by a miserable, dreary office block, and that heron tower might never actually even be realised.

bishop house for me, in my 8yrs in london as a skyscraper enthusiast, represented everything bad about the city's attitude towards highrise architecture - just one miserable, stubborn obstacle refusing to make way for something progressive, bold and inspiring.

its demise is encouraing, but only when we see the bad boy that's replacing it soar skywards can we really crack open the stellas and toast a new era in the city's architectural evolution.

actually forget that, i'm english, i'll have a stella whenever i want. i'm going to the fridge.

Stella = evil :(

(Last time I had it I got banned from the student union and woke up with grazes on my face, shoulder and knee)

^^ gutted! but the last time i had vodka was just as bad... alcohol is just not a nice thing!

thinking about it though in 2009 i wont be drinking much else :P i'll have a lot of toasting to do. i think i'll drink to every floor that goes up. what a wild few years i'll have :D

A couple of views over the hoardings (thank heaven for double-decker buses!)

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1196453111

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1196453731

Great updates again JohnB, SSC should employ you surely :)

A couple of views over the hoardings (thank heaven for double-decker buses!)

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1196453111

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1196453731



It Gone:carrot:

almost. basements still there.

http://www.xsltblog.com/archives/The-Simpsons-Mr-Burns-Excel.jpg

^^bloody hell! a couple of days pass and theres hardly anything remaining! thats pretty dam fast :P

With a bit of luck, 1 more week, Then the basement will be gone.

http://www.xsltblog.com/archives/The-Simpsons-Mr-Burns-Excel.jpg

:lol:

I can just hear the voice..

This is sooo great! i don't think i'll be this excited again until i see the core rising :banana:

I can't believe it's gone! (Well, except for the basement:D)

Surely it can't be long until this one can be classed as U/C? What happens now, site clearance and then piling can start, right?

Excavation, shoring, piling....and perhaps new hoarding and site huts.

I can't believe it's gone! (Well, except for the basement:D)

Surely it can't be long until this one can be classed as U/C? What happens now, site clearance and then piling can start, right?

3...4 months. Isn't it supposed to start in the second quarter of 2008? Piling that is.

Is it still gonna take that long just to start piling? Perhaps the timetable has moved forward, now that the old site has been demolished so quickly> Weren't they originally supposed to do excavations after demolition, but they have already been done or something?

Come to think of it, wasn't the demolition originally supposed to take ages because of asbestos? The buildings flew down.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/11.jpg



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/12.jpg



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/13-1.jpg

thx for the fotos prince will

shame - for a coupla quid more we could have got rid of the carbunkle on the right of this photo ....


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/11.jpg

That's the site of the proposed 100 Bishopgate.

Does the hoarding have any pics of heron yet, as leadenhall's hoarding has pics of leadenhall?

^^ Yeah its kinda funny how the Shard has had hoardings around with its picture and everything on it.

That's the site of the proposed 100 Bishopgate.

ta - that's put my mind at ease ....

When I strolled past this lunchtime they had started to take down the tower crane.

^^ Yeah its kinda funny how the Shard has had hoardings around with its picture and everything on it.

Maybe because the Shard is seen more of a local regeneration scheme

Those pictures are so big, i cannot see them.


But still, tower crane!!!!!

woop

i always wonder what the base of this new building going to be like

Those pictures are so big, i cannot see them.


But still, tower crane!!!!!

woop


Thats what I thought (not being a regular visitor to this thread), I saw that Red crane...and in anticipation started to pitch my own little crane!... but the tower crane was for the demolition, its coming down..I got overexited too soon again :(

crane has now gone

Das lame.

Just as a refresher here's the design & access statement. im sure most of the images have been seen before but there's some interesting shots of what was first proposed for the site & some rendering from various viewing points.

http://www.planning.cityoflondon.gov.uk:90/WAM/showCaseThumbnail.do?councilName=Corporation+of+London&appNumber=05%2F00771%2FFULEIA&docid=39692

^ Nice. A new night-time rendering...


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/1-19.jpg

And viewed from the northern end of Bishopsgate. A soaring, 800ft giant......



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/2-12.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/5-6.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/3-14.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/4-8.jpg




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/6-5.jpg

wow i like it.

that last picture - giggity giggity giggity!

what's the building in the foreground?

Is that heron plaza, the smaller tower for the same scheme??

I like it it, but it looks surprisingly stumpy - especially in the render looking south from the Bishopsgate Library. (needs another 50m!)

I doubt it will be stumpy LOL it will b a beast either way

This is my favourite "proper" skyscraper to be built in London.

