Why No One Wants This London Skyscraper

[@gavinlambert1129]

1 the undershaft, soon to be joined by frenulum tower and perineum heights

[@doublej1076]

Across the Thames from the Shart, according to our host.

[@stsensual]

Sounds like they're really going to taint the skyline.

[@dpoet3655]

English is not my first language and undershaft makes me think of phallus

[@74_Green]

hahahah on Gouch Corner

[@ten_tego_teges]

That terrace will allegedly feature a great view of Knobs End.

[@maxafc4695]

I used to work in St Helens, it is a basic outdated office building, it really does not need preserving and no one will miss it

[@a1white]

Maybe a modern refurbishment would be helpful then. The construction style is unique, as explained in the video and architecturally it’s a good example of the style of the time.its height is not overly oppressive either, which is important in that location

[@benusmaximus3601]

It looks hidious anyway - just like the Natwest Tower 42 - the 1960s weren't a great time for skyscraper construction, the black exterior is just so depressing...

[@sarahlouise7163]

@@benusmaximus3601 the proposed building is 10x uglier

[@sarahlouise7163]

alrighty

[@supersuede91]

It looks like a relic of the 1990s - get it the hell outta here

[@RH1812]

There’s a need for office space in London? I thought there were loads of empty offices?

[@danielwhyatt3278]

Exactly. I thought it was completely opposite now. What on earth is going on?

[@spaceghost4474]

It's basically the same thing that's happening in New York. These projects are basically places for the Ultra rich to bury money. If you look at BILLIONAIRES ROW in New York, you'll see that many of those buildings are 70 to 80 percent empty. Many of the new office buildings are the same.

[@seafighter4]

​@@danielwhyatt3278B1M is a pretty-pictures channel more focussed on telling a story than telling the truth. I wouldn't focus too much on what they are claiming.

[@lodgin]

@@danielwhyatt3278 Employers dragging their employees back to the office, probably

[@leohickey4953]

When HSBC move out of their tower at Canary Wharf, the plan is to turn it into flats. One Canada Square only has a fraction of the occupancy it had pre-Covid; same story in several of the buildings in the City. There really doesn't seem to be any great demand for more tall buildings in London, but they keep wanting to build them.

[@keeperofthecheese]

For me, the most controversial thing about this skyscraper is how extremely dull its design is. At 6:30 you DEFINITELY said "The Shart" XD

[@Yasin_Affandi]

Yes, modern highrise buildings and skyscrapers could be a design from a cookie cutter with different coatings. But have you seen some of the skyscrapers in KL, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The most iconic is the Petronas Twin Towers, 451 metres high, completed in 1998, it's really beautiful especially at night and the latest is Merdeka 118 Tower, with a height of 679 metres, structure completed in 2023, the 2nd tallest building in the world. Even the Telekom Tower is quite unique and beautiful. 😀

[@SniffieBear]

"equaling the shart" that's what I heard too.

[@althejazzman]

Huhu. You said "shart"

[@jackhamrogue9708]

💩

[@michaelcoulson2686]

These super high skyscrapers need to be unique in design. The proposal of this building is unimpressive.

[@zlozlozlo]

Maybe they could start by changing the name. "One Undershaft" is quite possibly the worst name for a building I've ever heard.

[@KingFinnch]

it's the address, the street is called undershaft

[@zlozlozlo]

@@KingFinnch yea I get that, but there is no law stating that the building has to be named after the street. The Shard is not on Shard Street.

[@MissionHomeowner]

It is historical and literary. Remember GB Shaw's Andrew Undershaft? Great name, would make me rent there rather than at a less distinguished name, all other things being equal.

[@andyalder7910]

@@MissionHomeowner Maybe he was named after St Andrew Undershaft Church which the street is named after.

[@JimTheFly]

I thought the one in my town on Avenue B was bad: The Building On B. No, seriously, that's what they called it during construction. Then they just changed it to the name of the cross-street and "West", IIRC, once it was built

[@BenLuis732]

I’m a contractor that works for a company that looks after most of the office blocks in the centre of London. And I can confirm that the majority of space is still empty after Covid and does not look like it will fill up soon.

