Take a walk through the historic and financial heart of London, where the oldest and newest buildings stand side by side.
The City of London is a place of ongoing regeneration. Since the introduction of Richard Rogers’ industrial Lloyd’s Building in 1984, there has been a sea change of architecture within the City, breaking traditions of Portland Stone facades and expanding to include some of the tallest and most high-profile skyscrapers in the country, alongside a host of creative public realm projects and cultural buildings.
Within a tiny perimeter, and dictated by legal sightline constraints, glass tower offices at 52-54 Lime Street (KPF), 100 Bishopsgate (Allies and Morrison/Woods Baggot) and 22 Bishopsgate (PLP) have set the bar to new heights, to be challenged by oncoming 40 Leadenhall Street (Make Architects), 1 Undershaft (Eric Parry), 100 Leadenhall Street (SOM) and 6-8 Bishopsgate (Wilkinson Eyre) and 55 Bishopsgate (AFK) within the next few years.
In contrast, the nearby ‘groundscraper’ Fen Court (Eric Parry), draws attentions with its ‘coronet’ top and a spacious public viewing garden, and new lower-height developments like Angel Court (Fletcher Priest Architects) and Rothschild Bank(OMA) enhance the Bank Junction area. While the RIBA prize-winning Bloomberg Square (Foster + Partners) is noted for its co-joined bronze and sandstone offices. Join this unique discovery through the city!
This walk is led by an experienced Blue Badge Guide
Start: The London Centre, 3 Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH
End: Liverpool Street Station
Duration: 2 hours approx