I like how a lot of thought has gone into the impact of this building on the surrounding streets especially with people flow. The main pavement on Bishopsgate is widened and the loading bay empties out onto the side street rather than onto a public/busy area. The pedestrianisation of Hounsditch is simply fantastic with (no doubt) coffee bars lining the route. The detailing of the external facade and interiors is of the highest quality - as long as they turn out like the plans state. Why can't all skyscrapers (CW....) be like this?

I particulary like the giant fish tank in the foyer and I didn't know, until now, that this building is going to have a public restaurant/bar and viewing gallery at the top. Great stuff.

What irritates me about this building is there seems to be an awful lot of 'old lump' on the top. The working floors seem to be even lower than Tower42? I maybe wrong?

What irritates me about this building is there seems to be an awful lot of 'old lump' on the top. The working floors seem to be even lower than Tower42? I maybe wrong?

I think you're right, the main bulk of the tower only rises to about 160-170m, so it won't appear to be much taller than T42. 122 Leadenhall will appear much larger from most angles

its taller than the ridge of mid-rises (old stock exchange, st helens, angel court, etc etc) so it'll do for me and will make a fundamental difference to the skyline, and at least the elevations vary quite considerably meaning this will brighten up many skyline shots and aerials

Here we go again with the old "stumpy" argument. First the Pinnacle, now this. Do you really think the average person on the street is going to think this building lacks height?


http://i1.tinypic.com/nfsh7k.jpg

Here we go again with the old "stumpy" argument. First the Pinnacle, now this. Do you really think the average person on the street is going to think this building lacks height?


No, they will hate it for being so noticable, vulgar and 'too American'.

P.s

I still say spires are cheating,no matter what building they are....for me this building is 'only' 200m..:)

For me it's 202 meters too.
But i think that discussion has been up a few times before too... :)

Yeah, that's a rather piddely little spire - it doesnt count in my book.

Generally i don't count spires unless they are absolutely integral to the design - such as the Empire State or Chrysler building....most other spires just look like afterthoughts (although they usually do add that little something that improves the look of a building).

It would look great with a height increase, but it looks great how it is and I wouldnt change it for anything else.

Yeah, that's a rather piddely little spire - it doesnt count in my book.

Generally i don't count spires unless they are absolutely integral to the design - such as the Empire State or Chrysler building....most other spires just look like afterthoughts (although they usually do add that little something that improves the look of a building).

Heron's spire is integral to the design... unlike Minerva's for example.

Sure, it might well have been designed with the spire in mind - but to my eyes the building would look perfectly acceptable without the spire, granted, lacking in some soar - but it still does look like a bit of an afterthought.

Whereas, if you were to remove the spire from the Empire State building, for example, it would look horrid, the building would be noticeably missing something (unlike heron which would look alright without its spire).

Don't get me wrong - i love the Heron tower, spire and all, i just think its one of those buildings that cheats when it comes to the height :)

Yeah, that's a rather piddely little spire - it doesnt count in my book.

40m isn't far short of an Olympic-sized swimming pool... :bash:

No, they will hate it for being so noticable, vulgar and 'too American'.

P.s

I still say spires are cheating,no matter what building they are....for me this building is 'only' 200m..:)

Am I right to infer from this that you are refering to my dislike of the Pinnacle?:) This (Heron) is a far superior building IMO. I have no problem with it at all. I like it. It has entirely the right kind of feel about the design to be a 'City' or London tower... in short it has the class that, for me, the (vulgar!)Pinnacle lacks. I am looking forward to seeing this rise. It will be a fine companion for Swiss Re, Leadenhall and the Shard.:cheers:

Ps I agree that spires don't really count!

I agree that heron tower goes very well in London and will be a great addition to its skyline

Am I right to infer from this that you are refering to my dislike of the Pinnacle?:) This (Heron) is a far superior building IMO. I have no problem with it at all. I like it. It has entirely the right kind of feel about the design to be a 'City' or London tower... in short it has the class that, for me, the (vulgar!)Pinnacle lacks. I am looking forward to seeing this rise. It will be a fine companion for Swiss Re, Leadenhall and the Shard.:cheers:

Ps I agree that spires don't really count!

I've got a feeling dude that when the pinnacle starts to rise you will be wetting yourself like the rest of us.Plus heron will look great and yeah i agree a spire is cheating lol.

Here we go again with the old "stumpy" argument. First the Pinnacle, now this. Do you really think the average person on the street is going to think this building lacks height?


http://i1.tinypic.com/nfsh7k.jpg

I dont think anyone was saying that, I was making the point that the usable floors seem to finish quite low down for such a tall building and this sketch illustrates that point.

Are they still clearing the site and pilling at the moment?

