#leadenhall building

[sea-of-concrete]

📸 The Shard and the City of London 30 minutes before sunrise

[actaecon]

London. Leadenhall Building

[wolfephoto]

Lime Street vertical by John Wolfe Via Flickr: City of London, UK - 2024

[highlandwhackamole]

Where Crowley Parks: Definitely in London, definitely not a Real Place

Crowley parks in the same place several times in season 2. It's so obviously the same place each time that I couldn't help but be drawn to nitpicking those scenes. Here's one just before the opening credits in episode 2:

What struck me about this location is the buildings in the background. They are iconic buildings that have colloquial nicknames. They are shapes that instantly tell you that the thing you're looking at is in London. Let's look a bit closer at the buildings using a pile of frames taken from the series:

From right to left, I'm pretty sure we have the Gherkin, the Shard, the Walkie-Talkie and the Scalpel.

To the left of the Scalpel are some buildings that are less distinct, but I think they may be a trio of buildings at Bishopsgate & Leadenhall. I won't worry too much about those, though, because I don't think we need them. (If you know what they are for sure, though, please do share!)

The Gherkin and the Walkie-Talkie are unmistakable. I'm 95% sure that's the Scalpel; here's a picture of it under construction from the same angle:

I wasn't positive about the Shard until I saw the building lit up during a night scene, just before Crowley gets yoinked to hell for a chat with Beelzebub:

Ah, yeah. In the words of the Bilfather... seems legit to me! Here's the actual real Shard at night:

So, yes, very nice buildings. So London. Much skyscraper.

But. Why have them in the background at all?

If they were there naturally (assuming, you know, that they made a special trip to London to shoot these I guess), one could edit them out, or replace them with more nondescript building-shapes, or even just not include them in the frame -- and then the background would just fade into... itself. It would just be the anonymous place that Crowley parks, no need to call attention to the exact spot.

If they were added (spoiler: they were), that means the intent is to communicate very clearly that this spot is in London, fairly near the city center.

Okay, Good-Omens-creator-folks. You're pointing out to me that this is very particularly and specifically in London. Why are you doing that? Am I supposed to know where he's parked? I don't know, at least not off the top of my head. Maybe I can find out.

Let's look at a map!

The circles shown here are, from top to bottom: the Gherkin, the Scalpel, the Walkie-Talkie and the Shard. The question mark is the location of the buildings that I think are the same as those appearing to the left of the Scalpel in the show, just for bonus information.

Now I just need to find roughly where one would have to be in order to make the buildings appear in their left-to-right order of Orange (Scalpel), Green (Walkie-Talkie), Blue (Shard) and then Purple (Gherkin).

... hm.

There is no such place. Those buildings can't appear in that order, regardless of where you are in the city. We can even double check, thanks to the Walkie-Talkie, which has very obviously distinct sides.

The Walkie Talkie's Wikipedia article, in fact, features an image of the building from an angle that looks like a very near or maybe even exact match to the viewing angle in the show. The article mentions that the photo was taken from the top of City Hall. Here's a Google Street View from roughly the same angle. You can also see the Gherkin!

What isn't and can't be in between them, though, is the Shard. It's on the same side of the river as the viewer in that image. It's hidden from view, behind the buildings to the left.

What if the Blue building in the show isn't the Shard? I could be wrong. Even so, this view doesn't exist in the real world. It seems pretty impossible from the map above, but I like to make sure, even if it means triple-checking.

For the belt and braces approach, peep this Google Earth view which is more or less from the same angle as the previous street view, just much higher up.

The scalpel is right between the Gherkin and the Walkie-Talkie. There's nowhere you could stand and view that skyline such that the Scalpel appears to the left of the Walkie-Talkie, and the Gherkin to the right.

What does it mean? I think it means that the creators wanted to insert a strong, automatic shorthand for London. Why do that, when we know Crowley is pretty close to Soho already? I have some thoughts, but I'm going to make another post about that.

