Perhaps not everybody in the Spitalfields protest movement envisaged something like this when they set out. The views of illustrious local residents such as artists Gilbert and George are not known, though they have signed up to the campaign. William Taylor, chaplain at nearby London Guildhall University and one of the campaign organizers, however says: “There’s real support for this. It is potentially a ‘wow’ building. Will is responding in his own way to the developer’s brief having spoken to us. Those who have been consistently against any offices here are now starting to concede that offices could be placed above the market hall in this way.”

Such a solution is actually very American, where “air rights” buildings are commonplace. Successful public spaces have been created beneath elevated skyscrapers, and historic buildings such as churches have been preserved by this means. There is absolutely no reason why it should not work here, and provide a resolution between developers and local traders and residents. And if you think the building looks somewhat startling - it isn’t nearly as startling as Hawksmoor’s church was, in its day.