So what's the status for the 'Baby Heron' building planeed for next door. Is that still in planning, has it got approval, when is it gonna start rising etc?

Also for the smaller tower, will they have to demolish any other buildings?

from this render at http://www.thelpr.com/property.php?id=51 and from previous render, it looks like more may have to be demolished.

That's a very decent render - not seen it before. Heron really is a handsome fellow - it will be great to see it rising in 2008

Let's see it here then...
http://www.thelpr.com/images/fullsize/property/P051.jpg

How can anyone call this stumpy? Anyone who's seen this view in real life should know how tall SwissRe appears from here - it completely dominates the view when you're going down Bishopsgate. Thousands of people walk down here every day and you can see many of them stopping to look at SwissRe. Now look at SwissRe compared to Heron from this same view... it's both taller and nearer, and more central, and has a whopping spire on its crown that will make it the tallest building in the country.


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_general/2-12.jpg

I think Heron plaza really compliments Heron tower, providing a nice little step up to the tower. I dont think Heron is stumpy, but i did expect the working floors to be slightly higher than t42. If there is going to be a retaurant i assume it will be above these working floors in the tallerst and smallest portion of the tower?

I'm loving the squares on the facade with the diagonal lines. :happy:

Are they still clearing the site and pilling at the moment?


Currently they're breaking into the basement of what used to be Kempson House. I imagine that ground works will take several months yet.

from this render at http://www.thelpr.com/property.php?id=51 and from previous render, it looks like more may have to be demolished.

:drool: Looks fantastic here, proportions look great

I think the larger render doesn't emphasise it's height because of the background buildings and the details every 3 floors. wjfox is right though, that view when in the flesh is going to be AMAZING

Let's see it here then...
http://www.thelpr.com/images/fullsize/property/P051.jpg

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Yes it is


now they can put it in legoland.:lol:

The designers at Legoland would much rather build this than Swiss RE I suppose :D

Saying that, they did a bloody good job:
http://www.iamgolden.com/wp-content/DSCF0609.JPG

Although the top of OCS looks a bit funny. Perhaps they've started designing future highrises already?

Let's see it here then...
http://www.thelpr.com/images/fullsize/property/P051.jpg

Wow! It looks kind of american, But thats a good thing! It will be good to have our 1st proper spire. And its just such a nice tower in all possible ways. Love the red light on the top of the spire in the night renders too, When all these towers are finished the city will have a new red light district :)

I think the red lights are purely aircraft warning lights, not for decoration, though I may be wrong.

that model is sublime, we may have lost minerva but thank god we're getting this, it looks so streamline from the 3d visualisations.

All quiet on site for the xmas break;

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa278/fit3xl/London393-1.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa278/fit3xl/London392.jpg

^^^ Love those two buildings in the second pic. They look like they could have been the inspiration for the Broadgate complex in the distance.

hopefully they start full on work after christmas. (like the chicago spire)

^ I suppose that depends on how much there is left to remove from the site. I presume there's a fair bit of basement excavation for the foundations so that could take another month or so.

^^^ Love those two buildings in the second pic. They look like they could have been the inspiration for the Broadgate complex in the distance.

Me too, Stone house on the left is going to undergo a refurb as part of the Heron Tower/baby Heron tower scheme, however the building on the right will be pulled down to make way for baby Heron, I'm not too happy.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1364/dw11280x768zq7.jpg

Me too, Stone house on the left is going to undergo a refurb as part of the Heron Tower/baby Heron tower scheme, however the building on the right will be pulled down to make way for baby Heron, I'm not too happy.

Thats a real pity, they are a good match

Me too, Stone house on the left is going to undergo a refurb as part of the Heron Tower/baby Heron tower scheme, however the building on the right will be pulled down to make way for baby Heron, I'm not too happy.

ah so thats the other building that will come down for baby heron tower. thanks.

This has really opened up Bishopsgate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2144539862_3a66dcff33_b.jpg

This has really opened up Bishopsgate.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2144539862_3a66dcff33_b.jpg

Hopefully that island site the nasty building occupies should have a high rise development proposed in the next few years to go with the rest of the emerging cluster.

The Skanska website was updated today...

---


http://www.skanska.co.uk/index.asp?id=10630

2008-01-10 Piling, Archaeology, Services and Traffic


Installation of king posts and contiguous piles

Priority now for the piling rigs is to complete the king posts and contiguous piles to the west (Houndsditch) perimeter and its corners with the north and south perimeters, to release the western portion of the site such that the ground floor can be demolished and work can commence on the construction of temporary skin wall support to Bishopsgate and removal of sufficient of the existing pile caps and piles that supported Bishops House to enable us to install the new piled foundations for this end of the tower.

