As a city, London aside from being vibrant has always been a gorgeous one, filled with so many skyscrapers which adorn its magnificent skyline. Though it already has its fair share of tall buildings, architects seem to challenge conventions even more and create even grander buildings to accommodate the lifestyle of its residents as well as to encourage other who might want to settle in.

Another addition to these gravity-defying skyscrapers would be Spire London, which was just announced last month. Upon its completion in 2020, the building will be the tallest residential building in the entire western part of Europe.

Greenland Group, a Shanghai-based company is spearheading to put up this impressive building in London's Docklands, Hertsmere Road which is very close to the Canary Wharf Crossrail station and is overlooking the West India Quay.

Traveller reports that, "The 771-foot, 67-storey tower, coming to the Isle of Dogs, will feature 861 luxury apartments, a spa, a swimming pool and a swanky bar, and has a petal-shaped design said to resemble the "prow and bow" of a ship - a nod to the nautical heritage of its surroundings."

The entire building is not only going to be expensive - costing a whopping £800 million, it will definitely be very conspicuous too because it is primarily made of glass. This goes well with the building's vision to give not only its residents but the visitors as well, a "memorable first impression."

When seen from the ground, the sketch of the building seems normal enough. However, seeing it from the bird's eye view will definitely change your mind. The website Londonist put it quite eloquently, "If they are as infantile as us, they will see a massive dong," as reported by Yahoo New Zealand.

The rooftop wasn't really meant to resemble a man's sexual organ. In fact, according to the London-based architectural firm HOK which oversaw the design of the building, what they had in mind while designing it was something resembling a flower instead. Actually, it got its inspiration from the orchid flower.

Though it was meant to resemble a flower about to bloom, it seems as though it has become a phallic symbol which will stand in the middle of London and mar its glorious skyline.

However, this isn't the first time a building has been said to look vulgar. Actually, in London, the Gherkin Tower, which was designed by Norman Foster was also said to have resembled a man's genitals.

Other examples are: the design that won for the 2022 World Cup stadium designed by Zaha Hadid which is said to look like a woman's private part as well as a spaceport in New Mexico which serves as the headquarters for Virgin Galactic operations. 


from Business Insider: London is building Europe's tallest residential skyscraper