Buildings

Laura’s London: A Look Behind the Scenes of the New Royal Academy of Arts Renovations Opening This Weekend

May 16, 2018 By Laura Porter

The Royal Academy of Arts is hardly new. In fact, it's celebrating it's 250th anniversary this year. But to mark the occasion the RA has undergone an enormous transformation and expansion. And the new Royal Academy is opening on Saturday 19 May 2018. About The Royal Academy The RA was founded in 1768 by a group of 40 artists and architects who became the first Royal … [Read more...] about Laura’s London: A Look Behind the Scenes of the New Royal Academy of Arts Renovations Opening This Weekend

Westminster Abbey Gets a New Tower

Apr 17, 2018 By jonathan

Westminster Abbey is a living building. It's been constructed, altered and added to over its over 1,000 years of history. It is not a static building, stuck in time. And the big news is that Westminster Abbey has officially added a new tower to the building. The newly named Weston Tower, so named after the organization that paid for it, will provide access to the new museum … [Read more...] about Westminster Abbey Gets a New Tower

The London Fiver – Five Ancient Ruins in London to Visit That Haven’t Been Swept Away By Time

Apr 11, 2018 By John Rabon

London is an ancient city. Even before the Romans established their settlement of Londonium, people had lived in the area. However, the Romans were the first to erect permanent structures here, some of which have survived today as ruins, hiding amongst the buildings that succeeded them and today’s skyscrapers. Of course, not all of these buildings are Roman, and some of … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Ancient Ruins in London to Visit That Haven’t Been Swept Away By Time

The New Piccadilly Circus Billboard: A Review

Feb 7, 2018 By jonathan

In this article, I’m going to review a billboard. But not just any billboard, the most famous billboard in the world. Well, in London at least. I’m talking about, of course, the new electronic billboard that has replaced the previous iconic billboards at the heart of Piccadilly Circus. First some terminology - in Britain they don’t really use the word billboard. It’s a … [Read more...] about The New Piccadilly Circus Billboard: A Review

Great London Buildings – Banqueting House

Feb 1, 2018 By John Rabon

Once part of the Palace of Whitehall, today Banqueting House is all the remains of this once-great royal palace. Today it is a museum while the rest of Whitehall has been rebuilt as government offices. Banqueting House is important to London for several reasons, including its architectural notoriety and the kings and queens that once called it home. We’ll explore the history … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – Banqueting House

Great London Buildings – The Old BBC Television Centre

Jan 25, 2018 By John Rabon

Now a symbol of London’s ever-changing nature as new development takes over; Television Centre was once home to the UK’s most beloved dramas, comedies, and cultural programs. It was constructed specifically to be the BBC’s first dedicated television broadcasting studios and would oversee the news and such memorable shows as Blue Peter, Doctor Who, Top of the Pops, Monty … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – The Old BBC Television Centre

Great London Buildings – Heron Tower

Dec 6, 2017 By John Rabon

Bishopsgate certainly has its own contributions to London's skyline including the Gherkin and the Leadenhall Building. Rounding out the trio is 110 Bishopsgate, better known as Heron Tower (and also known as Salesforce Tower). Finished in 2010, the tower has gained a number of claims to fame including being the tallest building in the financial district and the third tallest … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – Heron Tower

Great London Buildings – Tower 42

Nov 2, 2017 By John Rabon

One of the jewels of post-war skyscrapers in London, Tower 42 (once known as NatWest Tower) remains the third highest building in the City of London and the eighth highest in the Greater London area. Interestingly enough, it was actually the very first skyscraper in the City of London. While taller buildings such as Centrepoint, Millbank Tower, and BT Tower were constructed … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – Tower 42

London Alert: The Iconic Lights in Piccadilly Circus Have Been Turned Back On!

Oct 27, 2017 By jonathan

We reported earlier this year that the iconic billboards in Piccadilly Circus were being switched off for refurbishment. Many Londonphiles were very disappointed to hear this as it meant that tons of tourist photos would be ruined by scaffolding and hoardings. This was the longest stretch of time the lights were turned off since The War. Well, fear not! The renovations are … [Read more...] about London Alert: The Iconic Lights in Piccadilly Circus Have Been Turned Back On!

Spooky London: Ten of the Allegedly Most Haunted Places in London

Oct 5, 2017 By John Rabon

This month we’ve covered haunted castles and haunted places in the United Kingdom, but with the exception of the Tower of London, we’ve deliberately left out the nation’s largest city. As you might figure from the Tower of London’s history, London itself has plenty of haunted places from pubs to palaces. The ghosts include famous figures, malicious poltergeists, and harmless … [Read more...] about Spooky London: Ten of the Allegedly Most Haunted Places in London

Great London Buildings – 20 Fenchurch Street – Home of the Public Sky Garden

Sep 21, 2017 By John Rabon

20 Fenchurch Street is one of London’s office buildings that certainly makes a statement. Whether you appreciate its design or decry it as yet another skyscraper built without concern for the city’s skyline, it remains a very visually striking place. Its unique curves have earned it the nickname “Walkie Talkie” from fans and critics alike. In addition to its businesses, 20 … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – 20 Fenchurch Street – Home of the Public Sky Garden

Great London Buildings – BBC Broadcasting House

Aug 30, 2017 By John Rabon

Headquarters of the BBC, Broadcasting House represents the totality of the BBC’s media offerings across radio and television. Originally a building for radio programmes, the expansion in the early 2000s transformed the building into the new centre of the BBC’s activities. The BBC moved its news divisions out of Television Centre and into the new wings, creating the largest … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – BBC Broadcasting House