[@d.b.cooper1]

@@bill9540 ***It's a prime location & key tennants like rest of the firms are now focussed on downsizing with a focus on quality over quantity. Just like the building this office will replace, a lot of the London skyscrapers are very old with a nice glass facade, high running costs & worse facilities than newer places. Hence why globally the new office skyscrapers haven't seized.

[@AL-lh2ht]

How are people confused about not all office space being the same?

[@Azmodaeus49]

Nuts how they thought it was a good idea to go ahead build these things (smh), btw I live very close to the city of London and some of these sky scrapers are a eye sore😂😂😂

[@dannyward673]

Ben the majority of office space that is vacant in the sq mile is not solely due to the pandemic. All office space must meet new requirements such as well being and most importantly central government energy efficiency grade. This must be met by 2030 or major penalties will incur along with key tenants not wanting to touch that space. That means all the empty office space you see is in fact the owners deciding if it’s feasible to spend that sort of money on the asset or sell it on for someone else to do it. Actually there is a demand for office space at present and you will see major construction activity incoming within the coming years to meet that energy efficiency requirement. It will peak around 2028.

[@craigfroude8109]

Agreed. I own a fit out comapny in central London and demand for office space is low.. ISG going under is just the start…

[@raytrevor1]

Ever growing need for office space? I understood that many London offices were now empty and unrentable due to working from home?

[@Mabstube]

Precisely

[@zSion]

nope

[@theinternetofrandomthings7796]

What's happened is a centralisation of the office demands, and this is for high quality offices. A lot of the older stock is very poor on environmental and energy efficiency requirements, and is either sitting empty, or up for redevelopment. This redevelopment is often challenging as some buildings are listed, or in conservation areas.

[@minhajnizam5090]

Alot of old offices have closed down. Newer ones are more environmentally friendly and have more modern amenities

[@d.b.cooper1]

Nope, a lot of employers clamped down on wfh a while ago, (even those who said they wouldn't) The focus is now back on quality over quantity when it comes to office space. I've seen this from central London right through to Newcastle. Even firms that have hybrid wfh need newer but smaller offices that are cheaper to run but are modern/high quality.

[@Azeria]

0:11 I definitely read that as Thundershaft which is frankly a much cooler name

[@yash.mahadik]

True

[@mattwoodard2535]

Not the only one. sm

[@GenX-jedi]

Wast that in Jeff Wayne’s war of the worlds 😂

[@matthook2530]

Thundershaft should be put forward.

[@NicolasMignan]

The previous design for this skyscraper was so much better

[@TedJM]

i agree, the trellace design had so much more style compared with the spoon

[@superman_69703]

I was going to make this exact comment

[@AnonymousCapybara2050]

@@bill9540 More like the John Hancock Center which has the cross bracing running up it.

[@DomGaccioli]

The original design reminds me of the Bow Tower in Calgary AB, Canada. Quite a pretty building, although only 238m tall.

[@FoxOnFilm2209]

The new on looks like a tower block from the 70s

[@Jhetx]

Most impressive thing here is that the top floor is actually being used! Well done!

[@mikethespike7579]

The building hasn't even been erected yet. How on earth can its top floor be used?

[@Jhetx]

@@mikethespike7579 in the concept / design you slower than a sloth, butter for brains, IQ as low the ground where cows walk and waht the matter consists of…. You actually got worked up over this?

[@Incab]

Just a render. If it does go like that then a lot of it will be walled off. The condensers alone need massive space and aren't in the image on top. The compressors are LOUD when they go on and have to be on one of the top floors. The piping, plumbing, elevator shafts.. it goes on. If the top floor is a viewing center then where is it all going?

[@eddiewalpole]

​@@Incab All that stuff can be on technical floors below the top one I presume.

[@Incab]

@@eddiewalpole Condensers have to be outside. For buildings like that the pumps running them huge are insanely loud. Compressors also are huge and insanely loud. Got to get water up to the top of the building and that requires huge pumps. The noise from both can be heard on the floor below. Same as elevator stuff. That has to be above though not really loud. Unless the main cable breaks and then the whole building can hear it. A top floor like in the picture like that would have to be stairs up only. You'd still need equipment shacks on top. Wi-fi, antennas, lightning rods, line of sight senders and receivers, dishes and so forth.