Construction of skin walls

The skin walls to support the adjacent roads on the east fronatage are now under construction, and on the north side are about to start. As these are cast and propped from the existing basement slab, the existing retaining walls will be demolished freeing the basement for piling preparations.

Preparation for bored piling

Large diameter bored reinforced concrete piles are to be installed in a grid across the site and around the perimater to support the superstructure of the new tower. These will be installed from the existing basement level, To do so it will be necessary to form holes in the existing reinforced concrete foundations through which the rig will bore down into the original ground.

We will be using a coring rig to form initial cuts through the concrete and minise the amount of percussive breaking that needs to be done, but where the concrete is reinforced there is little alternative but to use percussive breaking and oxy/propane cutting. These operations will commence in the New Year and will cause similar noise levels to those experienced during demolition. We will be moritoring the levels closely and have advised the City of London who will no doubt also be monitoring us.

The Irongate main line sewer ran across the site from west to east. The flow was diverted prior to the start of the project, but the brick sewer remains in place. Sections of the sewer which clash with pile positions will be removed and backfilled with a weak cement bound mix, such that the rigs will be able to drill in these locations.

Archaeological investigations

Whilst the Museum of London have completed the two main investigatory trenches, the continue their presence on site continuing a watching brief to monitor the various excavations we are executing as part of the temporary works to ensure that no archaeological information is missed.

Services diversions

EDF have completed their works in the area for the near future, though we understand they have another round of trenching to do in Camomile Street in the first half of next year.

Thames Water have a number of small excavations yet to complete around the site.

Traffic arrangements

We understand that TfL intend to re-surface the Bishopsgate/ Camomile Street/Wormwood Street junction in the early part of 2008.

We have completed sufficient of the temporary retaining wall work along Bishopsgate to allow the hoardings to be moved back to the rear of the footway and re-open the southbound inner lane to traffic.

So what this means is that this tower is now under construction no? Yes, no, yes?

Time to ammend the title.

I think it means temporary piling is getting underway, in which case this should still be classed as demo/prep work.

Under construction/preparation who cares which? It won't go up any faster.

Here is a Diagram explaining King post piles scanned from "Foundation Design & Construction by MJ Tomlinson"

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb264/Daveb_design/Misc/SCAN0081-cropkingpost.jpg

But basically they are installed to hold the cross bracing in place in large excavations, overwise the perimeter piled walls would fail. The floor slabs provide support to the perimeter in the final building, at several levels in a multi level basement, so smaller piles can be used, but in the tempory state the bending forces would be too great, withot additional support.

i don't understand why they are boring through the existing basement to start putting the piles in . why don't they just rip up the old basement floors and start again? wouldnt that avoid making all the noise? what use is having the old basement there? am i missing something?

The existing basement is helping hold up the retaining walls, and the foot print of the building may differ from the existing, reading the post by wjfox above (post 1137). The existing slab is also used to support the temporary perimeter wall, by use of raked props (shores). By the look of it they are making the new basement deeper than the old.
(this synopsis based on the information above, i have not read back through all 40+ pages before, so may be wrong. if any body has link to planning docs more accurate imformaton may be available to form a opinion on the construction sequence and method).

i don't understand why they are boring through the existing basement to start putting the piles in . why don't they just rip up the old basement floors and start again? wouldnt that avoid making all the noise? what use is having the old basement there? am i missing something?


Would you take a wall down to put a hook up for a picture, or just use the wall thats there? ;)

I can just image Time Team in centuries to come, as they dig into the Heron foundations the bearded man with the deep Devonian accent exclaims to great excitement how they have discovered evidence of an earlier building.

I can just image Time Team in centuries to come, as they dig into the Heron foundations the bearded man with the deep Devonian accent exclaims to great excitement how they have discovered evidence of an earlier building.

And then they go ahead and use lame 3D graphics and artists impressions to show what it might have been like.

I wonder what they would come up with :shifty:

surely be that time they'd be dartin back n fourth through the galaxies on their.... stringies or whatever it is that controls time and be able to do live tv shows were they go back to when it was under construction, n then some more to find a dinosaur

Time for a new BusCam photo: here's how the site was looking this lunchtime.

http://web2k.co.uk/?im=1201032227

brilliant, thanks JohnB, that looks like one hell of a big piledriver being rigged up. Site prep or groundworks? I forget the definition. Guess they still have to prop the walls and excavate down.

When is the core scheduled to rise for this beast?

