M@

Walkie Talkie Building Rapidly Growing In City

One of London's most controversial new buildings is climbing into the City sky at an exceptional rate. 20 Fenchurch Street, commonly known as the 'walkie talkie' thanks to its top-heavy profile, had barely troubled pavement level this time last month. Now it's reached the 13th floor (already one higher than when these photos were taken on Friday).

The structure, designed by Rafael Vinoly, will eventually thrust (albeit bluntly) 160 metres into the air, making it about the same height as the Broadgate Tower at the other end of the City. Its shape divides opinion. Some fear that the bulbous upper portion and the building's relative closeness to the river will harmfully intrude upon the skyline. Others look forward to the public sky garden, which will grace the upper floors (see images).

With its core already one-third complete, 20 Fenchurch Street should approach its final height in spring next year. The steel and glass superstructure will take a while to catch up, however. We'll have to live with a chunky concrete core on the skyline for some time.

Follow the building's progress on SkyscraperCity forums.