The Cheesegrater, Leadenhall Street, London

The nicknames of the newest buildings appearing on London’s skyline
give the impression that architects have been walking around the kitchen
looking for inspiration. The rising Cheesegrater – a Richard Rogers-designed wedge that slopes on the
south side – and the buxom Walkie-Talkie – bigger at the top than the bottom – are taking their place very close to the distinctive Gherkin –
shaped like, well, a gherkin. (Even the Helter-Skelter, where
construction is currently stalled, will really look more like a rolled-up table napkin if it ever gets finished.)

With the tallest building in London, the Shard,
finished and open for visitors to its viewing platform south of the
Thames, and another new tower rising by Blackfriars Bridge, it’s no
surprise to hear that about eight out of ten construction cranes in the
UK are in London.

There’s more about the Walkie-Talkie on my blog.