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Press release - September 2011

Heron Tower Aquarium now fully stocked

Heron International, the pan European property group, and the National Marine Aquarium are pleased to announce that the aquarium in the lobby of Heron Tower, the prime office development on Bishopsgate in the City of London, is now complete, containing 1200 tropical fish.

The aquarium is the largest in private hands in Britain, measuring 12m wide by 2m deep; the water height is 3.6m. It contains 70,000 litres of water and weighs around 100 tonnes when fully filled. The tank is made of acrylic panelling, which in places is 22cm thick. The 67 different species within the tank range from the relatively small Green Chromis (just 60mm when fully grown) to Brownbanded Catsharks, Epaulette and Port Jackson Sharks. The National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth has supplied the fish and will be responsible for their ongoing care and maintenance. The aquarium will be checked daily for fish health, cleanliness and water chemistry; food will be prepared on site and the fish will be fed 2-3 times per day according to their requirements. Two full-time fish attendants will ensure the highest standards of welfare and divers will enter the aquarium to clean the artificial coral and windows twice a week.

The aquarium’s ecological design is based on Heron Island, which is situated just a few kilometres off the southernmost tip of The Great Barrier Reef. The species have been carefully chosen by expert biologists and animal curators from the National Marine Aquarium to ensure compatibility and ease of adaptability to the aquarium environment. They have been supplied in an ethical and sustainable manner.

Peter Ferrari, Managing Director of Property Development at Heron International, said:

“Heron Tower is a truly exceptional building. From its location at the heart of the City, to the quality of finish, through to its unique features including the double-decker high speed lifts, concierge service and, of course, the outstanding aquarium that provides a real impact for visitors to the building, Heron Tower really does set new standards for office developments.”

Dr David Gibson, Managing Director at the National Marine Aquarium, said:

“We are delighted that the aquarium is now complete and providing a fantastic centrepiece for Heron Tower. This is the first project of its kind that the team at the National Marine Aquarium has delivered in the UK, so we are justly proud of the results. We have two full time members of staff based at Heron Tower to ensure that the aquarium is maintained to the highest standards.”

Media Enquiries & Publication Quality Images:
Redleaf Polhill (PR to Heron International): 020 7566 6700
Emma Kane / Henry Columbine / Luis Mackness: herontower@redleafpr.com

Notes to Editors:

About Heron Tower

  • Heron Tower is London’s newest skyscraper, completed in March 2011 and stretching 230m into the City skyline
  • It is the tallest building in the City of London
  • It provides 40,836 sq m of office space spread over 36 floors, plus a public ground floor restaurant and bar and a restaurant and sky bar at the top of the building, also open to the public and accessed via direct scenic lifts from Bishopsgate
  • It has a BREEAM environmental and sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’
  • The development includes fully glazed, double-decker lifts affording spectacular views
  • Its triple-height aquarium accommodates the UK’s largest privately owned aquarium containing 1200 fish of 67 different species
  • The development is approximately 20% let
  • Further information is available at www.herontower.com

About the National Marine Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium is a registered charity committed to promoting a sympathetic understanding of the sea through programmes of education, conservation and research. With a mission to drive marine conservation through engagement, the National Marine Aquarium operates the largest public aquarium in the UK and is the lead partner in Just Add H2O, a programme for schools that aims to bring the marine curriculum alive.

Opened in 1998, the National Marine Aquarium is based in Plymouth, marine centre of the UK, and has since become one of the most popular attractions in the region - attracting more than 260,000 visitors every year.

With over 4,000 marine animals and Britain’s deepest tank - measuring 10.5m deep - the National Marine Aquarium includes new exhibits for 2011 including the Eddystone Reef tank and a state-of-the-art new learning centre, as part of Just Add H2O programme.

More information about National Marine Aquarium is available at
www.national-aquarium.co.uk

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