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City of London Information Centre
St Paul's Churchyard,
London, EC4M 8BX

> City map

Architecture

From the majesty of St Paul’s Cathedral to the iconic modernity of the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe), City architecture is the where the past and future meet.

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Photo: 10 Gresham Street
Image: 10 Gresham Street Go

10 Gresham Street

Built: 2003
Architect: Foster + Partners

Norman Foster’s famous practice designed this building which is occupied by Standard Life and situated in a historic area close to the Guildhall and two Livery Halls.

Photo: 10 Queen Street Place
Image: 10 Queen Street Place Go

10 Queen Street Place

Built: 2006
Architect: John Robertson Architects

This 80s office building at the north end of Southwark Bridge is home to legal firm SJ Berwin. A series of atria allow light deep into the structure.

Photo: 20 Fenchurch Street / The Walkie Talkie
Image: 20 Fenchurch Street / The Walkie Talkie Go

20 Fenchurch Street / The Walkie Talkie

Built: expected 2011
Architect: Rafael Viñoly

This controversial new design, nicknamed the ‘walkie-talkie’ for its unusual top-heavy shape, has divided the architectural community.

Photo: 20 Gracechurch Street (54 Lombard Street)
Image: 20 Gracechurch Street (54 Lombard Street) Go

20 Gracechurch Street (54 Lombard . . .

Built: 1992
Architect: GMW architects
The former home of Barclays Bank, this prominent 30s-inspired building on the corner of two important City streets rises up in distinctive curves, with a tall central tower.

Photo: 20 Gresham Street
Image: 20 Gresham Street Go

20 Gresham Street

Built: 2008
Architect: Kohn Pedersen Fox
This new building stands in a prime City location opposite the Guildhall and has an impressive double-height lobby and imposing curved facade.

Photo: 30 St Mary Axe / The Gherkin
Image: 30 St Mary Axe / The Gherkin Go

30 St Mary Axe / The Gherkin

Built: 2004
Architect: Foster + Partners

The distinctive ‘gherkin’ paved the way for the recent boom of innovative modern architecture in the City and has become a landmark of the London skyline.

Photo: 88 Wood Street
Image: 88 Wood Street Go

88 Wood Street

Built: 1998
Architect: Richard Rogers Partnership
The second Richard Rogers building in the City of London following Lloyds of London (1986), it is notable for its bright yellow pipes and exterior lift shafts.

Photo: Bank of England
Image: Bank of England Go

Bank of England

Built: 1734
Architect: Sir John Soane (1788-1827)
Over the years, eight architects have developed the Bank into this imposing structure, which has come to represent the centre of the UK's financial system.

Photo: Barbican Complex
Image: Barbican Complex Go

Barbican Complex

Logo: City of London - This attraction or venue is owned by TheCity of London

Built: 1965 – 1976
Architect: Chamberlin Powell and Bon
Built following WWII, the Barbican is one of the most iconic examples of brutalist modern architecture in the country.

Photo: Bishopsgate Tower / The Helter Skelter
Image: Bishopsgate Tower / The Helter Skelter Go

Bishopsgate Tower / The Helter Skelter

Built: expected 2011
Architect: Kohn Pederson Fox Associates
An eye-catching new development which, when completed, will be the second tallest building in the UK, after the yet-to-be-built ‘shard of glass’.