London’s ever-changing skyline is set to continue its evolution with new high rises of all shapes and sizes popping up over the next three years.
Areas such as Stratford and Southwark are among those with the heaviest levels of development, as the gentrification of the capital continues at full throttle.
Offices and accommodation will continue to spring up – including Europe’s tallest residential building, stretching 236m into the sky.
Following on from the likes of the Shard and the Gherkin, some will be named after objects they resemble, such as the Scalpel, the Flower Tower and the Can of Ham.
Below are some of the most eye-catching developments which will transform the skyline.
The stand-out feature of Embassy Gardens, in south London’s Wandsworth Borough, is undoubtedly the swimming pool that connects the two towers. The residential areas will share a complex with the new US Embassy, which has given the building its name. Embassy Gardens is due to be completed in 2018
Keybridge will be the UK’s tallest residential brick tower, and is soon due for completion. Designed by Allies and Morrison, it will include the eight-storey Keybridge House, and Keybridge Lofts, with 37 storeys. Residents can expect to wine and dine in their own club lounge, stroll the landscaped gardens, take a dip in the swimming pool, work out in the gym or let off some steam in the spa
Set just across the water from the O2 Arena, the London City Island will be a mixed-use facility, with the most eye-opening of tenants being the English National Ballet. In addition to the main building, there has also been a specially-built bridge. It is set to open this year
In conjunction with the redevelopment of Lots Road Power station, the Chelsea Waterfront in the west of the capital is set to be given two glass towers that will provide accommodation, bars and amenities to breathe new life into the area, from 2019
The 41-storey Eileen House is a residential tower block located just north of Elephant and Castle. The 410ft tower was completed last year, and was designed by Allies and Morrison
Overlooking Paddington railway station in the west of the capital, One Merchant Square will dominate the Westminster skyline with its cylindrical design and will house 222 flats, a gym and sky bar. The tower is expected to be completed this year
The larger of the two towers to be constructed at One Nine Elms, in Wandsworth, is set to be the largest residential tower in Europe, at around 200m tall. The smaller of the towers will be home to a luxury Chinese hotel
Named after the former beerhouse that once stood here, the Ram Brewery Regeneration Project will be another new addition to Wandsworth from 2019 and feature peculiar triangular buildings
Pending developments elsewhere, One Nine Elms will be eclipsed as Europe’s tallest residential building by The Spire, which is set to open in Canary Wharf in 2020. It will be the exact same height – 236m – as the area’s other tallest building, the commercial One Canada Water, and has earned the nickname The Flower Tower due to its unusual design
Designed by the architects behind the world’s tallest building, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the Manhattan Loft Gardens will bring additional luxury living to Newham, east London, and is expected to be completed in 2020. The building gets its name from the viewing platform overlooking Stratford’s Olympic Park. Anyone fortunate to afford a flat here will also enjoy full access to a gym and spa
Construction on the residential Manhattan Plaza started in August last year. The structure is inspired by New York’s Meatpacking District, according to architect Barton Wilmore. It was formerly the Columbus Tower, another planned skyscraper that never left the drawing board
A 28-floor, mixed-use Thames-side tower is planned on the opposite side of the river to Tate Britain
One Blackfriars is a 550ft mixed-use tower currently being built at the junction of Blackfriars Road and Stamford Street at Bankside. The 52-storey tower will be flanked by two smaller buildings. Original plans saw the tower reaching 222m with 68-storeys, before the designs were scaled down
Probably the most unusual of London’s descriptive building names, the Can of Ham will open right in the heart of the city in 2019 and has been under construction for three years already. It will be situated just a couple of roads from the Gherkin and will be used as office space