Builders and project partners celebrated the topping out ceremony for One Station Hill earlier this week (Monday, September 18).
Once complete, the building will stand at 78metres tall – one of the tallest in town – behind the Blade which is 86metres.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service attended the event, which involved going to the highest occupiable storey of the new building.
This vantage point gave unique views of Reading in what is one of the tallest buildings in the town.
The Hewitt tower, the Chatham Street development and the Foundry Quarter development in Weldale Street could all be seen to the west, with the vista stretching across the Thames Valley.
Almost the entirety of Caversham could also be seen from the building, as well as the neighbouring Thames Tower and Reading Station.
The topping out event involved a ceremonial laying of wet concrete, nailing a tree branch to a wooden structure as part of a builders’ ritual, and the toasting of ale.
Sir Robert McAlpine, the building contractors and event organisers hired a bagpiper from Bristol to perform during the ceremony.
One Station Hill is set to be complete in 2024, with Station Hill development owners Lincoln Property Company launching a dedicated website for the office building earlier this year.