A razor-clean Foster residential tower—minimalism as real estate, with just enough rigor to keep it from being bland.
Residential skyscraper in Shoreditch.
Featured in Foster + Partners's definitive monograph, Norman Foster: A Life in Architecture.
Visitor Guide
Best experienced as a skyline element: find a vantage where it reads with the City cluster and compare it to Foster’s more expressive commercial towers.
From a nearby street alignment that frames the tower rising above lower blocks, late afternoon for softer glass reflections.
Residential tower: interior access is restricted to residents/guests; exterior viewing only.
The ‘parametric’ story here is mostly optimization—glazing ratios, daylight, and floorplate efficiency—quiet engineering rather than loud form.
10–15 minutes
Design & Structure
High-rise residential workflow: BIM coordination, unit stacking and core optimization, facade performance studies; form remains disciplined and orthogonal while details do the work.
Glass, metal, and high-end interior finishes; material strategy focuses on clarity, reflectivity, and long-term facade performance.
Standard tall-building core and frame; engineering focuses on wind comfort, lateral stability, and vibration control for residential standards.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Principal Tower — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Principal Tower?+
Principal Tower was designed by Foster + Partners and completed in 2019. It is located in London, United Kingdom.
Where is Principal Tower located?+
Principal Tower is located in London, United Kingdom. Its coordinates are 51.5220°, -0.0802°.
When was Principal Tower built?+
Principal Tower was completed in 2019. It was designed by Foster + Partners.
Can I visit Principal Tower?+
Principal Tower is a real building in London that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.