Vauxhall Tower Residential Development

St George set out to create a 51-storey residential tower that reimagined central London living – homes with sweeping views, generous daylight and a calm, slender presence on the skyline.

We provided civil and structural engineering across the scheme, helping the team navigate complex ground conditions, tight site boundaries and a long list of technical approvals.

Engineering for height and complexity

Working closely with the client and contractor, we led a value engineering exercise that delivered meaningful savings without compromising the design ambition.

The approvals process was extensive. We worked with London Underground, Transport for London, the Environment Agency, the River Thames Authority and local Highways teams, each bringing its own requirements to resolve.

To create bright, view-led homes, we engineered a slim, glass-clad structure with minimal visible framing. The aim was simple: keep transparency high and visual clutter low while ensuring the tower stayed stable in all conditions.

Wind behaviour was a major focus. Using wind tunnel testing and Computational Fluid Dynamics modelling, we assessed movement and pressure at height. Those insights shaped the structure and kept comfort consistent for residents on every floor.

Raising the bar for city living

The completed tower stands proudly beside the Thames, offering long, uninterrupted views across the capital. Its slim silhouette and refined façade add a new note to the cityscape, while the engineering beneath it ensures quiet, long-term stability.

A landmark for London’s skyline

Vauxhall Tower – known locally as “The Pencil” – shows what’s possible when ambition and clear thinking come together. It turns a constrained plot into a vertical neighbourhood that looks to London’s future while fitting comfortably into its riverside setting.