Well from what I have gathered from the various projects in progress at the moment groundworks seem to take about 10-12 months, so because Heron was the first to be demolished and start proper groundworks (though I guess Leadenhall started doing some initial work before Heron) with any luck it could be rising by the end of the year...November maybe. Haven't seen the construction schedule though.

Edit: just realised this was my 2000th post on this site, a banana is called for I think. :banana:

Here's to the next 2000, which I hope will include many praising posts in awe of the magnificent towers gleaming on the London skyline! :cheers:

:banana:


Took some today, need to run up the street and try the bus-cam. maybe keep getting buses back and forth. Got a couple of shots...

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs24/i/2008/023/8/4/Heron_Tower_2_by_JohnnySix.jpg
http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs23/i/2008/023/c/f/Heron_Tower_5_by_JohnnySix.jpg
http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs24/i/2008/023/3/9/Heron_Tower_4_by_JohnnySix.jpg
http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs22/i/2008/023/5/6/Heron_Tower_3_by_JohnnySix.jpg

Bishopsgat is one helluva constcution (destruction) site, cant wait till these towers start to rise!palpertations...

I saw work being undertaken today, I assume that large orange contraption is some form of piling device?

Yeah it was lying down in the bus cam shot and then standing up in the later one!

Now that piling has started, could we change the thread to U/C

I think we should wait till most of the demolision is complete, for example things like the white sheet of death removed.

err the sheet of death is for The Pinnacle not Heron, the site is well... mostly clear

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/5817/h41280x768br7.jpg
By pfarrey (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/pfarrey), shot with DSC-W90 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=DSC-W90&make=SONY) at 2008-01-26

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/4913/h51280x768pm6.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=h51280x768pm6.jpg)http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2281/h31280x768br1.th.jpg (http://img179.imageshack.us/my.php?image=h31280x768br1.jpg)http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3305/h21280x768ez2.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=h21280x768ez2.jpg)http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/5443/h11280x768pa3.th.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/my.php?image=h11280x768pa3.jpg)

Shouldn't it be U/C now?

Prep, I'd say.

PFarrey thanks for your comprehensive set of updates, great stuff :)

Now that piling has started, could we change the thread to U/C
They may have started drilling the hole, but has any concrete been poured?

what is this obsession with changing the status on threads. they wont build it any faster if we do.

Don't be so sure. Watch the workers in the morning called into the site office for an urgent meeting. A concerned site manager explains how they need to speed up work because skyscrapercity has upgraded their thread to U/C. A worried forman at the back asks what will happen it the thread is now moved to T/O!

^^ Once a tower that was nearly completed accidentally had it's status changed from T/O to App. It suddenly vanished from the skyline, and 200 workers who were on site at the time have never been seen again.

^^ ooooo chilling:D

if only it was that easy

that tower looks very good :okay: when will be finished?

that tower looks very good :okay: when will be finished?

You must be a recent poster on UK forums - a regular is more likely to ask 'when will it be started?'

True. But assuming all goes according to plan, I think completion is still scheduled for 2010.

There are so many steps on the way to creating a new building, one of the most important is starting construction. Before that point almost anything can happen. Visions disappear, pre-planning work stops, proposals are withdrawn, planning is refused, approved projects are canceled, finance dries up, sites are sold on. Even during prep work legal and financial difficulties can stop a project dead. This is why construction starting is such an important milestone, it signals all those problems are solved and the building will almost certainly be completed.

Surely this is now under construction?

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7194/h11280x768pr0.jpg

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/2940/h31280x768ka5.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6668/h21280x768wz1.jpg

Wow a hive of activity ;)

Can you believe this?! A site demolished...concrete being poured and piling comencing on a new skyscraper in the centre of London.

Am I dreaming?

Thanks for the update!

Is this just not prep works then, basement clearance and foundations?

As I recall the steelwork/core is not supposed to start until November so still a bit of time yet.

i agree, i think its prep work

Well there's a f**in huge pile driver, driving 3 ft diameter load bearing piles, as far as can be possible, to me this is under construction

Ps i'm in Hong Kong, on the 20th floor of a hotel facing victoria harbour, awsome view.:nuts:

Yes, but aren't they just temporary piles or something to hold things in place while they're excavating down? Let's be patient. They have said April for the start of groundwork. Only a matter of weeks now.

Nice snaps PFarrey! Can't you talk your way onto the site to do some net media coverage or take a ladder to peer over that screening? :D

(First concrete pile = construction)

You have only to look at the other construction threads to see how deep some of these basement works are so surely its got quite a while to go before they start construction.

