NEN Gallery

Formally the NatWest Tower. The tower was designed by Richard Seifert and constructed between 1971-1979. Tower 42 is the tallest skyscraper in the City of London and the fifth tallest in London as a whole. It was originally built for the National Westminster Bank (NatWest), hence its former name. It was extremely controversial when built, as it was a major departure from the previous restrictions on tall buildings in London. The building is constructed around a huge concrete core from which the floors are cantilevered, giving it great strength but significantly limiting the amount of office space available, as bank trading requirements changed it became unsuitable for this use.