[ofcharacter]

The Leadenhall Building - RSHP

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Case Study: Leadenhall Building Bolt Failure

Not all materials failures are catastrophic, and one such real-world scenario was the failure of bolts in the Leadenhall Building in London (also known as the Cheesegrater). In November of 2014, two bolts of 3,000 (or 'megabolts', due to their size) failed, debris from one of the two failures falling 15 stories. A third bolt failed a few months later and the ultimate cause of these failures was determined to be hydrogen embrittlement. While there were no injuries due to the failures, and no risk of structural failure, concerns arose that that the other 2997 bolts in the structure might also be at risk of failure. The remaining bolts had to be assessed and some replaced, a costly and time-consuming process.

Sources/Further Reading: (Image source - 2019 news article) (2015 news article) (Fastener and Fixing)

[charminglygrouped]

The East India Company was launched in England in 1599 by a group of London merchants, with a capital of £30,000. On the last day of 1600, Queen Elizabeth I granted the Company a charter which gave them the monopoly of trade with India and the East. [...]

In 1608, the first Company ship called at Surat on the west coast, and in 1612 the Mughal emperor, Jehangir, granted the Company the vital ‘firman’ (mandate), allowing it the privilege of Indian trade. The seventeenth century saw a gradual expansion of factories round the Indian coast [...]; and so the pattern of trade with India was built up.

The East India Company operated from its headquarters in London. An imposing new building was erected in Leadenhall Street in 1726 as the permanent headquarters. [...] For the purpose of administration, the Company divided India into three Presi­dencies—Madras, Bombay and Bengal, independent of each other and answerable only to the Court of Directors in London. In each of the Presidencies, a president (also known as the governor), supported by a council of senior merchants, exercised control. Below these came a strictly defined hierarchy of the Company’s servants: senior merchants, junior merchants, factors and writers, all recruited in England. Familiar British institutions, like the law courts, civic corporations, churches and theatres, were transplanted to the presidencies. And soon a growing band of attorneys, constables, churchwardens and artists went out to India to join the merchants and clerks. Their houses were separated from the ‘Black Town’, where the ‘native’ employees of the Company and the rest of the Indian population lived. As the East India Company was granted more trading concessions by the patronage of the Mughal emperors, so the Company’s commercial enterprises expanded, and more recruits went out from Britain to swell the size of the British population living in India. After 1660, the Company recruited British soldiers and ‘native sepoys’ to protect its commercial concerns in India.

Since the overriding interest of the Company was trade and the profit motive, it did little to interfere with traditional Indian society or engage in military adventures—all of which cost money. It concerned itself only with providing the framework of stability required for trade to flourish. [...] But all this was to change in the second half of the eighteenth century.

[...] Taking advantage of the friction which had developed between the Company and Bengal, [Robert] Clive marched in, defeated the ruler of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daula, in 1757, and made the East India Company ruler of Bengal in all but name. In 1765, the Mughal emperor recognized the Company as his diwan (minister), granting it the authority to collect taxes. Bengal became virtually a Company province and so began the plunder of Bengal by the ‘nabobs’ who amassed vast fortunes which they returned to spend in England.

Robert Clive’s conquest of Bengal heralded a change: not only had the East India Company become effectively ruler of Bengal, but it had laid the foundation of the British Indian Empire. Although trade was still the Company’s main objective, the conquest of Bengal began a new phase in the administration of its ‘provinces’. By the Regulating Act of 1773 (the first time that the British parliament had taken action to direct the affairs of the Company in India), Warren Hastings became Governor General, with authority to supervise the presidencies of Bombay and Madras. Hitherto these provinces had been autonomous, answerable only to the Court of Directors in London. Hastings thus became not only governor of Bengal, but also Governor General of all the Company’s commercial provinces in India.

The administrative change that the Act implied was slow to come, however. This was partly because of Warren Hastings. He was a great admirer of Indian civilization, its artistic and cultural heritage. He and other ‘Orientalists’ studied Indian literature, languages, art and religion. Hastings set up the Asiatic Society in Bengal and a college of Arabic and Persian studies. Hastings also believed that the East India Company should govern India through the agency of Indians, and on Indian principles. He therefore confined himselfto cleaning up the excesses of the nabobs, but otherwise left the details of Indian administration without much change.