I should imagine they may be extracting or coring out the existing piles at mo, quite common. Would use the same rigs and casing to do this. By April they would have the old basement slab probed and cleared of obstructions ready for permanent piling to start probably using the same rig

Nice snaps PFarrey! Can't you talk your way onto the site to do some net media coverage or take a ladder to peer over that screening? :D

(First concrete pile = construction)

Thanks. Perhaps its worth me emailing Skanska to see if they would be willing to take some pictures, or as you say do some net media coverage of the site... I will let you know the outcome. As for the ladder, it will require quite a few beers for me to do that i'm afraid, I already feel a like a geek when I stand there taking pictures of building sites, I'm sure the passers by must think I'm mad!

Yes, but aren't they just temporary piles or something to hold things in place while they're excavating down? Let's be patient. They have said April for the start of groundwork. Only a matter of weeks now.

The following was taken from http://www.skanska.co.uk/index.asp?id=10630

Large diameter bored reinforced concrete piles are to be installed in a grid across the site and around the perimater to support the superstructure of the new tower. These will be installed from the existing basement level, To do so it will be necessary to form holes in the existing reinforced concrete foundations through which the rig will bore down into the original ground.

We will be using a coring rig to form initial cuts through the concrete and minise the amount of percussive breaking that needs to be done, but where the concrete is reinforced there is little alternative but to use percussive breaking and oxy/propane cutting. These operations will commence in the New Year and will cause similar noise levels to those experienced during demolition. We will be moritoring the levels closely and have advised the City of London who will no doubt also be monitoring us.


If we look at the photo I took on Monday it looks to me as though they are pilling from the existing basement?

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/6668/h21280x768wz1.jpg

Yes, nice pic and good reminder of what is happening.

Clearly, that's a piling rig on the perimeter of the site, just as that note says. Heron is under construction now. But, not sure if it's a particularly good idea using the old basement as a foundation for the new tower. I guess the builders know what they're doing...

Hmm, I'm still not sure.

Could somebody who works in the City go and speak to one of the workmen on site and find out the exact status? :)

I want to be 100% sure it's u/c before I rename the thread.

From the Skanska Web site:


Heron Tower Key Facts

The Heron Tower development will provide 42,873 square metres of nett internal space providing office accommodation for 4300 staff and comprises:

Three basement levels
Three concourse levels incorporating entrance foyers and retail areas
36 storeys of offices rising from levels 2 to 37

Levels 38-40 will include a public restaurant, bar and conference facilities.

Levels 41-46 - six levels of plant.
Creation of a new pedestrian piazza in Houndsditch Street
Two high-speed double-decker glass lifts will give dedicated access from Bishopsgate to Heron Tower's restaurant facilities @ level 39


And from the works update posted by wjfox a couple of weeks ago about piling works.
It would appear that they are using the existing slab as a piling platform and will then break it out to dig the basement deeper as the above says 3 basement levels for the building. The GF slab may be cast 1st to brace the walls, using plunge columns et in the top of the new piles (inside temp casing sleeves) as per part of the perimeter wall.
Then the old slab broken out in sections with with new LGF slab cast to provide support to the perimeter wall in sections, then the 3rd level completed below that to form the basement slab.
They talk in the updates of bracing the new Kingpost walls off the existing base slab, and braces can be seen in the earlier photos.

I have it fom a reputable source (a guy who is managing construction) that the archaeological dig is taking place towards summer and that hardcore construction will start after this.

Does everyone know about the fish tank btw?

...the archaeological dig is taking place towards summer and that hardcore construction will start after this.


Ha! Typical. Just when we think something's about to happen it gets pushed back another 6 months. I swear this forum will drive me insane one day (if it hasn't already... :crazy2: )

so all that stuff about the archaeolgical dig taking place at the same time as the initial demolitian phrase (they had access straight away between the buildings and no need to investigate under the actual buildings as it was investigated perviously when the old building was being constructed!) was bollocks then... hmmm

Is there any proof? I dont believe it i wont !

I was referring more to that is what we were led to believe rather than the reliability of your source. Perhaps a request was put in for a 2nd dig? From the beginning we knew about the archaeoligical dig but had hoped, rather than knew for certain, that it was completed during the initial demo phase.

I'll be pissed if they find nothing the the archealogical dig.

You can't have piling works going on and basement construction (or should that be reconstruction) and then archaeological digs afterwards. Once the "new" basement is completed, you can't dig it up again! I'll go with what the photo shows.

timetable

http://www.planning.cityoflondon.gov.uk:90/WAM/doc/Page-7?extension=.pdf&page=7&wmTransparency=0&id=104915&wmLocation=0&location=livevolume1&contentType=application%2Fpdf&wmName=&pageCount=129

http://www.planning.cityoflondon.gov.uk:90/WAM/showCaseThumbnail.do;jsessionid=0171A6FB0FF8E43EBC28FF0D50D8AD9E?councilName=Corporation+of+London&appNumber=07%2F01297%2FMDC&docid=104915

so am I right in thinkin that this time next year we should be about 2 or 3 floors up?.. hopefully it won't seem a long time off, but then I'm not going to wish my life away just for the sake of seeing a building go up.. lol,

I thought the core would start to rise november??

