Heron tower tops out

The Heron tower, currently the tallest building in London, topped out today at a ceremony held by the developer, Heron International and main contractor, Skanska.

The event took place on site at 110 Bishopsgate, where Heron International chief executive Gerald Ronson revealed that instead of a traditional conifer, an olive tree - the international symbol of peace - will be planted to commemorate the topping out of the structure.

The Heron tower is 202m high and will be finished with a 28-metre mast giving an overall height of 230m.

The 46-storey development, which is being constructed by Skanska and is on schedule to be completed in February 2011, will provide 40,836 sq m of commercial office space with a public restaurant and skybar on floors 38-40.

The building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ronson said: “Today we begin the countdown to completion that is less than 50 weeks away. Whether this is by luck or judgment, I believe that Heron Tower has come to market at the right time.

“As we top out today, Heron tower is the tallest building in the City of London - I am sure that others will grow up around it that are taller. However, I am confident that this will remain the finest office development of its kind in the City of London for many years to come.”

Johan Karlström, president and chief executive of Skanska, thanked the design and construction team and the supply chain for their work on the project and said: “Successful buildings do not happen by chance.”

He added: “I look forward to completion in the New Year, when the Heron Tower will become London’s newest and tallest landmark building in the heart of the City.”