But change did come. The India Act of 1784 set up a dual system of government. A tier of supervisory control was set up above the Court of Directors of the Company in London. [...] More important, Indian administration was Europeanized; the top and middle rungs of power were now reserved for Europeans only, Indians being relegated to the bottom levels of public service. The style of administration changed as well. Cornwallis, who succeeded Warren Hastings as Governor General, believed that England ruled India for India’s ‘own good’. Unlike Hastings, he did not consider there was anything to admire in the ancient Indian civilization. And so he proceeded to govern India on European principles and values.

— Rozina Visram, Ayahs, Lascars and Princes: Indians in Britain, 1700-1947 (London: 1986), pp. 2-4.

[yonialter]

Fleet Street. A new art print in 3 sizes. The Daily Telegraph Building in the foreground. The Church of St Martin Ludgate, The Leadenhall Building, 22 Bishopsgate and St. Paul's Cathedral in the foreground.  https://shop.yoniishappy.com/products/fleet-strret

[edupunkn00b]

Decoherence, Ch. 11: Someone Comes to Town, Someone Stays in Town

Creative Commons 1.0 Public Domain

Prev - Someone Comes to Town - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ] - Playlist

“All secrets become deep. All secrets become dark. That's in the nature of secrets.” - Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town by Cory Doctorow

WC: 1572 - Rated: T - CW: swearing -

2027, April 29, London, England

The sunlight streaming in from the window glowed through Remus’ swollen eyelids. He blinked then winced at the sandpapery drag over sore eyes. His pillowcase was cold and wet and his whole face throbbed like he’d been crying. Can you cry in your sleep?

He closed his eyes again and reached across the bed to turn off the alarm, then let his arm fall over the empty expanse. Why the fuck did he have such a big bed, anyway? It’s not like there was ever anyone here but him. Who had time for that? He should probably sell it, free up some space.

But he loved these soft blue sheets and sometimes, in that half-aware daze as he drifted off, his bed felt a little less empty, the pillow clutched to his chest almost… hugging him back. Soft hair like silk falling between his fingers, love and warmth right there in his grasp. Bright blue eyes looking back at him and a crooked little cupid’s bow smiling, whispering, “I love you, Mue—”

The alarm blared again. Thankfully, some scrap of sense in him had driven him to hit snooze instead of turning it off completely. He smacked the off button and heaved himself out of bed. The moment his feet touched the cold floor, everything hit him with a flash. 

The dreams!

Remus turned on the spot, scanning the room for something to write with. Where the fuck was he? Electric lights, a window that opened. He pressed his face to the window glass and caught the tiniest edge of a yellow and blue Aldi’s sign about a kilometer down the street. London.

A Sharpie lay abandoned on the floor and he picked it up and started writing on his bare arm. Last night had been… that Victorian kinda thing… big fireplace, heavy curtains on the window, feather-stuffed blanket on the bed. Big old house with Ro and Janus and Patton and Virgil. He’d turned five a couple weeks ago but he still had the little paper balloon he’d made him.

Okay, and the night before that had been. Nah. The fucking White House?

Shaking his head, Remus scrawled a question mark next to that one. That sounded like a dream-dream, not a memory, but still he wrote the name Gladys. Like in the old game? And before that was the motorbike. He could feel the buzz of the electric engine vibrating through his thighs, the clink of their helmets as he’d clung to Lo’s waist, leaning with him on the curves. Like a dance.

No. No, the last time he’d been there, he’d been alone. He’d woken up to the automatic lights, taken a shower and driven alone to CERN. But Lo had been here with him before. He remembered.

Nodding and muttering to himself, he sat on the edge of the bed as he wrote and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Hair wild, naked, with frantic markings between his tattoos over his arm and both legs. The shadows under his eyes looked painted on. He looked like a circus freak show.

He fucking was a circus freak show. Was he losing it? How do you know when your impossible thoughts are just… thoughts?

The marker stilled in his hand and he let his eyes close. “Find me, Meus… Find me.”

Remus opened his eyes and copied down the words that ran so clearly through his mind. “I’ll find you, Lo,” he promised aloud, then showered, careful not to scrub at the permanent marker on his skin. He’d copy it out again. And again. And again. Until he found him.

~

The lab was close to home and last night’s downpour had petered out to a drizzle, so Remus walked the half kilometer to the imposing grey tower. Fucking ‘Cheese Grater.’ They just needed a ‘Chips’ building and they’d complete the set of food-themed skyscrapers. The Leadenhall building wasn’t the Tower of London or even the Shard, but it had stood long enough to get its own nickname. And it had been long enough since it had been erected that most people weren’t really sure how far down the sub levels went.

