This list of the tallest buildings and structures in London ranks skyscrapers and towers in the city of London, United Kingdom by height. The tallest structure in London is the 50-storey One Canada Square, which rises 235 metres (771 ft) in Canary Wharf and was completed in 1991.[1] It also stands as the tallest building in the United Kingdom and the 11th-tallest building in Europe. The second-tallest structure in London is the 219-metre (720 ft) Crystal Palace transmitting station, which was completed in 1950.[2]
The history of structures in London began with the completion of the 27-metre (90 ft) White Tower, a part of the Tower of London, in 1098.[3][4] The first structure to surpass a height of 100 metres (328 ft) was Old St Paul's Cathedral. Completed in 1310, the cathedral stood at a height of 150 metres (493 ft).[5] It was the world's tallest structure until 1311, when its height was surpassed by Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England.[5] It regained the title when the spire of the Lincoln Cathedral fell in 1549.[6] Although the spire of the Old St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed by lightning on 4 June 1561, it still stood as the tallest structure in London,[6] while the world's tallest structure became the Strasbourg Cathedral in Strasbourg, France.[6] The Old St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed by the Great Fire of London in September 1666.[5] The title of tallest structure in London passed to the Southwark Cathedral, which stands at a height of 50 metres (163 ft).[7] No structure in London rose above 100 metres (328 ft) until 1710 when the current St Paul's Cathedral was completed. Rising 111 metres (365 ft), the cathedral is the tallest place of worship in London and the largest Protestant cathedral in the world.[8] It remained as the tallest structure in London for 229 years until the construction of the Battersea Power Station in 1939.[9]
Despite its long history, London has not been the location of many skyscrapers. This is due to strict regulations on building heights to preserve its protected views, especially those of St Paul's Cathedral, the Tower of London and Westminster Palace.
The lifting of the height restriction caused a boom in the construction of tall buildings during the 1960s. One of London's first notable tall buildings was the 117-metre (380 ft) Centre Point, completed in 1966. The NatWest Tower followed in 1980, which at 183 metres (600 ft) became London's first genuine "skyscraper" by international standards. It was followed in 1991 by the 235-metre (770 ft) One Canada Square, which formed the centrepiece of the Canary Wharf development. Following a 10-year gap, several new skyscrapers appeared on London's skyline: 8 Canada Square, 25 Canada Square, the Heron Quays buildings, the Barclays headquarters and the award-winning 30 St Mary Axe. Some of the awards given to 30 St Mary Axe include the Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2003[10] and the RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2004.[11] As of June 2008, there are 1,384 completed high-rises in the city.[12] This is more than any other city in the United Kingdom, and third in Europe behind Moscow and Istanbul.[13]
There are 13 structures under construction in London that will rise at least 100 metres (328 ft) in height. The tallest of these is the Bishopsgate Tower, which is expected to rise 288 metres (945 ft) upon completion in 2012.[14] It would become the tallest building in London and the United Kingdom. Out of the 26 buildings approved for construction in London, the tallest is the 310-metre (1,017 ft) Shard London Bridge which will rise 72 floors upon expected completion in 2012.[15]
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This list ranks London skyscrapers and free-standing towers that stand at least 100 metres (328 ft) tall. Existing structures are included for ranking purposes based on present height.
Rank | Name | Height metres / ft |
Floors | Year | Notes |
1 | One Canada Square | 235 / 771 | 50 | 1991 | 196th-tallest building in the world, 11th-tallest building in Europe, tallest building in the United Kingdom. Tallest building in the United Kingdom since 1991. Tallest structure completed in London in the 1990s.[1][16] |
2 | Crystal Palace transmitting station | 219 / 720 | N/A | 1950 | Tallest structure completed in London in the 1950s.[2][17] |
3= | 8 Canada Square | 200 / 655 | 45 | 2002 | 18th-tallest building in Europe, second-tallest building in the United Kingdom.[18][19] |
3= | 25 Canada Square | 200 / 655 | 45 | 2002 | 18th-tallest building in Europe, second-tallest building in the United Kingdom.[20][21] |
