NatWest Tower under construction, London 1977

The NatWest Tower, now officially known as Tower 42, is one of London’s landmark skyscrapers. It was originally built as the headquarters of the National Westminster Bank.

Construction began in 1971, and when it was completed in 1980, it was the tallest building in the UK at 183 metres (600 feet) and 42 storeys high. The tower was designed by Richard Seifert & Partners, with its distinctive profile shaped to resemble the bank’s logo when viewed from above — three chevrons forming a triangular plan.

At the time of its completion, the NatWest Tower represented a bold move toward modern high-rise office design in the City of London, where building heights had traditionally been kept low. It offered panoramic views across London and quickly became a defining feature of the City’s skyline.

In 1993, the building was damaged by an IRA bomb attack nearby, leading to a period of refurbishment. After the bank vacated the building in the late 1990s, it was renamed Tower 42 and repositioned as a multi-tenant office tower.

Today, Tower 42 remains a prominent part of London’s City skyline, though it has since been surpassed in height by many newer towers. It also houses restaurants and bars with views across the capital.