People who didn’t work in the quantum computing lab, at least.

Remus keyed his way onto an elevator going down and pressed G2. He was early and the only one heading in at this hour. 

“It’ll be worth it, Lo,” I say, laughing as the man with the crooked cupid’s bow groans and chugs his third cup of tea. 

Was Lo his name? No… His real name was Logan. Like the superhero. 

The elevator dings at G-2. We get off and walk down the hall to another elevator and thumb the biometric scanner to call it. “We can get a test run in before anyone else even logs time on the multi-core.”

“I’ll agree with you in about an hour, Meus,” he mutters and, when we’re alone in the second elevator, hooks my arm to tug me closer. He leans on my shoulder, melting against me. It feels right. 

I turn my head, and press kisses into his soft hair, chuckling at the way it tickles my cheek and warms my lips.

The doors opened with an empty clang and Remus stepped out of the elevator alone and walked down the hall to prep for the clean room. If he hurried, he might even get in two test runs of the new qubit array before anyone else showed up.

~

It was after seven by the time Remus finally shut down his workstation and peeled off his cleansuit. He stood there for a good ten minutes in that little alcove, face pressed against the bonnet, breathing in the weirdly comforting scent of Tyvek and compressed air propellant. It’s what Lo’s hair smelled like in some of his memories. Remus was pretty sure, at least. 

He was losing it. 

Scoffing, he shoved the bonnet and his bunny suit into a recycler and thumbed his way out and into the hall.

Outside of the dry, cold, recycled air of the clean room, Remus sucked in a deep breath and made his way toward the first set of elevators. His stomach grumbled. Fuck, he’d forgotten to eat lunch again. 

Once upstairs, he paused just outside the lobby doors. The rain had picked up while he’d been working, the morning’s soft drizzle blooming into a full-on thunderstorm. He could always duck into the Aldi’s between the lab and home. There hadn’t been much in the fridge at home anyway, and with any luck, maybe he could wait out a bit of the storm while he was shopping.

Hair dripping, Remus lingered in the produce section. He spent just long enough staring at the loganberries to make the manager nervous and call for a security sweep. “We all know what code B in aisle 9 is, right, Lo?” he muttered. A woman picking out strawberries watched him from the corner of her eye until he retreated to the freezer section in search of something he could toss in the microwave and call it a fucking night.

Woo-ee, party animal right here. He might even make it to bed before nine-thirty.

When he got to the checkstands, he eyed the line that snaked out of the lane and halfway down the soup aisle and shook his head. The buggy little machines they laid out to convince their customers to work for free checking out their own groceries sat forlornly beeping and flashing to no-one. U-scan it was. 

He fell into a pattern scanning and bagging his groceries, the monotonous chant of the computers around him lulling him into his own sort of trance. The voices in the supermarket layered and fizzled together until the voices in his memory took over. 

“Gotta say ‘yes’ to something for the little guy.”

“As though you let that child lack for anything, ‘Uncka Re,’” Lo murmurs near my ear as he slips his arm through mine.

While the receipt slowly printed, Remus shoved his wallet in his pocket and grabbed the bags with his other hand. Turning, he tucked the receipt into the bag and looked up.

Right into Lo’s eyes.

Remus stared at the raven-haired man in front of him. “Lo?” Eyes the color of the sky looked right into him. “Is that really you?”

Lo’s face bloomed, that crooked little cupid’s bow spreading into a grin. “Meus!” he cried and threw himself into Remus’ arms. “You’re you,” he whispered, face pressed against his chest. “You—you’re actually you, aren’t you?”

Remus was still holding the groceries but he could only tighten his arms around Lo’s back, afraid to move enough to set them down. He didn’t want to let go, he couldn’t let go. They held each other until someone shuffled past them, muttering under their breath as they passed. “Lo?” He pulled away just enough to look into his eyes. “Lo, what’s happening?”

“Meus…” He reached up to cup Remus’ cheek. Another customer pushed their cart past them. “Let’s go somewhere we can talk.” 

