The original takeover battle for Canary Wharf just over a decade ago created a script that could, and should have been made into a Hollywood blockbuster – think certificate-18 suspense thriller with scenes of psychological violence that critics acclaim as “breaking new bounds”. The second installment, sadly, has followed well-trodden sequel territory by not living up to the hype.

When Songbird Estates, the majority owner of the Canary Wharf Group that runs the sprawling financial district in London's East End, revealed in early November that its 28.6% shareholder, the Qatar Investment Authority, and Brookfield Property Partners, had made a preliminary approach "expressing an interest in formulating an offer", the City took its seat and prepared for the long-awaited follow-up to the first battle.