When viewed at night from Oxford Circus, the church's spire and circular portico are beautifully embraced by the blue lighting of Broadcasting House and its 21st-century extension - the building in the middle of this photo. Might be worth a colour shot of the night lighting to contrast with this view. The reason Sir John Nash opted for the unusual round frontage to this church was so that it was omnidirectional – it presents a similar face when seen from the north, south and west at this awkward bend in Regent Street. Nash had been commissioned by the Prince Regent to design a royal processional route from Regent's Park to Carlton House which he achieved by stitching together existing roads, the two awkward points being this one and the turn north-west of Piccadilly Circus. (Nash resolved the latter with a beautiful colonnaded curve, now replaced by a beautiful Edwardian curve.) Sadly, as soon as Nash completed this "stucco sceptre", the Prince, on becoming King George IV, decided to move the royal household to his childhood playground, Buckingham House, now Palace, and Carlton House was knocked down, The Mall becoming the royal processional route instead.
Crossing the road at Langham Place. On the left is BBC Broadcasting House and on the right All Souls Church.
9 comments:
i like-black and white!
Should be another snowy one tomorrow,judging by the forecasts!
I like this picture, but in a dark way. It's not a "happy" picture, but definitely worth contemplating.
It's sort of creepy how there is hardly anyone else around. Very ominous feeling.
I love the street scenes and the black and white makes it look like a chilly day!
When viewed at night from Oxford Circus, the church's spire and circular portico are beautifully embraced by the blue lighting of Broadcasting House and its 21st-century extension - the building in the middle of this photo. Might be worth a colour shot of the night lighting to contrast with this view. The reason Sir John Nash opted for the unusual round frontage to this church was so that it was omnidirectional – it presents a similar face when seen from the north, south and west at this awkward bend in Regent Street. Nash had been commissioned by the Prince Regent to design a royal processional route from Regent's Park to Carlton House which he achieved by stitching together existing roads, the two awkward points being this one and the turn north-west of Piccadilly Circus. (Nash resolved the latter with a beautiful colonnaded curve, now replaced by a beautiful Edwardian curve.) Sadly, as soon as Nash completed this "stucco sceptre", the Prince, on becoming King George IV, decided to move the royal household to his childhood playground, Buckingham House, now Palace, and Carlton House was knocked down, The Mall becoming the royal processional route instead.
This looks really good in black and white!
No snow!
Must have been taken early in the morning, don't worry the snow is on it's way. I've sent it down from Scotland.
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