About this Event
Wren to Renzo: The history of height in London, or the rise of the London skyline
For over two centuries, the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, designed by Sir Christoper Wren, dominated the London skyline. Although several tall buildings were constructed in the early twentieth century, Wren's masterpiece remained the tallest structure in the city. Following the devastation that was brought upon London during the Second World War, architects and planners began reaching for higher heights in an effort to rebuild the city. Despite this, by the the end of the century London still only had two official skyscrapers.
However, in the last 25 years, London has seen phenomenal growth in the number and scale of high-rises built. This tour looks at how the city has finally embraced height and how this greater appreciation of tall buildings has culminated in the city's current tallest skyscraper, Renzo Piano's Shard.
Highlights include Tower 42, 30 St Mary Axe (The Gherkin) and 122 Leadenhall Street (The Cheesegrater).
Please note that this tour is currently a work-in-progress and will be delivered as a 'rehearsed reading'.
Start point: Outside PAUL St Paul's, 2 Paternoster Square, EC4M 7DX (nearest Underground Station: St Paul's)
End point: The Shard, 32 London Bridge Street (nearest Underground Station: London Bridge)
From top to bottom: St Paul's Cathedral, Tower 42 (NatWest Tower), The Shard
Event venue & nearby stays
St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard, London, United Kingdom
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