Nodding, Remus let go but then moved close again and laced their fingers together. He bent and picked up Lo's bag where he’d dropped it. “I… we?” He shook his head. Would Lo’s clothes still be there in the wardrobe when they arrived? Or had that all been in his head? A half-woken dream? Was any of this real?

“The flat’s close by.”

[endiefriendie]

wip of a building in leadenhall market in london. done in acrylic paints!!!!!

[altamentesensibile]

L'INSTALLAZIONE "EVANESCENT" ARRIVA A LONDRA

Sembrano enormi bolle di sapone gli elementi che compongono l'installazione realizzata da Atelier Sisu, visibile a Londra fino al 10 febbraio. Dal titolo Evanescent, l'opera è visibile presso il Leadenhall Building della city, dopo che aver fatto il giro del mondo. Le enormi bolle iridescenti sono state infatti già avvistate in diverse parti del globo, da Madrid a Singapore, da Shenzen a Brisbane.

https://www.ateliersisu.com/

...per te Mas amico Mio 🎈🎈🎈

[artlimited]

ART LIMITED features Denis Olivier with the art work "The Leadenhall Aviva Buildings". Visit the artist's profile https://www.artlimited.net/denisolivier Check also the artist's @denis.olivier.pg account. Published Thursday 1st, June 2023 at 18:35:43. Art Limited is an artists' community since 2005. For a chance to be featured follow our rules in the profile description of our Instagram account. Featured artists are welcome to respond to any comments posted for their art works. Thank you to our curators for their selections. #filmphotography #city #urban #blackandwhitephotography #construction #square #contemplation #building #heylomography #blackandwhite #photography #analogphotography #lomography #streetphotographers #holga #streetphotography #fineart #london #photographie #holgacamera #street #bwsquare #blackandwhitephoto #edifice #mediumformat @londonart #film #glass #streetart #blackwhite #mystery https://www.artlimited.net/denisolivier/art/photography-the-leadenhall-aviva-buildings-medium-format-film-construction-edifice-building/en/11823049

[seodigitalteam]

https://www.insertbiz.com/listing/the-leadenhall-building-122-leadenhall-st-lime-street-passpsychometric/

Perform well in Numerical Reasoning Testswith PassPsychometric. You can pay someone to sit Numerical Reasoning Tests thanks to the elite team at PassPsychometric. You can get started by sending an email on support@passpsychometric.com. For more information, you can visit our website https://passpsychometric.com/numerical-reasoning-tests/ or call us at +44 7534006552

[blueorchidhotels]

If you're dreaming of spending Christmas in London, look no further than Tower Suites, The Wellington, and Tower Residence by Blue Orchid. These luxurious hotels are located in the heart of Central London, offering unparalleled access to the city's most festive events whilst offering contemporary luxury living. Whether you’re here for Christmas shopping, magical light displays, or a cosy holiday retreat, staying at one of these Blue Orchid hotels ensures you’re right at the centre of the holiday magic.

1.     Christmas Lights in Central London

London is renowned for its dazzling Christmas lights that transform the city into a winter wonderland each holiday season. Here are the key dates for the 2024 Christmas light displays across Central London:

Venues

Oxford Street: The festive lights will be switched on November 5, 2024, featuring thousands of twinkling stars that create a magical atmosphere for shoppers and visitors​

Covent Garden: Also lighting up on November 5, 2024, Covent Garden will showcase its iconic Christmas decorations, adding charm to the historic piazza.

Carnaby Street: Known for its creative and vibrant displays, the lights will be unveiled on November 6, 2024​

Trafalgar Square: The Christmas lights here will be switched on November 7, 2024, accompanying the traditional Christmas tree that stands proudly in the square​.

Marylebone Village: This picturesque area will glow with festive lights starting November 13, 2024​.

Kew Gardens: The gardens will illuminate their festive display on November 13, 2024, providing a unique and enchanting experience.

Leadenhall Market: The historic market will light up on November 14, 2024, offering a delightful setting for Christmas shopping and dining

What to Do: Wander through the sparkling streets, explore the surrounding shops, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

2. Christmas Tree Viewing

London’s Christmas trees are spectacular, and none is more iconic than the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree, which is gifted annually by Norway. Other beautiful trees around the city can be found in Covent Garden and Leadenhall Market.