[@fettywap1738]

What a name. Undershaft

[@Beauloqs]

When it's done. 'shafted'.

[@andyalder7910]

Goes back to a 15th century Maypole.

[@wafflexboy]

By the same people who brought you the Shart

[@beejereeno2]

ikr? 😬

[@Azmodaeus49]

😂😂😂😂

[@zaturntarto3814]

I would say, this ad placement on this video about Allianz is the best and I watched that ad fully, it never felt like a random out of the video ad.

[@althejazzman]

It's also not your usual VPN / meal plan sponsor!

[@terminationshock1356]

4:57 That's Catania, Sicily for anyone interested. The enclosed overpass is where the clausure nuns would walk to get from the monastery to the church on the other side of the street. The street pavement is made of lava tiles, hence the dark color

[@Parakeet-pk6dl]

I think developers and architects should start by designing buildings that are pretty. With projects like the Singer Building, there was also a benefit to those just walking by...

[@TheB1M]

💯

[@kod-s]

Developers always prioritise more square meters over quality square meters. The architects are ultimately the servants of the developers and just follow suit. All the decore, quality materials, and creature comforts will fly off the project in round one of value engineering.

[@Parakeet-pk6dl]

@@kod-s Well then it's quite logical that people start protesting. I think we should do that a lot more to be honest; I don't understand why we accept money to destroy the beauty of our cities...

[@johnperic6860]

@@kod-s@kod-s Well, that's not true; if it was, you wouldn't see buildings given complex and expensive to build designs, such as the Gherkin or the Walkie-Talkie. Even this building's design has a gigantic cantilever, which is notoriously expensive to build.

[@SuperErickelrojo]

Bring Art-Deco back, please!!

[@KSweeney36]

I loved when I drove past Amsterdam on holiday earlier this year. The buildings that I could see from the motorway were all different and unique and looked amazing. All the new buildings in London and Manchester are just variations of a glass box.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

'Should have gone to SpecSavers' comes to mind....

[@chikken_soup]

London skyline will forever be marred by the walkie talkie

[@frippp66]

yes it is very ugly

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

Correct it's probably the worst building in the world

[@henryglennon3864]

​@@DewtbArenatsizBoston City Hall would like to have a word.

[@cmw3737]

The Walkie Talkie is like the sore thumb of the city but 22 Bishopsgate is far worse, the tallest building that ruins the varied curves of the gherkin and other shapes of the skyline by blocking half of it with a giant rectangular slab, especially if you're viewing it from the west.

[@etrur2595]

@@cmw3737 The Lloyds Tower's probably my favourite out of the lot tof be fair, has a unique design but also not offensively tall either

[@DavidS5118]

This part of London has almost no sun light due to all the tall buildings. Maybe that is just not important anymore (business over environment) but I think in the long run it matters.

[@zoeredadams]

noone lives there, if it was residential that'd be more of an issue

[@JohnFromAccounting]

I think it's probably fine considering the City of London is not a residential area. The main reason they're not getting sunlight is because they're in Britain.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Nice fantasy story, thanks for sharing.

[@nicksurface3513]

When has London ever had sun light?

[@StufffTV]

Was in the shard this year already seemed like enormously high, now another one the same height? Damn, took some beautiful pictures that city, London really has a beautiful skyline

[@TedJM]

i feel it only looks silly due to standing on its own 1 undershaft looks sensible because some of the surrounding buildings are 250m+ so it actually fits in

[@justinh3d]

I've been craving a walkie talkie sandwich so badly!

[@rabbit251]

The effect of suggestive psychology. A red bicycle would be useful around town.

[@toystmusic]

Not sure about “growing need for office space”, feels more like a fire sale post-covid

[@masterbarnard]

Perhaps you could say there's a growing need for more high end office space though.

[@d.b.cooper1]

Wfh is really a hybrid model at even the most forward thinking firms that once said wfh was here to stay. Everyone now wants to downsize, with a focus on quality over quantity, which often is cheaper than older arrangements. There's defo a fire sale in the old places left behind, but the demand for newer stuff is still there. And generally being back in the office trend will only grow, even if for 1-3 days a week.

