Willis Building (London)

Willis Building
Willis Building
General information
Location	51 Lime Street, City of London
Coordinates	51°30′46″N 0°04′53″W / 51.5129°N 0.0815°WCoordinates: 51°30′46″N 0°04′53″W / 51.5129°N 0.0815°W
Construction started	2004
Completed	2008
Height
Roof	125 metres (410 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	26
Floor area	475,000 square feet (44,128.9 m2)
Design and construction
Main contractor	Mace
Architect	Norman Foster
Structural engineer	Ramboll
References

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For the Grade I listed building in Ipswich, see Willis Building (Ipswich). For the skyscraper in Chicago formerly known as the Sears Tower, see Willis Tower.

The Willis Building is a skyscraper located at at 51 Lime Street in London's financial centre, the City of London.

Designed by architect Norman Foster and developed by British Land, it stands opposite the Lloyd's building and is 125 metres (410 ft) tall, with 26 storeys. The building features a "stepped" design, which was intended to resemble the shell of a crustacean, with setbacks rising at 97 m (318 ft) and 68 m (223 ft) respectively. In total, there are 475,000 square feet (44,128.9 m²) of office floorspace, most of which was pre-let to the Willis Group, a risk management company and insurance broker.

Constructed between 2004 and 2008 under the management of Mace,^[2] the Willis Building was a significant addition to the City of London's skyline, becoming its fourth-tallest building after Tower 42, 30 St. Mary Axe and CityPoint. The core was topped out in July 2006 and the steelwork completed in September that year. Cladding began in July 2006 and the structure was externally completed by June 2007. It was internally fitted out and officially opened in April 2008.

The Willis Building was the first in a wave of new towers planned for the financial area of the City of London. Others include the Bishopsgate Tower, 122 Leadenhall Street, the Heron Tower, 100 Bishopsgate, 20 Fenchurch Street, the Broadgate Tower and Shard London Bridge.

The Willis Building exterior nears completion. c. May 2007.
The Willis Building exterior nearer final completion. 21st July 2007.
30 St Mary Axe as viewed from 'second step' of Willis Building. July 2007.
The Lloyd's Building and Willis Building, as viewed from Lime Street in July 2007.
The Willis Building at night (centre)