The Late 1970s
The second group of tall buildings opened in the late 1970’s. Because of the GLC’s
rigorous resistance to tall buildings
there were less buildings in this period and the ones
that were built were mostly lower. The major skyscrapers erected
in this period were
Angel Court (305ft), Baring Bros (290ft), and the Nat West tower (600ft), the tallest
and most architecturally distinguished skyscraper in the City, also designed by Richard
Seifert. The flat roofed tower, clad in stainless
steel columns with recessed windows
emphasizing verticality, opened in 1980. It won a citation from the Royal Institute of
British Architects,
which said, ‘The architect has created a design of individual
character on the skyline with slim proportions and an envelope of lasting quality.’
Curiously, having erected what will clearly be the pinnacle of the London skyline for
many years to come, Nat West Bank
has not made much effort to use it as a corporate
icon. In Britain it has not featured in any of their add
campaigns while in America it
was used vigorously.
The late seventies included many proposals for the South Bank, Euston rd and
Liverpool St Station (Broadgate).
Euston Rd would have been perfect for a cluster of
high rises but this was not allowed as it would have
blocked the view of St Paul’s from
Primrose Hill. Liverpool St would have gone ahead, but the market collapsed.