[@thevannmann]

Plenty of cities around the world are growing in need of premium office space.

[@andyhall7032]

maybe in canary wharf...not in the city...it's doing just fine.

[@mariusvanc]

Tons of old office space around. Premium and high end, not so much.

[@stanvanillo9831]

8:41 if those windows are 3m tall then those people are between 40cm and 100cm tall

[@bill9540]

Exactly, good point👍

[@henryglennon3864]

Also, maximum manufacturable window size is determined by area. If the window are 3m tall, then they probably can't be as wide as shown. Even if they can be manufactured, they'd be crazy stupid expensive.

[@ryanf6530]

Looks great. Love the City of London skyline. Having historical buildings is nice but you've got to build for the future.

[@garryferrington811]

If you could just get rid of St. Paul's you could erect another steel-and-glass tower. And then there's Buckingham Palace and all those parks! Clear 'em out and build, build, build!

[@NormanGaming196]

@@garryferrington811 So dramatic, they are literally replacing a crap tower with a better one, how is that a problem or comparable to knocking down history

[@keithwarrington2430]

whatever you choose to build is " for the future" duh

[@blue_1247]

fred's getting huge 💪

[@georgeealien]

After watching a lot of B1M videos lately, I've realized modern architects really love exposed support beams at the base of skyscrapers, a staircase-like design and so many green terraces dotted about.

[@Q3hero]

don't forget glass

[@michelbruns]

i love londons mix of old and new buildings

[@FoxOnFilm2209]

Same here

[@tomfoster29]

'Undershaft' lol

[@malavoy1]

Only in England.

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

Bring back gr0pe-c*** lane

[@longiusaescius2537]

@_chocky England? Don't you mean India?

[@fly463]

​@@longiusaescius2537 he meant Algeria

[@andrewmarkham]

⁠@@_chockyIt’s named after the maypole that used to be placed outside the church (I work there).

[@williamlloyd3769]

Surprised there are enough companies willing to sign leases for construction to start. Who are the anchor tenants?

[@d.b.cooper1]

Still too early for any public deals, but ngl they'll deffo find a big tenant & few others. Office space/rent is a tiny cost to many big firms, simply a way to show off to others/attract top talent etc. They'll factor in a high vacancy rate for the first decade or so I imagine. The other public uses of the space could pay dividends in that time instead. The social, event space scence in London in skyscrapers has always been big.

[@ergophonic]

I like this presenter. Very down to earth considering how much he talks about skyscrapers.

[@JScot92]

Why does Canary Wharf's skyline always look so much more impressive than the City of London's? I can't put my finger on why the City's skyline looks so underwhelming.

[@evo_ds1946]

The skyscrapers in the city are clustered too close together, while Canary Wharfs have breathing room

[@joshua92jeffery]

The funky designs don't help. Canary wharf looks like a businesslike, functional place where serious people go to get shit done. The City on the other hand looks like someone went wild playing Cities: Skylines.

[@iliamanolov5926]

You could make arguments for both skylines really. Canary Wharf definitely looks tidier but it kinda blends in with all the other business districts in the world since it doesn't really have anything unique going for it. The City meanwhile looks like it developed a lot more naturally and it kinda "fits" into the city more. Although considering that Canary Wharf is in close proximity to other newly developed areas with skyscrapers like Stratford and Canning Town it's not completely out of place.

[@FoxOnFilm2209]

Canary wards skyline looks painfully bland

[@maroon9273]

​@@FoxOnFilm2209and lack density

[@llamaknight]

Godam I swear every time this channels posts a vid watching it feels like watching an 1h+ documentary in a cinema only to realise it's a KZbin vid

[@earthtaurus5515]

I agree, the only other channel that gives of similiar vibes is Hagerty and their Icon's series of videos on cars, the production quality is beyond top notch.

[@astrojonyk1978]

Always exciting to see something going on. But it is also a valid concern of whether it is actually needed.

[@thembadube9206]

The irony of Allianz sponsoring this video did not go unnoticed 😆

[@l-b4330]

Bring it on!! love the transformation !!!!

[@jessicalove9273]

Is there a lack of office space in London really? Is there something wrong with the old building? Isn't the redevelopment just a vanity project?

