The world’s largest sunshade has been draped over the Walkie Talkie in a bid to tame its notorious “death ray”.
The entire south side of the 500ft tower at 20 Fenchurch Street, since nicknamed the Walkie Scorchie, has been covered with black netting to reduce the glare caused by its unique glass architecture focusing solar beams onto streets below.
Last summer, rays of light six times stronger than direct sunlight were recorded during the construction phase, with the temperature rising to 110 degrees centigrade at its peak.
It was enough to fry and egg on the streets, blister paintwork and melted the bodywork of vehicles parked on the southern side of the tower.
The temporary cover will eventually be replaced by a brise soleil, aluminium fins which will block the sun rays from reflecting down onto the streets.
The City of London approved permission for the permanent solution in April.
The brise soleil will be installed between the third and 34th floors and it is understood it could cost developers around £10million and take six months to fit.
Developers Land Securities and the Canary Wharf Group said the netting would have a “limited” effect on the views of the Thames for its tenants including insurance giants RSA, CAN Financial and Tokio Marine.
