Proposed Design for The Great Tower of London (Architectural Competition)

The success of the Eiffel Tower, erected in Paris in 1889, led to a demand for a similar structure in London. In 1890 a competition was organised which attracted 68 entries, these being subsequently published in an illustrated catalogue. The competition was won by Stewart, McLaren and Dunn who were awarded the first premium of 500 guineas. Construction began at Wembley Park in 1892 but the contractor, the Metropolitan Tower Company soon ran into difficulties and delays due to the marshy ground conditions. Construction ceased after only 47 metres had been completed. The abandoned 'tower' (known as the Watkins Folly, or The London Stump) remained a spectacle in the park for several years before being deemed unsafe and blown up in 1904. Wembley Stadium was built over the site as part of the 1923 British Empire Exhibition. When the stadium was rebuilt in 2000, the lowering of the level of the pitch resulted in the concrete foundations of the failed tower being rediscovered.

Among the unsuccessful entries was that submitted by the Manchester architect Theodore Sington. Design No 45 was to rise to a height of 1,200 feet and cost an estimated £330,000. Of steel construction, it was to be 215 feet square at its base, and 50 feet square at the top platform and weigh 9,250 tons. Sington claimed that the design had been inspired by Tower of Atesh-Gah at Firuzabad. In addition to Inclined Balconies, it was proposed to provide lifts and electric lighting.

Reference         Descriptive illustrated catalogue of the sixty-eight competitive designs for the great tower for London compiled and edited by Fred. C. Lynde A.M.Inst.C.E., 25, Cross Street, Manchester, and 9, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, for The Tower Company, Limited, St. Stephen's Chambers, Westminster, London S.W. - Design No 45 Page 98-99