London's most unusual
architectural landmarks
London is
the capital of the UK and its biggest city by a mile. So, it’s no surprise that
millions of tourists descend upon it every year. One of the main attractions is
the plethora of architecture.
Everywhere
you turn, you’ll be presented with examples of fantastic British architecture.
Some is quite traditional, others a bit more out there. Some you’ll love and
some you’ll hate.
If you
plan on seeing the sights for yourself, here are some of London’s most unusual
architectural landmarks.
Trellick Tower
This
31-storey block of flats is hardly the first piece of architecture to come to
mind when thinking of London architecture. However, the brutal design by Erno
Goldfinger has become something of a local landmark.
The
high-rise used to have a reputation for crime, but since the 1980s when tenants
were able to buy their flats, it’s become a much more desirable place to live.
In fact, one of the apartments sold for close to half a million pounds.
It is now
such a part of popular culture that it has featured in several television shows
and music videos, including those by Blur and The Verve.
Battersea Power
Station
It would be hard to do a list of London’s best architecture without
including the upside-down table design of Battersea Power Station.
Despite not having been used for more than three decades, the
infamous chimneys are still standing. However, the art-deco building is set for
a £100m revamp, which will involve demolishing the originals and rebuilding
them from scratch.
The
site is set to be redeveloped into homes, offices, shops and a park, but the
team behind the restoration are using the original architectural plans to
ensure it retains its character.
Royal Albert Hall
Built
in the late 1800s, the Royal Albert Hall was once described as a cross between
the Coliseum and a Yorkshire Pie. However, it’s now considered one of the most
notable buildings in London.
With 6
million red bricks and 80,000 blocks of terracotta, it’s a real tribute to
Victorian architecture, complete with Victorian
front doors.
The
Hall’s auditorium measures a huge 185 feet wide and 219 feet long – the glass
dome and girders that cover the Hall, was once the world’s biggest structure of
its kind.
11 comments:
Seen the Albert hal a few times but never been in as with Battersea powerstation, the tower I have never heard of.
I've seen Trellick Tower many times but never knew its name. Thanks.
Trellick Tower is disgusting! Well it was when used by the council population in 1972! Now it's full of trendies.
So many good building, the power stations are interesting.
A fascinating place and quite beautiful, architecturally!
Wonderful!
One of those iconic London buildings - though I have never been inside.
You've listed some great options here. I was thinking of taking the Royal Albert Hall tour while I'm there. The last time I was in London we went to a concert there. I've only seen photos of Trellick Tower. I'll have to make a point of seeing that too. Florin Court is on my list too.
Ah, so that's the Royal Albert. I've seen concert footage from within, but never the exterior. I rather like it.
I went to see 'Satchmo' (Louis Armstrong)at the Albert Hall - long, long time ago!
That is quite an ornate structure, isn't it!
there are some pretty amazing buildings in London, the thing is there are actually many that are not famous at all, I think that London has been lessed with so many architects it has an amazing history for this as well
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