Venues:

Trafalgar Square: Home to the famous Norwegian Christmas tree.

Covent Garden: A festive hub with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

Leadenhall Market: A charming traditional Christmas tree in a historic setting.

What to Do: Take pictures with the iconic trees, enjoy carol singing, and take in the festive atmosphere.

3. Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is London’s biggest Christmas attraction, featuring thrilling rides, ice skating, festive markets, and live shows. It’s the perfect family-friendly destination for those looking to enjoy a complete Christmas experience.

Venue: Hyde Park, London

What to Do: Take a spin on the ice rink, enjoy live performances, ride the observation wheel, and shop at the Christmas market.

4. Ice Skating in Central London

London’s ice rinks offer a magical experience during the Christmas season. Skate at some of the most famous locations in the city, including Somerset House and the Natural History Museum.

Venues:

Somerset House Ice Rink: A stunning neoclassical backdrop for ice skating.

Natural History Museum Ice Rink: Skate alongside the iconic museum building.

Winter Wonderland Ice Rink: Enjoy ice skating at London’s top Christmas event.

What to Do: Enjoy a festive skating session with family and friends, surrounded by the holiday lights and music.

5. Christmas Shopping in Central London

Christmas shopping in London is an unforgettable experience. From high-end department stores to charming markets, Central London has it all.

Venues:

Oxford Street: Home to famous department stores and boutiques.

Regent Street: Luxury shopping amid stunning Christmas lights.

Covent Garden Market: A historic market offering unique gifts and festive decorations.

What to Do: Browse luxury gifts, explore beautifully decorated window displays, and enjoy the festive atmosphere while shopping for the perfect holiday presents.

6. Christmas Markets in London

Christmas markets in London are a holiday staple, offering unique gifts, crafts, and delicious seasonal treats. These markets are perfect for those looking to experience the traditional side of Christmas in the city.

Venues:

Southbank Centre Winter Market: Located along the Thames, this market offers stunning river views and festive stalls.

Leicester Square Christmas Market: An intimate market with a variety of festive gifts.

Covent Garden Christmas Market: A charming market in the heart of Covent Garden, filled with seasonal delights.

Christmas in the Crescent: This elegant and intimate market offers high-end Christmas shopping, seasonal foods, and live music in a charming setting.

What to Do: Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts, enjoy festive food like mulled wine and mince pies, and take in the magical Christmas atmosphere.

7. Santa’s Grottos

Santa’s Grottos around London offer children the chance to meet Santa Claus and experience the magic of Christmas. Popular grottos can be found in Leicester Square and Hamleys toy store.

Venues:

Leicester Square Santa’s Grotto: A family favorite located in the heart of London.

Hamleys Santa’s Grotto: Located inside London’s famous toy store, Hamleys.

Winter Wonderland Grotto: Meet Santa as part of the Winter Wonderland experience.

What to Do: Bring your children to meet Santa, take festive family photos, and enjoy the magical Christmas setting.

8. Christmas Day Trips

If you’re staying in London over Christmas, why not take a day trip to explore nearby attractions? Windsor Castle, Greenwich, and a festive cruise along the Thames offer a perfect escape from the city’s hustle and bustle while still keeping the Christmas spirit alive.

Venues:

Windsor Castle: Experience royal history and festive decorations at this iconic landmark.

Greenwich: A peaceful day out with maritime history and scenic views.

Thames River Cruise: Enjoy a festive lunch while cruising along the Thames with beautiful views of London’s landmarks.

What to Do: Take in historic sites, enjoy scenic views, and relax on a Christmas-themed day trip.

9. Christmas Carols in Central London

Listening to Christmas carols is a tradition that brings joy and warmth to the season. London has some of the most beautiful venues to enjoy carol performances, including Trafalgar Square and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Venues:

Trafalgar Square: Listen to local choirs perform traditional carols by the Christmas tree.

St. Paul’s Cathedral: Attend a classic carol service in one of London’s most iconic buildings.

Southbank Centre: Enjoy an evening of carols by the riverside.

What to Do: Attend a carol service, sing along with the choirs, and enjoy the festive spirit of Christmas in London.

