In 2016, construction began on the former site of the City Pride public house at 1 Marsh Wall in London’s Canary Wharf. By the time the main structural work had been completed and topped out in early 2020, this incredible building was known as Landmark Pinnacle, standing 764 feet tall above the capital, surveying everything below with the official crown as the tallest residential building in London and the UK.
It had surpassed the previous record holder, St George Wharf Tower, by a staggering 170 feet and marked a new area of sky-scraping homes that looks set to continue during the next part of this century. Only the commercial buildings such as The Shard or Bishopsgate, now remain at a higher point in the London landscape.
A History of Many Storeys High
Designing and creating buildings that reach into the skies has been an endeavour that has fascinated humans for thousands of years. The incredible temples, churches and places of worship that dominated the built environment all over the world for centuries were intent on defining status within communities. They signified the population’s enduring faith and acted as a reminder across generations of a shared cultural identity.
As the great cities of the planet developed, it was industry that began to shape their horizons. Vast warehouses and factories were raised in record time that moulded both these landscapes and their residents’ lives, in an immeasurable way, from the 18th century onwards. This development inevitably led to increased numbers of people living in small spaces and in order to accommodate them, the only way was up.
Living in London Skies
The mansion blocks and Edwardian residential developments of the late 19th and early 20th centuries can be seen as laying the foundation for what Landmark Pinnacle has now achieved. These beautifully designed homes rarely exceeded 10 storeys high but offered the convenience of city living without the burden and logistics of townhouse ownership. As the upper middle classes of London began to appreciate what this kind of lifestyle could bring for them, it ushered in the social acceptance of apartment living for cities such as London. Art Deco and Modernist examples of stylish high-rise living, such as Dolphin Square and Du Cane court duly followed as architects then began to experiment on the new canvases that they were being encouraged to work upon.
The Perfect Pinnacle
The views from the Landmark Pinnacle are quite simply stunning. Its name seems perfectly appropriate for how this collection of homes has drawn from all of the high-rise history of London to create something truly remarkable. Unbroken vistas stretch out across the Thames, Greenwich and the whole of the city beyond from this unique vantage point in the sky. Every apartment in the building benefits from a 360-degree view too. This was something that the developers Chalegrove Properties and design studio Squire & Partners were adamant should be a design principle from the outset. 75 floors of residence are available in what feels more akin to a vertical neighbourhood where residents live within the view and become a part of it.
Architectural Notes
Squire & Partners' concept for Landmark Pinnacle was a pure rectilinear form of a glass prism that rose from the ground. Everything about it was charged with the brief of clean lines and minimal ornamentation to present a simple silhouette that ignored the twists and more sculpted aesthetics of recent London skyline additions. The priority on light and high-performance glazing encourages the building to become a part of the city’s landscape, mirroring the moods, seasons and tonal shifts of the Thames and the surrounding sky.
High Quality Amenities
A total of 822 apartments are available in Landmark Pinnacle that range from compact studios to sizable penthouses. The communal areas and facilities throughout the building are a fine example of how planning for modern lifestyles in engaging and exciting ways always adds value to every resident too. On levels 27 and 28, there is a fully landscaped Sky Garden over two double-height floors with live-planted trees that feels more like a park than an atrium. Further up on level 56, the Sky Lounge is a social space complete with lounges, dining rooms and a private cinema. And the Top Sky Terrace on level 75 occupies the whole floorplate at the highest point to effectively democratise the awe-inspiring view for every resident in the building.
Tales from the Top
There is no doubt that Landmark Pinnacle is an innovative and pioneering residential build. Urban designers and developers all over the world are watching intently to see how this verticalized community works in order to learn vital lessons for similar projects in their cities. There are even plans to create a Digital Twin of the building as a complete 3D model for study and research on airflow, energy use and social interaction within the walls.
The tallest residential building in London is clearly driving the city to reach new heights for development in more ways than one.
