Over the past two years the property market has experienced the most difficult business conditions in living memory. Falling values, lack of demand for commercial space and tight funding conditions have meant there is a real possibility of development sites laying empty for a number of years.

British Land, realising the potential and deleterious impact of idle sites, organised a competition for the site of The Leadenhall Building designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Thirteen young architectural practices were invited to come up with ideas for improving what was essentially a large hole in the ground so that it would make a positive, and temporary, contribution to life in this area of London.

However, since the competition was held, the commercial property market has improved rapidly, something that could not have been predicted at the end of 2009. Therefore at this stage British Land has judged it imprudent to create a situation whereby it would be unable to move forward with construction of the Leadenhall Building when appropriate.

Despite this, the range of ideas and designs to come out of the competition provide a useful contribution to the idea of temporary improvements to the urban fabric as a response to change in the city.

Location:
 NLA, The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, WC1E 7BT

Price:
 Free Entry

NLA and the Building Centre

Monday to Friday: 9.30 am - 6.00 pm
 Saturday: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
 
 We are closed on Sundays, Bank Holidays, Easter Saturday and for the Christmas period from 24th December to the first working weekday of January.

Location:
 NLA, The Building Centre, 26 Store Street, WC1E 7BT

Price:
 Free Entry

NLA and the Building Centre

Monday to Friday: 9.30 am - 6.00 pm
 Saturday: 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
 
 We are closed on Sundays, Bank Holidays, Easter Saturday and for the Christmas period from 24th December to the first working weekday of January.