Mega Bored
The Brits are known to give quirky nicknames on anything – including landmarks and skyscrapers. That’s because Englishmen are known for their dry sense of humor and clever one-liners. In today’s post, we are listing down some of the strangest nicknames when referring to landmarks and buildings in UK:
Helter-Skelter or The Pinnacle Tower
The Pinnacle Tower wins as having the strangest nickname. It’s called the Helter-Skelter by locals because of the structure’s unique geometrical shapes. What makes the Helter-Skelter tower even more unique is it incorporates modern and down to earth designs. Construction includes the restoration of an ancient public right of way. This links the building to London’s most recognizable landmarks: Bishopsgate and St. Mary Axe. The tower boasts of 90,000 square meters of office space and retail amenities.
As with most buildings, it was due in 2013 but there were several delays because of financial constraints. There were also rumors that the project was re-started because it had new backers. Some say that the original design was also tweaked to what it looks like after completion.
Can of Ham or Mary’s Axe
60-70 St Mary’s Axe is a 24-storey building designed by the Foggo Associates. Planning and construction approval was signed in 2008. The building should’ve been completed in 2013, but it was delayed due to economic reasons. Unfortunately, the idea remains in development. It was nicknamed “Can of Ham” by locals because of its rather distinct design. Once completed the Can of Ham will boast of an all steel and glass construction. It will feature solar panels, energy recycling systems, and other environmentally friendly components.
The Cheese Grater or the Leadenhall Building
The Leadenhall Building became one of the latest addition to the London urban jungle. It was completed in 2014. During construction, the structure earned the moniker “Cheese Grater” for its distinct slants. The wedge shape of the building also made it look like a cheese grater. The odd shape of the Cheese Grater was meant to avoid obscuring the sight line of the St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Leadenhall Building features 47 floors of office, retail and dining space. The base has 7 storeys of landscape and open spaces. The floor size ranges from 550 to 6000 square meters.
Pringle or Olympics Cycle Track
The Olympics Cycle Track is a 6,000 seat track. It boasts of 3,500 lower tier seats and 2,500 upper tier seats. The seating is divided by a 360-degree concourse level. The concourse level ensures a fantastic view of the Olympic part and the London skyline.
The Cycle track got its weird nickname because of its double-curved roof. The roof was designed to “reflect the geometry of the cycling track.” The Pringle is owned and managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.
Salt Cellar or The Shard
The Shard was known as the London Bridge Tower. But these days, locals refer to it as the Salt Cellar. The Shard is the tallest building in the European Union. It’s also the 45th tallest building in the world. In the UK, it’s the second tallest free-standing building.
The tower stands at 1,017 feet. It has 72 floors and 15 radiator floors in the roof. The Shard is unique for its eye-catching triangular shape at the base. It has a fabulous all-glass construction complete with an open-air observation deck.
