London’s Heron Tower nears completion

The eagerly awaited Heron Tower, in London, has been “topped out”, which is a ceremony to celebrate the near completion of the building.

Plans for the tower began in 1999 and now, 11 years later, development company Heron International is ecstatic about the approaching completion date.

“I’m delighted. It’s taken a long time, but we finally got there.” said Gerald Ronson, chief executive of Heron International.

The 46-storey development is near Liverpool Street Station and will add 439,555 square-feet of office space to the City of London.

Nick Anstee, The Lord Mayor of London, said, “This brilliant glass and steel tower, all 46 storeys, is a great addition to the London skyline.”

“To me this kind of building encapsulates the spirit of optimism and of business growth that I hope the next decade will bring the City and the UK.”

In the past the development has had several setbacks, mainly in the planning stages of the building which was made worse by the economic crash.

Mr Ronson said, “If you had told me in 1999, that the Topping Out of Heron Tower would be in 2010, I think even I would have thought that was a little longer than expected.”

Fortunately the development company is not expecting any problems with the leasing of the space.

This is because there has been an increase in demand for office space due to the reduction of new office developments in the city.

“Whether this is by luck or judgment, I believe that Heron Tower has come to market at the right time.” Mr Ronson added.

Heron Tower is expected to be completed by March 2011.