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10 tallest buildings in London: Skyscraper dream homes
- Saulius Bertauskas
- Jun 30, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 28, 2024
Tall buildings are creating a new London skyline for 2020. They are also fast becoming the norm for new residential developments in and around the centre of the city. We take a look at the 10 tallest buildings in London that you can buy or rent an apartment in. In addition, we’ll hear from residents about what life is like in the very highest London skyscrapers.
The first thing you might notice that The Shard isn’t in the list. Why? Because, while the small number of residential apartments in The Shard are certainly the city’s highest, they remain empty and are no longer for sale.
You may also notice that some towers in this Top 10 don’t have many reviews yet. This is because we’ve included some of the tallest buildings in London that are still being built. Also, some are so new that residents are only just moving in. They might be the best residential towers in London but we won’t know until residents review them!
However, we have included reviews for the developers involved and any sister projects. This gives you an idea of what they’ll be like to live in. Plus, we’ll add new reviews as they come in!
So, what is life really like 200 metres up with a stunning view over one the world’s greatest cities? Let’s find out.
10 tallest residential buildings in London
233 metres, 75 floors
Landmark Pinnacle seen from the eastern side of South Dock
HomeViews resident rating: 3.70 out of 5 (limited reviews)
Landmark Pinnacle is currently the tallest residential building in London. This mixed-use 75-storey tower includes 864 one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. Luxurious amenities include media rooms, private cinema, gym and fitness areas, private dining rooms, social lounge, library and two stunning roof terraces on the 75th floor. In addition, Canary Wharf Underground station is only a nine-minute walk away for Jubilee line transport connections.
Developer Chalegrove Properties and architect Squire & Partners also completed the nearby Landmark tower in 2010. As a result, we can read reviews from residents there to get an idea of what life will be like at the Landmark Pinnacle.
220 metres, 60 floors
Newfoundland Quay (seen on the left)
HomeViews resident rating: 4.2 out of 5 (limited reviews)
Currently the second tallest residential building in London, Newfoundland Quay is a mixed use development located on the western side of Canary Wharf. The elegant building was designed by Horden Cherry Lee Architects. You might recognise the same diamond-shaped facade that was used on London’s iconic ‘Gherkin’ tower.
636 luxurious studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments will be available to let from Vertus, the Build to Rent arm of the Canary Wharf Group. These homes will benefit from being close to the transport and shopping amenities of Canary Wharf. If you were lucky enough to live here you’d have access to a private dining room, residents’ lounge, gym, virtual fitness studios, children’s play area and terrace garden.
215 metres, 68 floors
South Quay Plaza on Canary Wharf’s South Dock
HomeViews resident rating: 4.2 out of 5 (limited reviews)
Due for completion in 2020, South Quay Plaza adds another opulent residential development to Canary Wharf’s growing collection. You’ve probably heard of the architects – Foster + Partners – who designed the towers to make the most of the 2.6 acres of gardens at ground level. Residents will also benefit from facilities including a 20m swimming pool overlooking South Dock and easy access to both DLR and tube services.
The tallest of the towers was ‘topped out’ in September 2019, making it developer Berkeley Group‘s tallest building. Prices for apartments will start from £945,000 for a one bedroom flat to £2,125,000 for the highest-spec three bedroom apartment.
205 metres, 57 floors
One Park Drive and views across to Greenwich Park to the south
HomeViews resident rating: 4.00 out of 5 (for developer Canary Wharf Group)
The sculptural form of One Park Drive is the work of Pritzker-winning architects Herzog & de Meuron. Other iconic works by the firm include the Tate Modern transformation and the Beijing Olympics ‘Bird’s Nest’ stadium.
The tower is split into three distinct sections, each offering a unique style of apartment. The lower floors offer the large ‘Loft’ apartments, with wrap-around terraces and high ceilings. The middle floors are the ‘Cluster’, with variously-sized apartments all including a balcony. At the top of the tower, ‘Bay’ apartments boast double-height terraces and other features designed to maximise the stunning views on offer.
