Planning consent was granted in 2002 for a 42-storey tower, reaching a structural height of 183m with a mast taking the total height to 222m. The consent provided for 63,105sq m of floorspace.

On 17th January 2006, the City of London resolved to grant consent to increase the height of Heron Tower by 4 floors, taking the structural height to 203m and the total height to 242m.

Heron Tower replaces two buildings, Bishops House and Kempson House, built in 1976 and 1960 respectively.

Heron Tower is constructed from steel and is clad with a stainless steel curtain wall which is naturally ventilated on the east and west sides. The south side incorporates photovoltaic glass which is cooled by recycled air, thus reducing energy consumption.

The building's cladding covers an area of 40,000 sq m along with 31,150 sq m of glazing.

Heron Tower is constructed from around 8,500 pieces of structural steel.

The tower is home to around 4,300 workers.

There is a 70,000 litre aquarium in the entrance lobby.

There are three concourse levels which include retail areas and entrance foyers.

Office facilities are arranged around a north facing atrium and are stacked in units of twelve, each of three stories.

Offices are situated on levels 2 through to 37 whilst levels 38 to 40 incorporate a bar, conference facilities and a public restaurant situated on level 39, which is served by two dedicated high-speed glass lifts.

Levels 41 to 46 are dedicated to plant.

The building is topped with a communications mast.

Net office space amounts to 40,836 square metres (439,552 square feet).

The lifts are entirely custom built for the tower to reflect its design; the operating panels display a legend of the tower showing passengers exactly where they are at any given point.

10 of the 18 lifts are glass and double-decker and travel at speeds of up to 7 metres (23 feet) per second.