10. Christmas Lunch & Dinner at Tower Suites and The Wellington by Blue Orchid

Celebrate Christmas Day with a festive feast at Tower Suites or The Wellington by Blue Orchid. Enjoy a carefully curated menu of traditional Christmas dishes prepared by top chefs, in a beautifully decorated, festive setting.

Tower Suites: Enjoy a sophisticated Christmas lunch or dinner with a view of Tower Bridge. The Christmas menu offers classic dishes like roasted turkey with all the trimmings, along with a selection of desserts such as Christmas pudding.

The Wellington by Blue Orchid: Indulge in a cozy and intimate Christmas lunch or dinner, featuring festive favorites like roast turkey, glazed ham, and delicious mince pies. Ideal for couples and families looking for a traditional Christmas meal in the heart of London.

These festive meals will ensure that your Christmas stay at Blue Orchid Hotels are a memorable and delicious experience. Advance booking is recommended to secure your place at the Christmas table.

For the ultimate Christmas in Central London, stay at Tower Suites, The Wellington, or Tower Residence by Blue Orchid. These luxurious hotels offer not only comfort and elegance but also proximity to the city’s best Christmas events. Whether you’re looking to enjoy festive lights, explore Christmas markets, or indulge in a magical carol service, these hotels put you in the heart of it all. Don’t miss out on the special Christmas Lunch & Dinner offered at Tower Suites and The Wellington, where you can savour festive dishes with your loved ones. Book your stay now and create unforgettable holiday memories in London.

[christiangittingsblog]

Leadenhall Market //cool market building in London

[influencermagazineuk]

Approval Delayed for London Skyscraper as Tall as The Shard

Plans for a skyscraper as tall as The Shard in London have been delayed over minor revisions. The proposed 309.6m building, known as 1 Undershaft, has faced opposition due to its impact on historical sites. The City of London's planning committee heeded the delay, and even further approvals from the Mayor of London and other Prescott Leaders are required. Plans have been filed for a new skyscraper in London that will rival the height of The Shard. 1 Undershaft, as it will be known, is planned to be 309.6 meters tall and sited right next to the Leadenhall Building in central London. It would have 74 floors containing office and retail space, a viewing gallery, and a garden. Approval Process The plans had been expected to be signed off by the City of London's planning committee but have decided to delay the decision to allow some minor changes. It is also likely that the Greater London Authority will say the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, may need to review and sign off on the plans. Notably, the Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Secretary has to sign off on the project, too. Objections from Historic England Historic England objected to the skyscraper, arguing that it would harm the persona and size of the surrounding area. It believes that development could have a harming impact on many Grade-I listed residence, a conservation area, Tower of London World Heritage Site, and St James Park. Opposed to the challenge, too, is the Twentieth Century Society, a charity supporting architectural heritage. They said the dominant Aviva Tower on the site is a large Nineteen Sixties building that ought to be preserved.  Earlier Approvals and Revisions The plans take the place of a previously approved seventy-two-storey tower from November 2019. Amendments were supposed to accommodate the needs of the post-pandemic world and shifting market demand, all of which set within the ever-changing environment of the City of London. Despite the changes, further alterations are now necessary to assuage the making plans committee's concerns. Stand of The City of LondonShravan Joshi, chairman of the City of London Corporation's Planning and Transportation Committee, said the delay still does not mean any obstacle to development, but it reflects an obligation of ever-greater care in considering density in the eastern cluster. The committee said it will consider the revised proposals at the first opportunity. GLA Raises Concern The GLA highlighted that these plans no longer fully complied with the London Plan in a few areas. They had further questions about the site's energy strategy and sustainable development, and how it would impact traffic. If the City of London gives the go-ahead for plans, then Mayor Sadiq Khan will win the balancing act between the public benefits as proposed against the potential effects on heritage assets prior to making a final decision. Next Steps The proposals will then be reconsidered by the plans committee after necessary amendments have been made. If approved at this stage, the plans will pass to the Mayor of London and the Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Secretary for final approval. It will take several stages of approval along the way, plus silent concerns from heritage businesses, for this new skyscraper rivalling 1 Undershaft at the very top to recreate London's skyline. First of these will be navigating a handful of approval stages and overcoming the quiet concerns of heritage businesses. A decision has been delayed to ensure all factors are considered—this reflects the complex balance between development and protection at the heart of London. Read the full article