Amazing Aerial Pictures

Amazing aerial pictures show how London's skyline 

has changed over 18 spectacular months

صور جوية مذهلة لمدينة الضباب "لندن"

From the wedge-shaped 'Cheesegrater' to the more solid-looking 'Walkie-Talkie', these spectacular photos taken from 2,400-feet above London show how skyscrapers have been springing up in the capital in the past 18-months.Aerial photographer Jason Hawkes took the pictures while flying in a helicopter over the financial district of the capital.Despite the rest of Britain being in the doldrums after the economic downturn, these photos show London is still climbing. Once finished The Leadenhall Building, nicknamed the 'Cheesegrater' will tower more than 100m over its neighbour - the distinctive Lloyd's building.Work started on the Cheesegrater in September, 2011 and is expected to be finished in the summer of 2014.It will have external lifts and the slanting wedge-shaped design means the much-loved view from Fleet Street to St Paul's Cathedral will not be ruined as it would have been if it had been a normal bloc.One of the most hotly anticipated buildings in London and one of the most controversial is the 'Walkie-Talkie' in Fenchurch Street.The top heavy design makes the building's most distinctive feature possible - it will have a top floor 'sky garden' which will be open to the public.Originally planned to be 40-metres taller, developers faced opposition from heritage groups who feared the view of St Paul's would be ruined.The concrete core was recently topped out and the structural steelwork is now underway. Completion is expected in 2014.Mr Hawkes said: 'I started this project to capture the ever-changing face of London.'London has changed a considerable amount over the years and new development plans continue to appear, with buildings materialising as if overnight.'But the process for one building has not been so fast.'Despite starting in 2008, construction has been on hold for The Pinnacle since early 2012.'However, almost every time I go up in the air over London there is something new to photograph.'Each adjustment to the city is really fascinating.'

London's Skyline

 صور جوية مذهلة لمدينة الضباب "لندن"