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.
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.
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.
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'.