187 metres, 55 floors
Wardian London during construction
HomeViews resident rating: 4.1 out of 5 (limited reviews)
The taller East Tower of the impressive Wardian development takes its place as the fifth tallest residential building in London. It was named after botanist, explorer and inventor Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward. Ward invented the ‘ward case’ – a glass box as a miniature ecosystem for plants. Glass enclosures filled with exotic plants can be found throughout this remarkable structure designed by Glen Howells with developers Ecoworld and Ballymore Group.
Every apartment also includes a ‘sky garden’ – a planted balcony that provides both attractive outdoor space and a passive cooling effect for the building. Prices range from £635,000 to £1.5million.
182 metres, 53 floors
View of The Madison from the south eastern side
HomeViews resident rating: 3.9 out of 5
The distinctive wedge shape of The Madison sets it apart from its Canary Wharf neighbours. It was designed by award-winning architects’ practice Make for developer LBS Properties, and the 182-metre tower and development includes Liberty Square. This garden with seating and play areas provides a peaceful oasis right in the heart of the business district.
From studios to penthouse apartments, homes in The Madison offer spectacular views across Canary Wharf to the City, south over the Isle of Dogs and Greenwich, and eastwards over to the O2 Arena and beyond.
181 metres, 52 floors
The St George Wharf development and Vauxhall Tower with Vauxhall Bridge in the foreground
HomeViews resident rating: 3.75 out of 5 (for St George Wharf development)
The Tower at One St George Wharf is also known as St George Wharf Tower or Vauxhall Tower. This prominent cylindrical building overlooks the rest of the St George Wharf development next to Vauxhall Bridge. When first completed in 2014, this Lambeth landmark was the UK’s tallest residential building.
Architects Broadway Malyan designed the tower with advanced energy-saving features. These include a ventilated cavity facade, heat pump, triple-glazing and a wind turbine atop the structure that generates 27,000 kWh per year. The usual amenities of gym, spa and swimming pool are also included, while a sky garden provides residents with scenic outdoor space.
165 metres, 52 floors
Evening shot of One Blackfriars, overlooking the river and Blackfriars Bridge
HomeViews resident rating: 3.85 out of 5
The curved design of One Blackfriars was inspired by the Lansetti II vase by Finnish artist Timo Sarpaneva. Architects SimpsonHaugh and Partners incorporated a boutique hotel and landscaped piazza into this residential development offering some of the most prized homes on the South Bank.
The developer St George is currently offering a three bedroom apartment on the 41st floor of the building for £8,900,900. This boasts four bathrooms and views to the north, west and south, offering an opportunity to invest in one of London’s most iconic and desirable residential towers.
161 metres, 51 storeys
The Principal Tower’s curved form was designed by Foster + Partners
HomeViews resident rating: (reviews coming soon)
The brand new Principal Tower sits between the City, Shoreditch and Old Street’s Silicon Roundabout, and is the only tower on the list in east London. The tower offers outstanding transport connections nearby: Rail and tube connections from Liverpool Street (5mins walk) and Overground services from Shoreditch High Street (3mins walk) bring the rest of London within easy reach.
Foster + Partners designed the Principal Tower, which is part of the Principal Place mixed-use scheme. They incorporated over 600,000 sq ft of office space, with Amazon as the anchor tenant. Restaurants, shops, cafes and a lively piazza complete the picture for this thriving new community in EC2.
151 metres, 41 storeys
The South Bank Tower seen from street level
HomeViews resident rating: 4.5 out of 5
Finally, in at number 10 is the South Bank Tower in Southwark. However, the building wasn’t always this tall! it was originally built in 1972 as a 30-storey tower, but has since been extended to 41 storeys, bringing it up to 151 metres. As a result, 191 apartments now join office and retail space in this prime riverside location.
Armani/Casa furnishings and selected artworks by renowned artists such as Anthony Gormley and Sanou Oumar adorn some of the luxurious apartments in the tower. Buyers seeking luxury high-rise homes close to the South Bank’s many attractions will also benefit from the tower’s rooftop gardens, cinema room, residents’ lounge, gym and spa.
Want to know more? Head over to the London Tall Buildings Survey 2020. This shows that a record 60 tall buildings were completed in 2019. In addition, the pipeline for new tall buildings in London stands at an amazing 525!
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