So, we’ve reached our half century.

Fifty issues of New London Quarterly, where we have aimed to disseminate some of the best and most original thought leadership on the capital city, along with profiles of those thought leaders, and the buildings and plans they forged to make the city better a better place.

How could we mark such a milestone? Effectively, with a 12-page love letter to the city, that’s how. In a special feature, we asked the great and good from across the industries that make up the built environment and beyond a simple question: ‘What is the best thing about London?’ Their fascinating and varied answers feature in this issue, along with pictures and sketches, starting on page 8.

One of the men who has undoubtedly changed London across the decade-and-a-half NLA has been in operation is Sir George Iacobescu, the creator of Canary Wharf. Honoured with the title of ‘New Londoner of the Year’ to go along with his knighthood, he reflects on the impact of the estate he runs on shifting London eastward, the engineering marvel that underpins the whole operation, and where it is all heading next in an interview this time.

Another profile, with Faaiza Lalji of Precis, touches on the impact that the knowledge quarter has had on the capital, and how her firm’s Belgrave House project in King’s Cross, designed by AHMM, promises to add more.

We take an in-depth look at two very different NLA award-winning schemes — Ibstock Place School by Maccreanor Lavington and Islington Square by CZWG. And there is much more besides, including a paean to drawing from Ken ‘the pen’ Shuttleworth and to Fitzrovia from Vectos’s Mike Axon, commentary from Peter Murray on the Highway Code and London’s contribution to Dubai’s Expo, a coffee break with Primera’s BID supremo Ruth Duston, as well as briefing notes on all the latest thinking from NLA events.

Ultimately, we’re happy and honoured to have made it to our half century. And hope you’ll join us for the next 50.

Enjoy the issue!
David Taylor, Editor

50 of the best 8
What’s the best thing about London? Read all 50 responses

New Londoner of the Year 24
David Taylor meets Sir George Iacobescu to get the lowdown on Canary Wharf — past, present and future

Interview 44
David Taylor meets Faaiza Lalji, director of planning and development at
Precis Advisory

Obituary 54
Michael Finbar McKeogh — known to most as Barry, RIP. By
Robert Gordon Clark

Building review 68 | 80
Maccreanor Lavington’s Ibstock Place School and CZWG’s Islington Square in focus

Need to know 4
The quarter — our summary of all the key news events this term

Murray Mint 22
Peter Murray looks at the origins of the new Highway Code and influence of Francis Golding

Opinion 34
Ken ‘the pen’ Shuttleworth argues for the power of the sketch

Columnist 52
Yolande Barnes looks at Levelling Up and its impact on the capital

Coffee break 90
Ruth Duston of Primera looks at London’s BID scene and more

Briefing notes 58
Our regular round-up of conferences and events at NLA

My London 136
Vectos’ Mike Axon pays homage to Fitzrovia, where his career in transport began

Portfolio 6
All 15 of the shortlisted schemes in this year’s Don’t Move, Improve! competition

Covid conversations 38
Peter Murray reports on Dubai Expo 2020, where London architects flew the flag for the Brits

From the team 42
Amy Chadwick Till on NLA’s successful bid to bring the Ecocity World
Summit to London

Best of the web 50
Helen Misselbrook of shedkm shares lessons for London from U+I’s Circus Street project in Brighton

Market essay 94
Lloyd Davies and Oliver Al-Rehani of Gerald Eve set the offices scene