The Leadenhall Building is a 47 storey, 225 metre (737 ft) tall skyscraper, designed by Richard Rogers, which is currently under construction in London. With its distinctive wedge-shaped profile, it is informally referred to as the Cheese Grater and is set to become one of the tallest buildings in the City of London. The development is expected to cost approximately £286 million in total.
In 2007-8, the existing building on the site was demolished in preparation for redevelopment. However due to the economic climate, construction was delayed and it was not until October 2010 that the project was revived. Oxford Properties is now co-developing the property in partnership with British Land, and in July 2011 they announced Laing O’Rourke as the Main Contractor for the works.
The new tower will feature a tapered glass façade on one side which will reveal the steel bracings, along with a ladder frame that is aimed to accentuate the vertical appearance of the tower. The base will feature a 30 metre high atrium which will be open to the public, and extend the adjacent plaza.
The structural steelwork sub-contract was awarded by Laing O’Rourke to Watson Steel Ltd. Freyssinet were selected in early 2012 to supply 162No. Tetron Disc Bearings (Pot type) which will support the floor beams on the outer columns. Freyssinet’s in-house design team worked in close liaison with Watson Steel to produce bespoke bearing designs to suit the very limited dimensional requirements with high horizontal forces. Fixing arrangements have also been tailored to comply with the restricted requirements.
Production of the bearings at Freyssinet’s factory in Telford is phased to meet the installation programme and construction is scheduled for completion in 2014.