20 Fenchurch Street Sky Garden was officially opened on the 12th of January 2015, making access to uninterrupted views of London available to all.

The space is operated by acclaimed food and drink group Rhubarb and hosts public viewing terraces, innovative botanic spaces, a café/bar and two restaurants.

Visitors are already flocking to the garden and the public viewing terraces are proving extremely popular. Ensuring anybody can enjoy the space’s unrivalled views of the capital free of charge was integral to our plans for the building from the outset. This is an unprecedented move amongst tower owners, and we are proud to have created this sought-after City amenity.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alan Yarrow, Robert Noel and Sir George Iacobescu were at the opening to plant the final addition to the garden, a Malaysian Loquat Eriobotrya tree. The Lord Mayor was born in Malaysia and previously worked at the site where 20 Fenchurch Street is now, so it was particularly appropriate for him to officially declare the Sky Garden open. The event marks the completion of a building which has achieved remarkable success in terms of return on investment and tenant satisfaction, and is leading the field when it comes to sustainability.

Land Securities' commitment to green architecture at 20 Fenchurch Street extends far beyond the exotic flora growing in the Sky Garden – promoting biodiversity and reducing the building’s impact on the environment has been crucial to them from day one.

Among initiatives put in place to achieve this was the installation of a hydrogen fuel-cell, which is forecast to reduce the development’s CO2 emissions by 6.6%. This is the first time the technology has been introduced to the City, having originally been developed for space missions! In addition, roof mounted photovoltaics will provide the building with 27,300 KWh a year.

20 Fenchurch Street is rated BREEAM excellent and hosts one of the UK’s largest green walls which, alongside the Sky Garden, is helping to promote much needed urban biodiversity. One of the occupiers, Stuart Blakeborough of Lancashire Insurance Group, summed it up perfectly when he said, “this takes green architecture to a new level.”

Office space at the building has been exceptionally popular with tenants, most of whom have now moved in, as they enjoy a combination of efficiency, technical resilience and breath-taking 360 degree views of the capital.

‘Walkie Talkie’, the public’s affectionate nickname for the development, is testament to its character. This City newcomer is another striking addition to the fascinating mix of old and new architecture found within the historic Square Mile.

For more information about the Sky Garden, and to book a visit http://skygarden.london.