1 min read
Property entrepreneur Gerald Ronson doesn’t strike me as the feng shui type. But it appears he has become quite au fait with the ancient Chinese concept. At a ceremony laying a time capsule in the foundations of Heron Tower – to be London’s tallest office building – Mr Ronson, wearing a hard hat and fluorescent yellow jacket, explained how the capsule included an ethically-sourced tortoiseshell, which he assured died of natural causes.
He said: “In case you are wondering why a tortoiseshell, it is because, in feng shui theory, the tortoise, dragon, phoenix and tiger form four kinds of energy that surround a building. The tortoise represents a strong back, protection and security. For this reason, a tortoiseshell is commonly placed into the foundations of a building that incorporates feng shui principles. It is believed to help keep it safe and is considered an auspicious symbol in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore and parts of China.” (the dragon, phoenix and tiger are commonly ignored, no doubt because they are more difficult to source).
Got it. Feng shui is good for business. That sounds a bit more like Ronson.
Also in the capsule were: signed drawings of Heron Tower by the architect, Leo Polisano; planning permission for the Heron Tower, a copy of the Evening Standard dated 18 June 2008 containing an interview with Gerald Ronson entitled ‘My London tower is the only one that’ll be built’; a copy of the Financial Times dated 16 July 2009; a DVD of the artist’s impression of the site on completion; an ordinance survey map of the Bishopsgate area for 2009 photographs of the site prior to demolition. No JC? Poor show Mr Ronson.