Architect Behind 'Death Ray Hotel'

The architect behind London's "Walkie Scorchie" skyscraper - said to have burned holes in buildings below - encountered similar problems with an American tower he designed years earlier.

The £200 million concave tower at 20 Fenchurch Street was the vision of Rafael Vinoly, who was also responsible for the Vdara Hotel in Las Vegas.

But both have earned unwelcome monikers due to their apparent inadvertent ability to bounce heat from the sun on to the streets below.

The 57-storey Vdara is described as being "distinguished by its slender profile and curvature".

But it was christened the "Death Ray Hotel" three years ago after guests reportedly complained of being burnt as sun reflected off the tower.

In central London, the half-finished 37-storey tower has been declared responsible for causing blistered paintwork, smashed tiles and singed fabric. Motorist Martin Lindsay also said the intense heat melted part of his Jaguar when it was parked on the street.

Developers Land Securities and Canary Wharf say they have agreed to foot the bill for the repair work, and have also built a large temporary shield to reduce the chance of further damage to businesses in the path of the reflected sunlight.

Mr Vinoly, originally from Uruguay but who has offices in London, was unavailable for comment.