London Mayor Boris Johnson tried to convince Apple to fund the UK capital's project to build a "Garden Bridge" across the River Thames, as reported by Business Insider.

The report cites an article published today in The Architects' Journal which details how Johnson secretly travelled to California in early 2013 to meet Apple executives and pitch the ambitious project, before he had received official backing for the scheme from his office.

London Garden Bridge

Proposed design for Garden Bridge over the River Thames (Image: Arup)

Apple is well known for its intense interest in architectural design and its close attention to detail when planning and building its retail stores. However, it has little history of funding projects unrelated to its technology business, making Johnson's attempts to woo the company seem ill-judged.

In a statement given to The Architect's Journal, the London Mayor's office confirmed a meeting indeed took place with Apple to discuss "investment opportunities in London." However, Apple informed the publication that the company has "no involvement in this bridge project and is not considering getting involved."

Top Rated Comments

ArtOfWarfare Avatar
93 months ago
What exactly would Apple have gotten out of this?

They're all about architecture when it comes to selling products... But that bridge isn't part of any of their stores. Would it be visible from their stores?

Imagining street vendors on the bridge selling Apple products now.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Quu Avatar
93 months ago
Boris is a bumbling buffoon. And I say that as a Londoner.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morris Avatar
93 months ago
TfL are paying a lot of money towards this bridge, which is one of the reasons this thing is so controversial - it's a vanity project that has pretty questionable value in terms of transport.

e.g.: Cycles won't be allowed on the bridge (London desperately needs better cycle routes, especially crossing the river), and it won't be a public right of way. It may be closed for corporate events, closed at night time, and tickets may be required at peak times.

Still, it's a cool project.

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/garden-bridges-20m-public-loan-to-be-repaid-over-50-years/8691575.fullarticle
Agreed, it is a cool project and something I wouldn't mind seeing.

However, the main problem is that is a private project, it is operated by a company, not by the city/councils and won't become public space yet they do want to use over £60 million of public money to build this private property. The Londoners who have already paid for the bridge through taxes will then still have to pay an entrance fee because, despite paying for it, it won't be their bridge.

If this bridge receives public money it should serve the public. Instead it mainly serves some private company. The problem is of course that if this was a public project, it wouldn't be built. TfL have dozens of more important things to fund, river crossings for cyclists for instance. At places where there is a big demand to cross the river. Not a vanity project connecting two areas full of millionaires.

Essentially the whole garden bridge project is a scam to funnel public money to private pockets. No wonder this scandal drags on and new dirt is discovered every couple of weeks. I think a few heads will roll before the end of the year.

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/apr/21/garden-bridges-future-in-jeopardy-as-judicial-review-is-granted
http://prod.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/select-committee-urges-garden-bridge-funding-probe/8688887.fullarticle
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reason077 Avatar
93 months ago
Why doesn't he ask TfL to help, since they 'reinvest all their income'?
TfL are paying a lot of money towards this bridge, which is one of the reasons this thing is so controversial - it's a vanity project that has pretty questionable value in terms of transport.

e.g.: Cycles won't be allowed on the bridge (London desperately needs better cycle routes, especially crossing the river), and it won't be a public right of way. It may be closed for corporate events, closed at night time, and tickets may be required at peak times.

Still, it's a cool project.

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/garden-bridges-20m-public-loan-to-be-repaid-over-50-years/8691575.fullarticle
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sirious Avatar
93 months ago
Why doesn't he ask TfL to help, since they 'reinvest all their income'?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wordsworth Avatar
93 months ago
Despite the 'garden' aspect, this project truly stinks.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Leak Reveals Unified Volume Button and Mute Button

Monday March 20, 2023 8:33 am PDT by
As previously rumored, the next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a unified volume button and a mute button, according to leaked CAD images shared in a video on the Chinese version of TikTok and posted to Twitter by ShrimpApplePro. Instead of separate buttons for volume up and volume down, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have a single elongated button for...
original iphone auction

Factory-Sealed Original iPhone Sells for $55,000 at Auction

Friday March 17, 2023 1:08 pm PDT by
A first-generation iPhone still sealed inside its box sold for $54,904 at auction, which is more than $54,000 over the original $599 price tag of the device when it was released in 2007. The original iPhone was put up for sale by RR Auction on behalf of a former Apple employee who purchased it back when it first came out. Back in February, an original, sealed iPhone sold for over $63,000,...
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Feature

iPhone 12 Pro vs. 15 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

Friday March 17, 2023 10:29 am PDT by
While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always groundbreaking, new features can begin to stack up over multiple generations. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a three-year-old iPhone 12 Pro. If you are still using an iPhone 12 Pro and are considering upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro when it launches later this year, we have put together a...
top stories 18mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Pricing, New iOS 16.4 Beta, Siri vs. ChatGPT, and More

Saturday March 18, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's high-end iPhone models have started at $999 in the U.S. since they first launched back in 2017 with the iPhone X, but could this finally be the year that starting price sees an increase? This week also saw some more rumors about Apple's upcoming headset and the company's explorations in the booming AI industry as well as the release of a new round of beta updates, so read on for all...
iPhone 15 Pro Mock Feature Buttonless

iPhone 15 Pro Max to 'Break Record' for Thinnest Bezels on a Smartphone

Friday March 17, 2023 2:59 am PDT by
The iPhone 15 Pro Max will have the thinnest bezels of any smartphone, beating the record currently held by the Xiaomi 13. That's according to the leaker known as "Ice Universe," who has divulged accurate information about Apple's plans in the past. Both iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have thinner, curved bezels compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, potentially resulting in an Apple...
iphone 14 pro max deep purple feature purple

iPhone 15 Pro Launching This Year With These 11 New Features

Monday March 13, 2023 6:47 am PDT by
While the iPhone 15 lineup is around six months away, there have already been plenty of rumors about the devices. Many new features and changes are expected for the iPhone 15 Pro models in particular, including a titanium frame and more. Below, we have recapped 11 features rumored for iPhone 15 Pro models that are not expected to be available on the standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus:A17...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple continues to test iOS 16.4, which includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features coming with the software update, including new emoji, push notifications from websites, and more. Apple says iOS 16.4 will be available in the spring, which begins today. In his newsletter this weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should ...