Canary Wharf

Designed by architect Norman Foster and structurally and mechanically engineered by Arup, the HSBC tower was topped out in March this year.

It currently stands as the second highest building in Europe, just a few storeys shorter than its famous neighbour 1 Canada Square.

Generator testing has recently been completed on the site and, at the end of August, the western face of the crown lit red and white logo and halo of light at the top of the building were switched on for the first time.

The 10 m lighting feature was engineered by Arup and will eventually be illuminated on all of the tower's four external faces.

HSBC's London based staff are currently distributed around the City. All 8500 are expected to be housed in the building, due for completion next year.