Heron Tower (110 Bishopsgate)

Design and characteristics

The tower was developed to provide multi-tenant office accommodation with ancillary retail and hospitality facilities at lower and upper levels. The design emphasises efficient, column‑free floor plates to meet the needs of corporate and professional tenants, while glazed façades increase natural daylight for interior spaces. Plant floors and modern building services are integrated to support contemporary office requirements, including energy management and large tenant fit-outs. Public-facing elements such as ground-level retail and high-level restaurants and event spaces contribute to the building’s role beyond pure workspace, offering views across the City.

• Primary use: multi-storey commercial offices with retail and hospitality elements.
• Public amenities: ground-floor retail, upper-level dining and event venues that attract visitors as well as occupiers.
• Urban context: part of a wave of late 2000s and early 2010s developments transforming the City of London skyline.

Construction, ownership and naming

Construction of the tower took place between 2007 and 2011. The development was delivered by Heron International, whose name gave rise to the building’s popular informal title, the Heron Tower. The official postal and planning name remains 110 Bishopsgate. In 2014 a naming dispute between the developer and a major tenant drew public attention when the tenant sought prominent corporate signage; local authorities confirmed the formal name as 110 Bishopsgate, illustrating how commercial branding and formal addresses can differ for high-profile buildings.

Tenants, uses and public access

The building is occupied by a mix of firms in finance, professional services and technology sectors, reflecting the broader tenant profile of the City. Lower floors provide retail and some publicly accessible amenities, while higher levels contain dining venues and private event spaces with panoramic views. Access arrangements and visiting policies for restaurants and public spaces are set by the building management and individual operators; prospective visitors should consult current listings for opening hours and booking requirements.

Significance and reception

110 Bishopsgate is commonly cited as an example of early‑21st‑century commercial high-rise development in London. Its completion was noted in contemporary coverage for its scale and for reshaping sight-lines within the City. The naming matter involving the developer and a substantial tenant received attention because it raised questions about corporate identity on the built environment and the role of planning and civic authorities in place‑naming.

Further information

Readers seeking detailed planning records, architectural descriptions or the latest tenancy information can consult municipal archives and specialist property sources. General background on high-rise buildings and their role in urban centres is available through introductions to skyscraper design and urban planning. For related references see skyscraper resources, municipal information at City of London, national context England, comparative rankings UK building lists and histories of earlier City towers such as Tower 42.