[@JohnnyZenith]

Yes there's a projected lack and demand is increasing. Next question. Yes the old building lacks the floor plate sizes and square meterage for modern use. It also lacks the modern lifestyle facilties and is likely less carbon friendly. Next question. Vanity project is an empty phrase too often thrown around. Just like HS2 is needed and isn't a vanity project.

[@iliamanolov5926]

@@JohnnyZenith Something can be needed and be a vanity project at the same time. Was the Lizzie line needed? Absolutely. Is it a success? Resoundingly so. Were most of the new stations dug for it massive vanity projects that were ridiculously and unnecessarily expensive? Also yes. We should encourage retrofitting and modernising infrastructure first (like the DLR and Overground) since it's much harder to pitch them as vanity projects, they can usually be done for much cheaper overall and are usually much more successful even if they don't perfectly cover areas of demand.

[@JohnnyZenith]

@iliamanolov5926 Wrong. So many poorly informed people around. That was a mess I'm afraid.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

@@iliamanolov5926 Your argument is very thin intellectually. Try harder next time please.

[@pippin9466]

Why do many Londoners dislike tall buildings. We love them up north and London gets the mojorrty of them and we get a fraction of that amount

[@a1white]

Because they don’t fit, architecturally in with the style of the city. We don’t have big wide straight roads in the city. Its smaller winding lanes the cluster of skyscrapers, very close to each other, blocks sunlight and views. It’s oppressive to walk round underneath it all perpetually in shade. The shard works as it’s on the Southbank away from the cluster and has lots of space around it (essentially on a train station).

[@pippin9466]

@@a1white we have windy roads up north too and you don’t see us compaining

[@evanzygerrard1215]

What do you need them in the north for? For a zoo I guess, check the population and gdp

[@pippin9466]

@@evanzygerrard1215 have you seen Manchester or Liverpool recently?

[@uingaeoc3905]

The street name reflects that there used to be a May Pole placed there on festival days. The local church is 'St Andrew's Undershaft', to differentiate it from 'St Andrew's By the Wardrobe' and 'St Andrew's Sherehog'.

[@ebakkal]

Equaling the Shart 0:14

[@fixxxer1134]

Haha, I was gonna say something too!

[@GuruPhil_TDO]

Fred seems to be referring to it as The Shart throughout the video… 😅 💩🩲💦💨

[@Larry]

Reminds me of the Sears Tower/Willis Tower in it's design.

[@digabledoug]

I like the purity of the existing 60's building. Not the oversized jumbled monstrosity of scale and form of the proposed new tower.

[@Yasin_2312]

I don’t like it because the St Helen’s tower looks bland. If it was an Art Deco skyscraper similar to NYC’s old skyscrapers then it would look good.

[@DoggoSantini]

As someone who works in the Lloyd's building I wish I'd known you were filming here! Would've loved to say hello - wonderful video as always! Excited to see how this develops and hope you cover more of this and others (40 Leadenhall specifically) as they begin (or don't!) being built

[@74_Green]

1:06 WHY?? Because it is the same for ANY big building/infrastructure ANYWHERE in the UK.

[@stevewells8152]

It’s surprising about the number of comments regarding empty buildings. I work for one of the many office fit out companies and a lot of the existing stock is currently unlettable due to impending changes in the EPC ratings of older buildings. This means many of the older buildings are currently undergoing major investment to improve old HVAC systems for electric alternatives and is also the reason why some owners have decided it’s cheaper to redevelop sites.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

If 1 Undershaft is so good why isn't there a 2 Overshaft

[@FedericoGalimbertiApparel]

Very well presented and informative! Great job Fred

[@Yasin_Affandi]

Despite the gloomy title of this video, this is a wonderful video with lots of valuable insights.

[@WizardsLore]

I used to work in the old CAI building that is now the cheesgrater, and i can tell you that open space in front of it between it and the church off St MArys axe is truly a great outdoor space

[@music_by_carlos]

YES THE SKYLINE NEEDS TO GROW LOVE IT

[@benusmaximus3601]

Such a beautifully well-made video on a skyscraper that I've been following for years...

[@BeobachterofTruth]

A video of style over substance unfortunately.

