I think it would be fair to say that 22 Bishopsgate is ‘not everyone’s cup of tea’ and I too am rather ambivalent about it. Second only to The Shard in height, it dominates the City and stands at 278 m (912 ft) tall with 62 storeys. At an all-inclusive total of just over 195,000 sq metres, it’s probably the largest office building ever built in Britain. It even looks down on Tower 42, seen here in the foreground (and pictured later) along with The Gherkin and the Walkie Talkie …
The view of the building from Bank Junction and the Royal Exchange …
Last Saturday the viewing gallery on the 58th floor was opened specially for ‘local residents’ so, of course, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to look down on the City from a new perspective.
A nice surprise was to be had walking through the main reception area where special artwork has been commissioned …
I really liked these wall hangings …
Then onward to the lifts …
With ears popping, we watched the screen in the lift monitor our progress towards our destination, the 58th floor …
You walk out into a vast viewing area with rather disconcerting floor to ceiling glass (at least it’s rather disconcerting for people like me who are not mad keen on heights) …
The views are as spectacular as one might expect …
Looking down on Tower 42 you can see its original design replicating the NatWest Bank logo if seen from above (it was originally the NatWest Tower) …
Canary Wharf in the misty distance …
Next week I’ll be back down to earth, writing about my walk east along the river. Here’s a small sample.
Can you see the chap balanced on a plinth looking across the river …
Here he is again (rather in need of a clean-up, seagulls have no respect for art) …
More about him next week, as well as this ramp where, in 1857, a famous ship was launched …
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