City鈥檚 tallest tower now set to open next autumn

The developer behind the tallest tower going up in the City of London has admitted the job is up to four months behind schedule.

Sir Stuart Lipton said a completion date of next July for Multiplex鈥檚 22 Bishopsgate had been pushed back to November, laying most of the blame on wind shutting down cranes.

The 278m tower, which has an estimated construction pricetag of 拢600m and which Lipton is developing alongside Peter Rogers under the Lipton Rogers brand the pair set up five years ago, will be the tallest tower in the Square Mile when completed, eclipsing the 230m Heron Tower. It will also be taller than 22 Bishopsgate鈥檚 next-door neighbour, the Cheesegrater, designed by Rogers鈥 brother Richard.

Lipton said: 鈥淚t was originally [due to finish next] July but we鈥檙e anticipating October/November.鈥

Also read: 22 Bishopsgate - shaping up

He added: 鈥淭his is a very big chap. Wind is the predominant factor [for the delay]. This idea we can define dates on a high-rise is a misunderstanding.鈥

He is hoping concrete work, being carried out by Careys, and steelwork, being carried out by Severfield, will finish early next year.

22 Bishopsgate

Cranes on the 278m tower have been winded off a number of times during construction