[@fabroc8]

Is it just me or cities are getting weird? When I look at older medieval cities wich are supposed to be "organic" and disorganized, somehow they make sense. But when I look at modern cities with meticulous planning and impressive skyscrapers they feel like a child's playroom clutter...

[@BeobachterofTruth]

You mean 'modern cities' like New York with the regimented street pattern?

[@bendavies3108]

The reason it hasn't been built is the anchor tenant had a lease until June 2024 for St Helens. I worked there until we moved out in Feb, the building is old and tired, slow lifts, no enough toilets for modern capacity. Plus the floorplate is tiny, the last refurb they shrank the desks to enable 4 people in a row. The building was designed to have offices with windows and internally typing pools in the core, no raised floor for comms etc. Not worth keeping. I agree the trellis looked better but think it suffered with floorplate issues as well, plus businesses want higher quality real estate with outside space now.

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

1 undershaft? Should't it be called A BALL?

[@TheWebstaff]

or total bollocks.

[@markmh835]

I don't know if Fred enters body building competitions, but he really should. That t-shirt looks like it's going to burst! 😱😵😊👍

[@stormclearer]

I love this skyscraper, we need so many more and with companies leaving china, Hong kong and new York, London is the new place, people moan about this country, but when companies try to move here, they main again

[@urbanstrencan]

Another awesome video, first time I heard about this project, keep up with great work ❤❤

[@EternalGoldenBraid]

The guy worrying about the area being in perpetual gloom is overlooking the entire country being in that state

[@Yasin_2312]

I liked the previous design of 1 Undershaft. It looks more majestic

[@DeanStephen]

I really preferred the “trellis” version of the building.

[@doommaker47]

Presenting Allianz Stadium as an iconic building on par with Tower of London is plain hilarious. Come on :D

[@Daesig]

Nice video! I personally love the london skyscrapers and wish there were more.

[@Bryzerse]

I don't mind having new skyscrapers across the city, but they could really use some more inspired designs. We've already got Canary Wharf to show off an example of a boring skyline, and the City has always found itself being filled with more unique buildings like the Gherkin, Walkie-Talkie, or Natwest Tower, as well as many of the smaller buildings too like Lloyds. I'm not going to mourn the old building though that is not included.

[@Filboid2000]

Good God! "Iconic architecture"?! The Lloyd's Building looks like something transported from an oil refinery!!!

[@michaeld5888]

Interesting you saying that as when I saw it going up I was amazed they were building an oil refinery in the middle of a city.

[@JohnFromAccounting]

Industrial futurism is certainly a style of architecture. I'd say it's iconic.

[@vladsnape6408]

The word 'iconic' does not mean 'good looking' etc. It can just as well refer to a structure that makes you want to puke when you see it.

[@eddiewalpole]

It is iconic. Stay mad.

[@geraint8989]

Who’s against a new building - those concerned their old offices will lose rental yield or those already in tall buildings concerned about their view?

[@ChavJag]

I worked on st helens tower after the 1st IRA bomb and was there when the 2nd IRA bomb went off at the natwest tower one year after the first one.

[@georgeealien]

did you die

[@ChavJag]

@@georgeealien no but come pretty bloody close

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Nice fantasy story. Thanks for sharing.

[@Infernal_Elf]

The excitement at start this is our hometurf!! :D

[@TXnine7nine]

0:54 Is there though? Weren't they just talking about office buildings in Canary Wharf talking with hotel chains to use the empty floor space left from the "work from home" revolution after COVID?

[@flynnlong9998]

As someone that works in Hybrid Working solutions, I can tell you for a fact that office space is not needed. One client, one of the largest financial firms in the world, has reduced their office space by over 50% over the last three years. You'd be surprised at all the big names that are looking to consolidate space.

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

But money laundering projects are always needed, hence this

[@tomparsons1615]

Office building responds to demand, and the business case for these towers - and any office building - only stacks up if the building is let to tenants. Nobody builds in London “just for the sake of it”. With a little reading you might understand how it is possible for overall demand to be shrinking, but demand for a particular subset of building (top quality, amenity-rich) to remain very healthy.

