It has been said that the great cities are those you can walk in and find history around every corner. This old adage most certainly applies to the great cities of Europe and London in particular. With a wonderful blending of old and new architecture, London continues to develop as a modern city with a more than a touch of old world charm and historical significance. With over three dozen high rise buildings currently under construction or in the design stage, the skyline of London seems to keep growing and evolving.
In addition to the city’s striking skyline, London is filled with historic buildings, with many dating back to the long period of reconstruction that followed the Great Fire in 1666.
One Canada Square
The tallest building along the London skyline, One Canada Square stands over 770 feet over the Canary Wharf district of London. The 50 story skyscraper is the tallest building in Great Britain and quickly becoming a landmark, providing both office and commercial space.
The Crystal Palace Tower
Once the tallest free standing structure in all of Great Britain, the Crystal Palace is indeed unique. The tower was built in 1956 as a platform for over the air transmissions of radio and television signals. Today, the tower handles analog and digital transmissions, standing an impressive 719 feet into the London skyline. The Crystal Tower stood as the tallest structure in Great Britain from 1956 until 1991 when the honor went to the One Canada Square Building.
Saint Paul’s Cathedral
This historic church and its signature dome stood as the tallest building in all of London for over 220 years. Since it completed and consecrated in 1710, this venerable cathedral has played an important in both the history of the Anglican Church and of London. The original Saint Paul’s Cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London after standing for over 350 years. Few structures survived the widespread destruction of the fire that swept through the city in 1666.
The newer cathedral was built along the River Thames and stands over 350 feet tall. The church, the two matching towers and massive dome reflect a classic example of Renaissance design. The cathedral serves as the seat of the Bishop of London and is the final resting place of countless figures of British notables, including Sir Winston Churchill and the Duke of Wellington.
8 Canada Square
Another prominent feature of the Canary Wharf district, 8 Canada Square is the second tallest building in London. Though not as tall as the Crystal Palace Tower, 8 Canada Square earns its rank since the tower is technically not a habitable building. The building provides over 1 million square feet of office and commercial space contained on 42 floors. Completed in 2001, 8 Canada Square and its glass exterior, strikes a prominent pose along the London skyline and the river wharf district.
30 Saint Mary Axe
Though not the tallest high rise building in London, the building at 30 Saint Mary Axe is, without question one of the most unusual buildings in the world. Nicknamed the Gherkin, the building is said to resemble a giant, 590 foot tall rocket. Providing office and commercial space, this building stands out along the skyline of the London financial district.
The Great Fire
For three hellish days in the Fall of 1666, a great fire swept through London destroying everything in its path. From just outside Westminster to the Tower of London, the fire created a firestorm that left some eighty thousand people homeless. The death toll from this catastrophe has never been fully explored since it is thought that many of the victims were incinerated during the fire. The poor of London are thought to have suffered disproportionately from the effects of the blaze since many dwellings and shop that burned along the River Thames were built of wood. The original Saint Paul’s Cathedral, a landmark of the Anglican Church was destroyed after standing for over 350 years.
