A planning application was submitted to the Corporation of London on the 10th February 2004.

The redevelopment involved the demolition of 122 Leadenhall Street, a 14-storey office tower built in 1969.

The vertical circulation is located on the north side, opposite the lobby and main entrance facing The Lloyd's Building.

The floor plates vary in size which allows for great flexibility in providing office space which can be cellular or open-plan.

The distinctive wedge shape is designed to virtually eliminate the building intruding into the sight-line of St. Paul's Cathedral when viewed along Fleet Street and up Ludgate Hill.

The building's height above ordnance datum (AOD) is 239.4 metres (785 feet).

The open space at the base rises to seven storeys and contains trees and retail amenities.

Each floor plate on the south side is stepped back by .75 metres from the one below, resulting in the distinctive wedge shape when viewed from the east and west.

Of the 29 lifts, 22 are exterior, glass, and fully scenic.

The ladder frame on the rear (north side) encloses the fire-fighting cores which serve the office floors.

The support core to the north is conceived as a separate tower which contains the passenger and freight lifts, service risers, floor plant and lavatories.

The low-, mid- and high-rise sections are served by three groups of passenger lifts which are connected by two transfer lobbies at floors ten and twenty-four respectively.

Because of the northern support core's relative position to the office floors, the structure doesn't require over-cladding with fire protection, meaning it can be designed and expressed as visible steelwork.

Solar gain to the office areas is countered with the incorporation of remotely controlled blinds.