Are iconic towers practical?

Everyone who walks around, lives in, and flies into London is impressed by our fascinating skyline. And why wouldn’t you be? A building the shape of a gherkin or a shard of glass is not something you see every day. That being said, how practical is it actually to work in one of these quirky, albeit iconic, buildings?

Firsts things first, in times like these, security issues are a primary concern. Entering one of London’s iconic towers is like passing through security at the airport; not something you want to be doing if you’re running late to an early morning meeting. Unfortunately, the extra security is deemed necessary due to the escalated terrorism risks on the well-known tower buildings.

Secondly, consider office layout: how efficient is a circular floor plate (like the one found in the Gherkin)? Having to design an office to fit around a circular core and circular frame does not make for efficient space planning. With a rectangular floor plate, you can comfortably fit one member of staff in every 70 sq ft, but with less efficient floor plates it is likely to be one employee per 100 sq ft.

Finally, you cannot open the windows. A lot of companies like offices where they can let fresh air in. Yes, a good air-conditioning system is pumping air into the space so you don’t really need to open a window, but for many people, nothing replaces the invigorating breeze of fresh air.

Eugene O’Sullivan a Chartered Surveyor and Managing Director at Morgan Pryce, says; “While the views and addresses of these iconic buildings may possess a certain WOW! factor, the spaces do not always work for all companies’ office set ups.”

This news was brought to you by Morgan Pryce, a specialist tenant acquisition agent with offices in Oxford Circus and the City. Morgan Pryce specialises in search, negotiation and project management and works exclusively for tenants