Hmm, I'm still not sure.

Could somebody who works in the City go and speak to one of the workmen on site and find out the exact status? :)

I want to be 100% sure it's u/c before I rename the thread.
How about appointing some "Official" Skyscrapercity reporters and photographers ... you know with a fancy badge or card with PRESS written on it. A while back some of the space bloggers did this and now they get invited to NASA briefings.
.

How about appointing some "Official" Skyscrapercity reporters and photographers ... you know with a fancy badge or card with PRESS written on it. A while back some of the space bloggers did this and now they get invited to NASA briefings.
.

COOL!:D

That would be great, if you guys could make it happen.:)

How about appointing some "Official" Skyscrapercity reporters and photographers ... you know with a fancy badge or card with PRESS written on it. A while back some of the space bloggers did this and now they get invited to NASA briefings.
.

Would that be space.com space news? you always here them piping up in the nasa briefings.

According to the info (method statement outline programe in planning app.) posted in link from london-lad above:
item 6 from 11-2-08 for 9 weeks is ex pile removal
item 7 from 21-4-08 for 22 week is Bearing and secant pile construction
item 8 from 30-6-08 for 15 weeks is lower capping beam and pile caps (install)
item 9 from 22-9-08 for 6 weeks is bulk excavation
item 10 from 8-11-08 for 6weeks is steelwork B3 - L2
item 11 from 15-12-08 for 7 weeks is GF slab and upper ground beam
then basement excavation phase 2 starts 9-2-09
edit:
level 3 and upward steel work starts 16-2-09

There is NO specific core mentioned.
Once GF slab goes in It is top down for basement lower levels and erection of the tower on top Simultaneously.

Demolition phase finished in December ( on the programme)
Groundworks started in July but includes temp works.

The programe clearly indicates this IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IMO

:banana:

I think you need to look at item 19 Steelwork and decking for the core construction. It is due to start exectly 1 year from today!!!!!!! and last 55 weeks.
Don't forget this baby does not have a concrete core

I think you need to look at item 19 Steelwork and decking for the core construction. It is due to start exectly 1 year from today!!!!!!! and last 55 weeks.
Don't forget this baby does not have a concrete core[/quote]
On the page im looking at 19 is steelwork and decking L3 to roof for 55 weeks with slab conc following 2 months behind. The steelwork starts as the GF slab construction finishes.
Item 27 = Core toilets and lift lobbies fitout (shaftwall to finals?)

Don't forget this baby does not have a concrete core :yes:
People appear to be expecting a "core" to appear, it does not as the Whole building goes up together, floor by floor (probably with 2 or 3 storey height columns.

Would that be space.com space news? you always here them piping up in the nasa briefings.
Yes, but space news also published a newspaper before they setup their forum. Rob Pearlman operates a blog (http://www.collectspace.com) and a small business and gets invited too with good internal access.

How about appointing some "Official" Skyscrapercity reporters and photographers ... you know with a fancy badge or card with PRESS written on it. A while back some of the space bloggers did this and now they get invited to NASA briefings.
.

Who would be up for doing this? I would... I can do regular updates on Mondays (once a week / fortnight) and once Summer is here I can do evenings as the days are longer. We could also have regular meet ups to do tours of the sites etc.

When is this building supposed to be completed, they shouldn’t be building already?, well not that they shouldn’t, Just I thought it was 2018 or something for the completion of heron?

When is this building supposed to be completed, they shouldn’t be building already?, well not that they shouldn’t, Just I thought it was 2018 or something for the completion of heron?

Skanska's method statement program gives 7/3/2011 for item 33 completion (week 190)

(note this is from program submitted to Planners as part of planing App.)


Note: Tenant fittout will be to a separate program, and can run concurrently with the build following partial handover of floors at lower levels, subject to commissioning of services and access.
This will then continue after Skanska achieves PC to suit Tenant occupation program.

Just a picture i took today while walking past.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9952/dsc0049es7.jpg

That pic shows brand new construction materials (wrapped in plastic) so as far as I'm concerned and already said, this building is under construction. The plan says that too with basement works already underway.

What sort of construction materials?

Doesn't look like any substantial materials, just bags of concrete - all I suspect for the slurry wall and preparing the basement.

