Amazing new £800m skyscraper to tower over London ‘looks like giant’s private parts’ from above
But its proud architects insists the design is inspired by a beautiful orchid
AN £800 million skyscraper to tower 770 feet over London has raised a few eyebrows after it was pointed out it looks like a giant's private parts.
From the pavement, the proposed 67-storey Spire London building will look like many of the other glass-fronted giants springing up all over the capital.
However those flying from nearby London City Airport will be given an entirely different and shocking view.
From above the gleaming giant - on the Isle of Dogs - will resemble a hi-tech version of a huge penis complete with testicles,
The Chinese-funded project will house multi-million pound luxury apartments for the capital's super-rich, and will host a separate "poor door" for social housing tenants on the lower floors.
Standing at 770 feet the Spire London will be the high residential building in Western Europe
The tower will house 861 apartments ranging in price from roughly £600,000 to more than £3m.
The structure will stand 150-feet taller than London's current tallest residential building the St George Wharf Tower in Vauxhall.
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A spa, an infinity pool, a gym, a jacuzzi, and a fitness studio will be on the 35th floor.
The skyscraper, which is being built by Shanghai-based Greenland Group, has been designed to provide panoramic views over the whole of London.
It will have the highest and most far-reaching views ever provided by apartments in the capital when it is completed in 2020.
But it will still be overshadowed by the world's tallest residential tower, which soars to 1,396ft at 432 Park Avenue in New York City.
Demolition work on the London site has already begun with initial piling set to begin early next year.
Yuliang Zhang, chairman and president of Greenland Group, said: "Spire London will create a new iconic landmark on the London skyline.
"This tower will be Western Europe's tallest residential building and underlines London's enduring status as a world-class city and destination.
"This is Greenland Group's most important project in Europe, and will deliver exceptional new homes for Londoners.
"Greenland Group operates across four continents and is a global leader in delivering high-rise residential buildings, and has already built or is developing four of the ten highest buildings in the world."
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has been designed by architects Larry Malcic and Christopher Colosimo of multi-award winning firm HoK.
The design is inspired by the nautical history of the site and by the orchid flower, which has been cultivated in China for more than 3,000 years.
Three petals form the spire creating faceted glass facades and nautical style "prow" and "bow" contours.
However some have pointed out it would make a natural partner to the infamous Al Wakrah Stadium in Qatar being built for the 2022 World Cup.
Aerial images have led to it being described as the 'accidental vagina stadium'.