Superstructure completed on latest London landmark

As 2012 came to an end, another of London’s landmark construction projects hit an important milestone.

The project, known popularly as the Walkie-Talkie, saw its final superstructure steel beam put in place, marking a real step in the right direction for the Viñoly scheme.

Hit by the recession, the project has been on and off more times than the devices from which it gets it moniker. The superstructure completion of the 160-metre building seems to put on course an opening set for the end of 2013 though.

The building, located at 20 Fenchurch Street, gets its names from its shape, which flares out from the base to the top. Its innovative design provides the upper concrete floors with a good deal more space.

At the very top and across the two floors below, a stunning sky garden will also be created. Open to the public and residents of the building alike, it is hoped it will become something of a City of London tourist destination in the summer months.

It is the impressive 64,000 square metres of office space that is all important though, with the larger upper floorplates allowing for design on a mammoth scale.

The concrete flooring makes up just a tiny amount of the concrete that has already been poured into the construction though. As well as taking 28,000 cubic metres in its foundations, more than 30 piles have also been installed.

Such a firm footing should ensure that, while its design will make people talk, its footings should not walk too far when the final project is delivered.