I know it's very unlikely but they could still dig out a hole and leave it.

bags of cement

Doesn't look like any substantial materials, just bags of concrete - all I suspect for the slurry wall and preparing the basement.

I know it's very unlikely but they could still dig out a hole and leave it.

Are you suggesting the project remains at the enabling works stage and that construction work has not begun meaningfully?

Basically yes, it's not under construction yet, almost, this is all simply foundation prep. When the steelwork starts going then it will be u/c.

Heron International have relaunched their website.

http://www.heroninternational.co.uk

The tower "will be completed by the first quarter of 2011."

OK, I know it makes no differance to the construction program, but we can't really call this a demo thread any more, there is nothing left to demolish, and all the work that is going on is to do with ( despite the doom mongers as usual) the impending construction of the tower.
If we are not going to call it anything else than just take the demo off the end of the thread

Basically yes, it's not under construction yet, almost, this is all simply foundation prep. When the steelwork starts going then it will be u/c.
Buildings need foundations without foundations they dont work very well unless very light weight/temporary structures.
When you start building foundations you are have started construction ! Contractors don't build foundations without a specific building to go on top of then. They are designed specifically for a building.
Demolition is a separate Entity as till the old structure has gone You cannot put a new one up, but you can change what is built on the site at that stage.
But with a basement were do you draw the line ?
As complete removal of the old structure would result in the surrounding streets falling in. But one you have started building new retaining walls outside the existing basement you are building a new structure. Putting piles in are a new structure, if they are to be incorporated into the new building.
Also a Piling rig is not Demolition equipment, and the contractors are different.

If this is not under construction can Somebody explain the reason why this is so, as steelwork is several items down on my program when building a new structure / Building.

:dunno:

Some pics from tower 42 on sunday

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2274536985_9857e0e4a7_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2274537687_6be046dd4f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2275331190_cfd681e204_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2406/2274537265_1679e08585_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2274537143_39f5380db7_o.jpg

From those photos (great btw) there still looks like a fair bit of groundwork to do, fair enough thou I agree this should now been moved to in "prep".

Fantastic veiw there cstubies :applause:

From these photo will have to agree with rickster2k that it still looks more prep than construction as its abomb site down there.
New sections of Kingpost wall visible to RHS and infront of forklift (hiden by crane boom partially). The bage look like probably grout as ther is amixer / pump unit next to them.
May be a pile in the bottom lhs corner with fences round in top picture and just of shot in last one (fences visable)

There is a small drilling rig at far RHS and the reinforcing cages for the pile's laid at the side of it. The Two square boes in top rh corner are the new Temp sub stations for the neighbouring buildings till new ones built in the basement.
In the top picture (to the left of richer sounds) you can see the temp bridge over the road from the site offices and access stair down to site.

You've probably been asked this a million times already, but how far is this one away from actual construction (above ground)?

CStubbies, excellent contributions there - many thanks.

Great pictures cstubies.

You've probably been asked this a million times already, but how far is this one away from actual construction (above ground)?
Steel work is due to appear in November but starts in the basements.
Steelwork for main tower appears as has been said at top of page from FEB 09 for L3 upwards

Cheers Dozey.

Nothing to report really.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2298599464_f6f66e6bc7_b.jpg

That photo is just asking for a caption, how about:

"You guys finished that building or do you need a bit more time?"

or: ' My ticket says gate 3, but can I find my seat?'

Before I leave are you lot sure we don't need anything else from Jewsons..

"errr...just looked at the plans...seems we should have been next door"

" Would you like a copy of WatchTower"

Interesting fact. Did you know that Gerald Ronson (property magnate) is the uncle of Mark Ronson (unworthy Brit award winner)?

Interesting fact. Did you know that Gerald Ronson (property magnate) is the uncle of Mark Ronson (unworthy Brit award winner)?

Hmmm - don't think much of that as a caption :)

Interesting fact. Did you know that Gerald Ronson (property magnate) is the uncle of Mark Ronson (unworthy Brit award winner)?
More insider dealing perhaps :lol:

Since both the Kempson House and the Bishops House have received their wings, they should probably get to the groundwork later this year. I sense some groundwouk, but the thred title still reads Demo.

maybe it should read - ' preparation '

Demo/prep/U/C who cares - it ain't gonna go up any quicker..

Photos would help to see some action if anybody can get a vantage point of the site PLease :okay:

I read today that Hilton Hotels had been in talks with Ronson about the possibility of opening a Waldorf Astoria in the tower, but the talks came to nothing.
They are looking for a landmark building in the city to open the hotel in.

Somebody please tell them about the Pinnacle