Lloyd's Building London

Lloyd's Building, London

Jake Davies

One of the major financial centres in the world, London's financial district is the City of London, or, as it is more commonly called "The City".

It is also known as "The Square Mile" as it covers slightly over one square mile in area. It is the area where London was established about 2,000 years ago by the Romans.

Populated by banks and other companies specializing in insurance and other financial services, it is home to some impressive architecture meant to display the wealth, power, and authority these companies have.

The Lloyd's Building reflected in one of the neighbouring glass towers. — The Lloyd's Building reflected in one of the neighbouring glass towers

Architecture

New, towering structures, meant to out do their competitors, continue to be built in the area, but probably the most famous still is The Gherkin. This is the nickname given to the very distinctively shaped tower that opened in 2004.

Not far from the Gherkin is a somewhat older and shorter tower block that no longer gets much limelight but which is equally fascinating.

Looking more like some kind of industrial refinery than offices. — Looking more like some kind of industrial refinery than offices, the Lloyd's Building is an example of the architectural style known as Bowelism

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Opened in 1986 and designed by Richard Rogers, the Lloyd's Building is unmistakable. — Opened in 1986 and designed by Richard Rogers, the Lloyd's Building is unmistakable

The Lloyd's Building was completed in 1986 after a rather lengthy period of construction that lasted 34 years.

The most striking thing about its appearance is that the guts of the building, the staircases, elevators, and all the pipes and ducts that carry power, water, heating, ventilation, etc are on the exterior of the building rather than the more usual central core of a structure. What this provides is of course a more spacious, open interior.

There is an obvious similarity here with the famous Pompidou Centre in Paris, but whereas it has much of the external features painted in bright, primary colours, which give it a kind of "pop art" feel, everything on the Lloyd's building is left in its natural colors, which gives it a kind of "industrial" feel.

This style of architecture is called Bowelism, and the Lloyd's Building is sometimes called the Inside-Out Building.

It was designed by Richard Rogers, who was also one of the designers of the Pompidou Centre. In 2011 the building became Grade 1 listed, the youngest ever building to be so.

Insurance

Lloyd's of London is most probably the most famous name associated with insurance in the world, though in fact it is not actually a company, rather a market of members.

It began with marine insurance and was originally a coffee shop opened in the 17th century where sailors, merchants, and ship owners gathered for news and which became known as a place where marine insurance could be bought.

In 2011 the Lloyd's Building became the youngest building to gain Grade 1 listing. — In 2011 the Lloyd's Building became the youngest building to gain Grade 1 listing

Access - Getting There

1 Lime Street
London
EC3M 7AW

The nearest tube stations are Bank (Central, Northern and Waterloo & City Lines), Aldgate (Metropolitan and Circle Lines), Monument (Circle & District Lines), and Tower Hill (Circle & District Lines).

Fenchurch Street Station, Liverpool Street Station and Cannon Street Station are also all within easy walking distance.

By bus the nearest stops are Bishopsgate and St Katherine's Cree. The following London buses are convenient for the Lloyd's Building - the 25, 765 and 770.

Leadenhall Market is close by.

Skyscrapers in London

Other tall buildings in London which is becoming an increasingly vertical city include The Shard on the south bank of the River Thames, the Cheesegrater, the Electric Razor and the Walkie Talkie - all nicknames, of course.