London’s “sky pool” looks simple at first glance, but the idea of swimming inside a transparent tube suspended between two buildings still catches people off guard. The structure links two apartment towers in Nine Elms with a clear span of water that lets swimmers look straight down at the city below.
The concept took shape years ago when the development team wanted a feature that would set the project apart without feeling gimmicky. Engineers in Colorado built the acrylic section as a single piece, then shipped it to London for installation. The process left almost no margin for adjustment, which is part of why the pool became a talking point long before residents ever took a dip in it.
Inside The Sky Pool
The Sky Pool spans about 82 feet and sits around 115 feet above ground level, connecting two luxury residential buildings. It hangs off the tenth floor, which means swimmers see streets, courtyards, and rooftops below them with no visual buffer. Engineers designed the acrylic shell to support the water’s weight while also dealing with building movement.
Tall structures shift slightly with wind or settlement, so the pool needed flexibility that wouldn’t break its seal. Teams built it abroad, tested it, then shipped it across the Atlantic for installation. The final lift placed it with inches to spare between the two towers. Anyone who has ever tried to maneuver a sofa through a hallway can appreciate how tense that moment must have been.
How It Became A Status Symbol
Developers at Embassy Gardens sought something that would distinguish the project in a crowded luxury market, and their plan succeeded. The pool became a visual signature of the neighborhood long before it opened. Apartments in the complex start in the million-dollar range, with penthouses climbing much higher.
Residents also get a tenth-floor bar, a spa, and access to private club spaces. The pool became part of an entire lifestyle package sold to buyers who liked the idea of crossing buildings through water. Marketing highlighted views of the London Eye, the Palace of Westminster, and the nearby United States Embassy.
Reactions Haven’t Landed In One Place
Image via Pexels/Ivan S
Public response ranges widely. Some see it as a bucket-list moment. Others see it as a nightmare suspended in midair. Commentary online erupted with jokes about testing every fear at once. Comparisons floated around linking it to cracked glass walkways in other countries or rooftop pool incidents captured on video.
People who tried the pool ahead of its opening described the sensation as strange and thrilling. Swimming over open space shifts a person’s instinct for safety even when they know the structure passed rigorous testing.
Engineers behind the project said the goal was to make users feel like they were almost flying. The transparency increases that effect. Even those who stay dry in the rooftop loungers can sense the buzz of a setup that defies instinct.