Rafael Viñoly’s 20 Fenchurch Street Welcomes A Lush Sky Garden

Less than a year after its completion, London’s towering 20 Fenchurch Street—nicknamed the Walkie-Talkie for its 579-foot-high concave façade—is no stranger to public scrutiny. The building’s reflective surface has reportedly damaged parked cars, melting their exteriors with its scalding glare. This month, however, Uruguayan-born architect Rafael Viñoly’s skyscraper is attracting more favorable attention with its newly opened Sky Garden.

Located at the pinnacle of the building, the Sky Garden offers patrons sweeping views of the city. However, it’s not just the dramatic vistas of London’s skyline that have made the space an instant attraction. British landscape architecture firm Gillespies was commissioned to install drought-resistant Mediterranean and South African foliage around the terrace, creating a lush oasis high above the city streets. Entry to the three-story Sky Garden is free, though with limited space and demand high, visitors must book online in advance.