5 | BT Tower | 191 / 625 | 34 | 1962 | Tallest building completed in London in the 1960s.[22][23] |
6 | Tower 42 | 183 / 600 | 42 | 1980 | 28th-tallest building in Europe, fourth-tallest building in the United Kingdom. Tallest structure completed in London in the 1980s.[24][25] |
7 | 30 St Mary Axe | 180 / 590 | 40 | 2003 | 31st-tallest building in Europe, fifth-tallest building in the United Kingdom.[26][27] |
8 | Broadgate Tower | 161 / 529 | 35 | 2008 | 49th-tallest building in Europe.[28][29] |
9 | One Churchill Place | 156 / 513 | 32 | 2004 | Seventh-tallest building in the United Kingdom.[30][31] |
10= | Croydon transmitting station | 153 / 502 | N/A | 1964 | [32][33] |
10= | 25 Bank Street | 153 / 502 | 33 | 2003 | Eighth-tallest building in the United Kingdom.[34][35] |
10= | 40 Bank Street | 153 / 502 | 33 | 2003 | Eighth-tallest building in the United Kingdom.[36][37] |
13 | 10 Upper Bank Street | 151 / 495 | 32 | 2003 | Tenth-tallest building in the United Kingdom.[38][39] |
14 | Pan Peninsula East Tower* | 147 / 484 | 48 | 2008 | Under construction; this building was topped out in September 2007.[40][41] |
15 | Guy's Tower | 143 / 469 | 34 | 1974 | Tallest all-hospital building in the world. Tallest structure completed in London in the 1970s.[42][43] |
16 | London Eye | 135 / 443 | N/A | 1999 | The world's tallest ferris wheel until the completion of the Star of Nanchang in 2006. Contains the highest public viewing point in London.[44][45] |
17 | Wembley Stadium | 133 / 436 | 6 | 2007 | Tallest stadium in the world.[46][47] |
18 | CityPoint | 127 / 417 | 36 | 1967 | [48][49] |
19 | Willis Building | 125 / 410 | 26 | 2007 | [50][51] |
20 | Euston Tower | 124 / 408 | 36 | 1970 | [52][53] |
21= | Cromwell Tower | 123 / 404 | 42 | 1973 | [54][55] |
21= | Lauderdale Tower | 123 / 404 | 43 | 1974 | [56][57] |
21= | Shakespeare Tower | 123 / 404 | 43 | 1976 | [58][59] |
24 | Pan Peninsula West Tower* | 122 / 400 | 39 | 2008 | Under construction; this building is topped out.[60][61] |
25 | Millbank Tower | 119 / 390 | 33 | 1963 | [62][63] |
26 | Aviva Tower | 118 / 387 | 28 | 1969 | [64][65] |
27= | Centre Point | 117 / 385 | 35 | 1967 | [66][67] |
27= | Empress State Building | 117 / 385 | 31 | 1961 | Originally stood at a height of 100 metres (328 ft) before a height extension in 2003.[68][69] |
29 | Battersea Power Station | 113 / 370 | 10 | 1953 | [70][9] |
30 | St Paul's Cathedral | 111 / 364 | N/A | 1710 | Tallest place of worship in London. Tallest structure completed in London in the 1700s.[8][71] |
31= | King's Reach Tower | 108 / 354 | 34 | 2004 | [72][73] |
31= | 1 West India Quay | 108 / 354 | 36 | 2004 | [74][75] |
33 | Shell Centre | 107 / 351 | 26 | 1961 | [76][77] |
34 | 33 Canada Square | 105 / 344 | 18 | 1999 | [78][79] |
35= | 99 Bishopsgate | 104 / 340 | 26 | 1976 | [80][81] |
35= | Ontario Tower | 104 / 340 | 29 | 2007 | [82][83] |
37 | Victoria Tower | 102 / 336 | N/A | 1858 | World's tallest non-religious building in the world upon completion. Tallest structure completed in London in the 1800s.[84][85] |
38 | Portland House | 101 / 333 | 29 | 1963 | [86][87] |
39 | The London Hilton on Park Lane | 101 / 331 | 29 | 1963 | [88][89] |
40 | SELCHP | 100 / 328 | N/A | 1994 | [90] |
* Indicates still under construction, but has been topped out
This lists buildings that are under construction in London and are planned to rise at least 100 metres (328 ft). Under construction buildings that have already been topped out are also included.
Name | Height metres / ft |
Floors | Year (est.) | Notes |
Bishopsgate Tower | 288 / 945 | 64 | 2012 | Also known as The Pinnacle.[14][91] |
Heron Tower | 246 / 806 | 47 | 2011 | [92][93] |
Riverside South Tower 1 | 236 / 772 | 45 | 2012 | [94][95] |
The Leadenhall Building | 225 / 737 | 50 | 2012 | [96][97] |
Riverside South Tower 2 | 189 / 618 | 34 | 2012 | [98][99] |
Pan Peninsula East Tower | 147 / 484 | 48 | 2008 | This building was topped out in September 2007, becoming the 12th-tallest building in London.[40][41] |
Strata | 147 / 482 | 43 | 2010 | [100][101] |
The Landmark East Tower | 140 / 457 | 44 | 2010 | [102][103] |
Pan Peninsula West Tower | 122 / 400 | 39 | 2008 | This building is topped out and now stands as the 19th-tallest building in London.[60][61] |
Arrowhead | 114 / 373 | 25 | 2010 | [104][105] |
Nido Spitalfields | 112 / 367 | 34 | 2010 | Also known as 100 Middlesex Street.[106][107] |
Pioneer Point North | 105 / 343 | 31 | 2010 | [108][109] |
Skylon | 100 / 328 | 25 | 2009 | [110][111] |
This lists buildings that are approved for construction in London and are planned to rise at least 100 metres (328 ft).