[@kirishima638]

The whole thing is a bubble. Office workers are being priced out of London, businesses are downsizing and embracing hybrid.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Thanks for telling us your incorrect fact.

[@favesongslist]

Is this about the "City of London" where I believe the rules are different than the rest of not just London but the UK?

[@lilbaz8073]

Yes. William the conqueror didn't take over the city. They did a deal. Recognised him as king but would keep their own laws and taxes (or no taxes).

[@arrjay2410]

I live just outside Toronto, and the development there is described as the 'Manhattanization' of the city too, with different groups saying it with both pride and horror. The thing that struck me about the changes to the building design, is criticization they have of many of the high rises going up in Toronto. It looks like a shoe box on end.

[@arghjayem]

1 Undershaft? Who the hell came up with that name? 😂

[@masterbarnard]

It's the name of the road

[@GamesFromSpace]

Some dickhead.

[@stanvanillo9831]

@@masterbarnard Who the hell came up with the name for that road?

[@therealchayd]

@@stanvanillo9831 Just googled it, apparently there's a church nearby called "St Andrew Undershaft" that got its name from a custom where a maypole (the "shaft" part, I guesss) was set up opposite the church every May day until 1547 where it was seized by a religious mob who considered it a "pagan idol".

[@masterbarnard]

@@stanvanillo9831 It's named after the nearby church St Andrew Undershaft. Checkout the Wiki article for more info.

[@ENGBriseB]

There's a big need for London to keep up with other countries. Because of money. The square mile has always been the centre of money. But build iconic buildings that most people will love. Thanks Fred.

[@whophd]

Sometimes you say “Shart” sometimes you say “Shard” 😔

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

It's shard but he sounds like he's got sinusitis

[@GazMoby]

Very enjoyable as always 👍

[@dongyschlontong-ck5xg]

The initial design looked better.

[@ChadFi]

We are very lucky to have Historic England protecting the City. Unfortunately, too often the majority are disadvantaged by the few. We must protect our heritage sites - and opposite Lloyds, in the square which contrasts St. Helens Church to the Gherkin so extraordinarily, it must be considered a non-negotiable.

[@Neutralino]

Would appreciate a less boxy skyscraper ngl.

[@DEFarnes]

I am going to predict now the education centre won't happen and it will be even harder to get to the public garden than it is to get into the walkie Talkie garden.

[@jerryjohns7358]

The Shard and the Shaft. 😢

[@zestoslife]

Amazes me that we put all these barriers to development on land, then complain that homes / apartments are so expensive. I know this is office space, but the same principle applies.

[@-scgg-gg7938]

Spot on

[@AaronSof]

Correct me if I'm wrong... . Aren't all big projects fronts to launder money for international clients? escaping money from the east and tax dodging money from the west. Taking advantage of the billion £ grants from the UK government. Lining the pockets of big developers. I have worked for Berkley and canary wharf group amongst others. As an aspiring engineer then working with the QS's, you don't see it at first, but after a few years how normal it is to give backhanders and bags of money under the table, I can not work in this shady industry as a born Londoner.

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

You nailed it

[@fly463]

You think all Big projects are for money laundering ? Sit down

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Thanks for continuing your fantasy story.

[@olliet2977]

Have to say the first trellis design is by far the best looking

[@lim10337]

London's skyline started to go wrong the moment when the walkie talkie and gherkin were built.

[@clivewilliams3661]

As an Architect, I am saddened by the proposals for the skyscrapers in the City. Architecture is about buildings and the space between buildings, it is not an unruly conglomeration of edifices to egos thrown together. London Planners ought to do their job and help design a place fit for Britain and the Capital. I am all for iconic buildings and space but the design should not be about the square foot it stands on but the area that it influences.

[@mauritsbol4806]

This skyscraper has been shafted

[@Bonbon1948]

It's not walkie talkie, it's the Fry Scraper. There you go. :D

[@EdinMike]

I’m glad Edinburgh doesn’t really allow skyscrapers, would ruin the skyline of the city.

[@JustRaiHere01]

The thing that struck me when I visited London 30 years ago was its love of its history. I understand wanting to preserve its history and the challenge of keeping pace with modern needs. I think they are moving toward that balance by keeping the majority of the skyscrapers to one area with the Shard being an outlier. The view from the top of St. Paul's is spectacular and I would hate to see it diminish. Manhattan should not be the goal but a lesson. Do it better.

