World’s first 360-degree rooftop infinity pool planned for London skyline

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We faced some quite major technical challenges to this building, the biggest one being how to actually get into the pool,” Compass Pool’s swimming pool designer and technical director Alex Kemsley told e-architect.co.uk. open image in gallery Infinity London would sit on top of a 220m skyscraper “The solution is based on the door of a submarine, coupled with a rotating spiral staircase which rises from the pool floor when someone wants to get in or out – the absolute cutting edge of swimming pool and building design and a little bit James Bond to boot!” In addition to the sides, the bottom of the pool will also be transparent, allowing hotel guests to look up and see people swimming above them. “Architects often come to us to design roof top infinity pools, but rarely do we get a say in the building design because the pool is usually an afterthought,” said Kemsley. “But on this project, we actually started with the pool design and essentially said, ‘how do we put a building underneath this?’ “When we designed the pool, we wanted an uninterrupted view, both above and below the water.” He added: “Pop your goggles on and with a 360-degree view of London from 220m up, it really will be something else – but it’s definitely not one for the acrophobic!” Infinity London’s construction could start by 2020 if all investors and developers are confirmed.