Great London Buildings – One Canada Square in Canary Wharf

Aug 22, 2017 By John Rabon

Located on the site of the former West India Docks, One Canada Square is not only a skyscraper that puts a stamp on the London skyline; it’s a symbol of economic revitalisation. For over a hundred years, the West India Docks were amongst the busiest ports in the city, but by the 1960s, business started to dwindle until the port finally closed in 1980. The … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – One Canada Square in Canary Wharf

The London Fiver – Five Interesting Future Building Developments in London That Will Change It

Aug 17, 2017 By John Rabon

Cities are always growing, always changing. While we work to preserve the history of graded structures, we also need new developments to meet the city’s needs for transport, business, housing, and more. Lots of proposals never come off the drawing board, but those that do begin construction promise to change the city’s fate. There are presently a wide array of proposed and … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Interesting Future Building Developments in London That Will Change It

Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Shard – The Tallest Building in the UK

Jun 15, 2017 By John Rabon

Threading the skies over London like a great glass needle, the Shard is one of the city’s newest and most striking skyscrapers. Completed in 2013, it has 95 floors and stands at 1,106 feet, making it also the tallest structure in the city and the whole of the United Kingdom. In the short time that it has been a part of London, the Shard has made more of an impression than … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about the Shard – The Tallest Building in the UK

The London Fiver – Five of London’s Oldest Hotels

May 25, 2017 By John Rabon

It used to be that travelers’ only accommodations were the pubs and inns located all over the city. As the coaching inns grew in their grandeur and desire to cater to wealthy clients, they transformed into the first hotels, and then into luxury hotels during the later Victorian period. Many of the earliest hotels were built or managed by the railway companies, but many of … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of London’s Oldest Hotels

London Trip Planning: Ten of the Best Views of London

Apr 13, 2017 By John Rabon

A great view can be absolutely breathtaking. Whether looking out over the distance on the ground or observing everything below when you’re high in the sky, a different look at a place can help give you a new perspective on a place. Every city has some pretty fantastic spots from which to view it, and London certainly possesses some very unique viewing points. On land, water, … [Read more...] about London Trip Planning: Ten of the Best Views of London

Great Londoners – Sir Giles Gilbert Scott – Designer of the Red Phone Box

Mar 30, 2017 By John Rabon

Giles Gilbert Scott may not be the first person you think of when it comes to architecture in London, but he has certainly made his mark on the city. In fact, most people might consider his greatest design to be that of Liverpool Cathedral, but they walk past his most iconic creation every day. He was born in 1880 in Hammersmith, and one can argue that architecture was in his … [Read more...] about Great Londoners – Sir Giles Gilbert Scott – Designer of the Red Phone Box

Not Falling Down: Ten of London’s Beautiful Bridges and Their Fascinating Histories

Mar 6, 2017 By John Rabon

Bridges don’t just connect places, but they connect people. Since the earliest days of civilisation, we’ve used them to access new areas, trade with the people there, and travel further than we once thought imaginable. With a city such as London situated on the River Thames, bridges are a necessity, and thousands of people cross them every day on foot, by bicycle, or by car. … [Read more...] about Not Falling Down: Ten of London’s Beautiful Bridges and Their Fascinating Histories

Great London Buildings – The Tate Modern

Mar 1, 2017 By John Rabon

There's an old line from Monty Python's Flying Circus that goes, "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like." Modern art may certainly seem strange to a lot of people, due to the fact that it can include just about anything, doesn't necessarily depict traditional subjects, and can utilise some unusual materials in its creation. However, it is art nonetheless, and … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – The Tate Modern

London Trip Planning: London 10 Newest Museums and Attractions for 2017

Feb 7, 2017 By jonathan

London is a city that is forever changing. That means that you’ll almost always find something new to do in London no matter how many times you’ve been there. The last few years have seen some really cool and innovative new attractions open in London; here are a few you should plan for your next trip over. View from the Shard The Shard is now Western Europe’s tallest … [Read more...] about London Trip Planning: London 10 Newest Museums and Attractions for 2017

Advert Lights in Piccadilly Circus Shut Off Until Autumn – First Time in Many Years

Jan 16, 2017 By jonathan

If you pass through Piccadilly Circus after today, you will be presented with an unusual sight. The adverts that have adorned a building in the circus have been switched off. No, it's not a sudden change of heart that advertising is terrible. It's part of a major renovation of the sign. From the BBC: The billboard, which has displayed electrical advertisements for … [Read more...] about Advert Lights in Piccadilly Circus Shut Off Until Autumn – First Time in Many Years

Great London Buildings – Somerset House

Dec 15, 2016 By John Rabon

One of the stateliest homes in London, Somerset House at one point was a Tudor palace and today sees use as a venue for the arts and major event location for the city. Its history began in 1547 when Edward Seymour received a land grant from his brother-in-law, King Henry VIII. Following Henry’s death, Edward became Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector of the Realm for the … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – Somerset House

Great London Places – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Nov 1, 2016 By John Rabon

Oftentimes, the Olympic Games come under fire for building these large sports complexes but having no real plan for them after the games are over. For Greece, its venues from the 2004 games in Athens have been a symbol of economic depression as stadiums, swimming facilities, and athletes’ dormitories go vacant and unused. On the opposite end of the spectrum, cities such as … [Read more...] about Great London Places – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Great London Buildings – Chiswick House

Oct 6, 2016 By John Rabon

One of the last Neo-Palladian manor homes left in London, it is named for the area of the city in which it can be found. The original Chiswick House was a Jacobean home built in approximately 1610 and was the property of the Wardour family. It was then sold to Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset, and later to Carles Boyle, 3rd Viscount Dungarvan. After a fire in 1725, Richard … [Read more...] about Great London Buildings – Chiswick House

« Previous Page