Name | Height metres / ft |
Floors | Year* (est.) | Notes |
Shard London Bridge | 310 / 1,017 | 72 | 2012 | [15][112] Site Demolition |
North Quay Tower 1 | 216 / 708 | 44 | [113][114] | |
Wood Wharf | 206 / 676 | 51 | ||
North Quay Tower 3 | 203 / 667 | 38 | [115][116] | |
Heron Quays West | 198 / 649 | 33 | [117][118] | |
One Park Place | 197 / 648 | 45 | 2012 | [119][120] |
Wood Wharf | 187 / 618 | 45 | ||
Wood Wharf | 182 / 598 | 40+ | ||
St George Wharf Tower | 181 / 593 | 49 | 2011 | [121][122] |
100 Bishopsgate | 165 / 542 | 39 | 2014 | [123][124] |
Croydon Gateway Arena Block A | 163 / 535 | 40 | [125] | |
20 Fenchurch Street | 160 / 525 | 39 | 2010 | [126][127] Site Demolition |
Ruskin Square Building | 159 / 521 | 26 | [128] | |
Wood Wharf | 154 / 503 | 30+ | ||
The Blade | 150 / 491 | 44 | 2012 | [129][130] Site Prep |
Baltimore Wharf Building 1 | 150 / 492 | 46 | 2012 | [131][132] |
Wellesley Square Block F | 149 / 488 | 44 | 2010 | [133] |
20 Blackfriars Road Residential Tower | 133 / 438 | 43 | 2011 | [134][135]Public Inquiry |
360-London | 142 / 464 | 44 | 2010 | [136] |
The Quebec Building | 136 / 448 | 44 | [137] | |
Croydon Vocational Tower | 134 / 439 | 29 | [138] | |
150 High Street Stratford Block A | 132 / 433 | 43 | [139] | |
Wood Wharf | 128 / 418 | 30+ | ||
Lots Road South Tower | 122 / 400 | 37 | 2010- | [140][141] |
North Quay Tower 2 | 120 / 393 | 18 | [142][143] | |
Wood Wharf | 119 / 389 | 30+ | ||
Elizabeth House North Tower | 117 / 383 | 33 | 2012 | |
City Road Basin Site C | 115 / 377 | 35 | [144][145] | |
Wood Wharf | 113 / 370 | 25+ | ||
The Heron | 112 / 367 | 35 | 2011 | [146] Site Cleared |
Walbrook Square Building 1 | 107 / 350 | 22 | 2010 | [147] Being redesigned |
Elizabeth House South Tower | 107 / 350 | 20 | 2012 | |
20 Blackfriars Road Office Tower | 105 / 343 | 24 | [148][149] Public Inquiry | |
Trinity Building 3 | 100 / 327 | 25 | 2012 | [150] On Hold |
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding a building's expected year of completion has not yet been released.
This lists buildings that are proposed for construction in London and are planned to rise at least 100 metres (328 ft).
Name | Height metres / ft |
Floors* | Year* (est.) | Notes |
Battersea Power Station Redevelopment | 300 / 985 | - | 2020 | [151] |
Columbus Tower | 237 / 778 | |||
The Pride | 209 / 683 | 61 | 2012 | [152] |
Beetham Tower | 165 / 541 | 51 | 2012 | [153][154] |
Bishops Place Building 3 | 164 / 539 | 51 | [155] | |
Ram Brewery Tower 1 | 145 / 456 | 42 | [156] | |
Newfoundland | 145 / 475 | 37 | [157] | |
The Leaf Block F | 138 / 453 | 49 | [158] | |
Victoria Interchange Building 2 | 134 / 440 | 42 | [159] | |
Victoria Interchange Building 7 | 134 / 440 | 42 | [160] | |
70-100 City Road Block A | 131 / 430 | 39 | 2010 | [161] |
Clapham Junction Tower 2 | 127 / 417 | 40 | 2012 | [162] |
Bishops Place Building 2 | 126 / 414 | 32 | [163] | |
Helix-London Building B | 117 / 384 | 36 | [164] | |
St. John's Tower | 116 / 382 | 30 | [165] | |
Ram Brewery Tower 2 | 114 / 374 | 32 | [166] | |
4-5 South Quay Square | 100 / 328 | 30 | [167] |
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding a building's expected year of completion has not yet been released.
This lists free-standing structures that once held the title of tallest structure in London.
Name | Location | Years as tallest | Height metres / ft |
Floors | Reference |
White Tower | Tower Hill | 1098–1310 | 27 / 90 | N/A | [4] |
Old St Paul's Cathedral[A] | City of London | 1310–1666 | [B] | 150 / 493N/A | [5] |
Southwark Cathedral | Southwark | 1666–1677 | 50 / 163 | N/A | [168] |
Monument to the Great Fire of London | City of London | 1677–1683 | 62 / 202 | N/A | [169] |
St Mary-le-Bow | Cheapside | 1683–1710 | 72 / 236 | N/A | [170] |
St Paul's Cathedral | City of London | 1710–1939 | 111 / 365 | N/A | [71] |
Battersea Power Station | Kirtling Street | 1939–1950 | 113 / 370 | 10 | [9] |
Crystal Palace transmitting station | Crystal Palace Park | 1950–1991 | 219 / 720 | N/A | [2] |
One Canada Square | Canary Wharf | 1991–present | 235 / 771 | 50 | [16] |
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