A new skyscraper with an eye-catching appearance which is bound to divide opinion could become London's second tallest building.

The Tulip could become the latest tower to join the likes of the Gherkin, Shard and Walkie Talkie in the capital's cluster of skyscrapers.

At 305.3 metres tall, it would be just 3 feet shorter than the capital's tallest tower, The Shard, and loom above the second highest, One Canada Square at Canary Wharf.

But there would be no homes or offices and it would be a visitor and tourist destination only.

The Tulip has been designed by architects Foster + Partners, who are behind the neighbouring Gherkin.

If approved by City planners, the Tulip, would overtake the under-development One Undershaft as the Square Mile's tallest tower.

The viewing pods on The Tulip, which would move around at the top of the tower. This project is proposed by J. Safra Group and Foster + Partners.
The viewing pods on The Tulip, which would move around at the top of the tower

The planning application has been made to the City of London Corporation, which governs the Square Mile financial district.

The last tower the Corporation approved for construction was The Diamond, this July, which Londoners quickly dubbed "Cheesegrater 2" for its resemblance to the existing similarly tapered neighbour of the same nickname.

One Undershaft is set to reach 289.9m, and Cheesegrater 2 will stand at 263.4m.

The Tulip would feature a viewing platform at 300 metres, a sky bar, a restaurant with a 360-degree view of the city, sky bridges, internal glass slides and gondola pod rides on the building’s outside.

The planning application also includes a two-storey pavilion next to the skyscraper, featuring a publicly-accessible rooftop garden.

It would also feature an educational hub towering above the City for 20,000 state-schooled children a year, delivered by the J.Safra group, whose Bury St Properties will pay for the development, on national curriculum topics.

The stunning Atrium of the planned new Tulip skyscraper, which could be added to London's skyline. This project is proposed by J. Safra Group and Foster + Partners.
The stunning Atrium of the planned new Tulip skyscraper, which could be added to London's skyline

"The Tulip’s elegance and soft strength complements the iconic Gherkin," Jacob Safra said of the design.

Foster and Partners say the building is designed with sustainability in mind with the minimal "soft bud-like form" and high performance glass complemented by an internally-generated heating and cooling system.

The Corporation is currently considering Londoners' views on the future so-called Eastern Cluster, where its skyscrapers are located, planning for an influx of future workers who will need more public space.

'Tulip' facts

  • The building’s weight is equivalent to 80 fully-loaded Airbus A380s on a footprint that is half the size of a single plane
  • Each of the three buttress ribs takes the force of 1,200 London double decker buses
  • You could pack nine London Underground trains within one level of the concrete shaft
  • Laid end-to-end, the steel reinforcement bar would reach as far as Paris – 300 miles away