The “Walkie Talkie” and “Cheesegrater” are nicknames for just two of the latest bizarrely-shaped tower blocks to appear on London’s skyline, to mixed reaction and sometimes unexpected consequences. The “Boomerang” and “Scalpel” are next in the pipeline. But are these modern-day monoliths good for the capital?

On an unseasonably hot September morning, Martin Lindsay parked his Jaguar on Eastcheap, in the City of London.

Two hours later, he returned to find parts of his car – including its wing mirror and badge – had melted.

It transpired the sun reflecting from the nearly-built 37-storey “Walkie Talkie” – nicknamed such because of its distinctive shape – was to blame.

Within days, Eastcheap was not only under the full glare of the sun, but also the world’s media – who were reporting smouldering bicycle seats, singed doormats and even eggs being fried on the street.

The “Walkie Talkie” was not the only skyscraper to unexpectedly hit the headlines this year.

Elsewhere, the observation deck on The Shard – western Europe’s tallest building at 310m (1,016ft) – opened, while the Leadenhall Building, dubbed the “Cheesegrater”, because of its distinctive wedge shape, became the second tallest building in the City of London at 224m (734ft).

But are these new additions to the skyline an improvement?

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