[@BobbinMcferry]

The B1M could really do some good by showcasing housing projects that are efficiently and cheaply delivered. People need homes, not more towers for empty offices.

[@iceFloof]

I'd thought I'd never see a allianz sponsor on a KZbin channel 😂

[@-Osiris-]

Get it built. It's the City of London, there are skyscrapers everywhere, the existing building is not worth preserving, the design is bland but so what. People talking about vacancy rates as if that should have any bearing, that's for the owners to worry about. People bleating about affordable housing are mentally unstable, we're not going to put affordable housing in a CBD that'd be stupid. The economy is growing, we need high quality space in the City now and in the future, get it built.

[@beejereeno2]

I've gotten so used to host's narration voice because it's 10x better than his in-front-of camera voice and I don't know what to do with myself.

[@Loi7y]

I couldn't hate modern architecture and megaprojects more.

[@MazHem]

I heard canary wharf is pretty empty rn, there's not much a demand for office services - unless they are good quality

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Where did you hear that? At the bus stop?

[@nicomonkeyboy]

_Is_ there an ever growing need for more office space in London..?

[@ayoCC]

they should make them into residential towers

[@hc1324-m7w]

Yes, especially grade A office space.

[@JohnFromAccounting]

There is specifically in the City of London. Everywhere else it's probably gone down.

[@neatodd]

I don't understand why we need so much more office space when the pandemic taught us that so many can work perfectly well from home.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

It is no surprise to read that some things are beyond your understanding.

[@delboy3702]

With large companies like HSBC and JP Morgan moving out of Canary wharf to downsize to smaller buildings in the city why do we need so many new skyscrapers? Why cannot more companies move to the vacant spaces in Canary wharf?

[@d.b.cooper1]

Cause the key tennants want the new shiny places wtth the best facilities. The rental/lease costs to these firms are often tiny. Wfh is dying out with everyone back in the office or at best hybrid, focus is quality over quantity re office space now.

[@mittfh]

HSBC are a particularly interesting case, as they're moving their global HQ elsewhere in London, while the Head Office of their UK operations has been relocated to, erm, Birmingham.

[@aamackie]

I thoroughly approve of your policy of pronouncing "the Shard" as "the Shart" whenever you can get away with it.

[@erasmus_locke]

Make it a Condominium complex. There's enough office space already.

[@BeobachterofTruth]

Thanks for sharing an opinion and pretending you know something about the subject. But try harder next time please.

[@henriccarlsson9052]

Haha I thought you called the other high rise ”The Shart” 😂

[@colinstu]

2019 called, wants its building back. No need to build pointless big things when there's a neverending demand for affordable housing. Not to mention THERE'S ALREADY A FUNCTIONAL OFFICE BUILDING THERE ALREADY. It's not even like it's a full net benefit, as it's eliminating existing sqft/office worker space.

[@DewtbArenatsiz]

Bungs bungs and more bungs

[@-scgg-gg7938]

Housing is irrelevant, this a Financial District and is privately funded, you have nothing to do with it is not taking your taxes. Existing building is from the 60s, that means its very old, white-collar people like nicer offices now with free gym, nice terraces or bike garages so that they can come by bike for instance as well as floorspace now is much more modular. The new tower is bringing all this x3 and in the process its employing a lot of people. Quit that degrowth interventionist mindset, we do need big things going on or we will be overtaken by other emerging countries. Google the list of tallest skyscrapers and see how many are in Europe.

[@colinstu]

@@-scgg-gg7938 "housing is irrelevant" LOL. What planet are you on? There is a HOUSING CRISIS right now. Affordability Crisis!! So many issues. I didn't even mention a single thing about taxes.

[@JohnFromAccounting]

@@colinstu The City of London is not a residential zone. It is a commercial zone. There are few residences. It is majority office space due to the extremely high land costs, and the special legal status.

[@colinstu]

@@JohnFromAccounting Times change. People can live and work in the same area. It's ridiculous it's separated still.

[@Chris-lr2qb]

Bit of background liquid DnB? epic.