London is one of the most famous capitals in the world, and one which many flock to for tourism and to soak in the atmosphere.

In addition to this, it’s also well-known for being a global business hub which houses the offices of iconic brands and companies.

One of the things its best known for is its idiosyncratic architecture, especially its skyscrapers and office buildings of the City.

In terms of its buildings and skyline, the City of London mixes old with new, featuring popular older buildings such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Guildhall, demonstrating its rich history. This can be contrasted with modern landmarks such as the Gherkin and the Walkie-Talkie, which stand testament to London’s identity as the business hub of the world.

So, in this article, we’ll walk you through 9 of the most iconic buildings in the City of London, from new to old, touristic to corporate, and more. 

London’s Iconic Buildings

The Gherkin

Perhaps one of the most iconic buildings in London’s skyline is the Gherkin, which is equally as famous for its name as it is for its shame and physical prominence.

The Gherkin is well-known and easily recognisable, with a curved shape which narrows at the top, giving it its famous name. It was designed and completed in 2003, and it was one of the first sustainable skyscrapers to be built in London.

This skyscraper is now prime real-estate for corporate offices, which all share this hub of business innovation.

The Shard

Another skyscraper on London’s skyline which would be difficult to miss is The Shard.

This is the UK and Western Europe’s highest building at 310 metres tall. It is another building which was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating energy-efficient systems, such as using waste heat to both cool and warm up the building.

In terms of uses, the Shard incorporates a wide range of industries. There’s a restaurant, hotel, viewing gallery and multiple office areas in the Shard, making it a place of social and cultural significance for many businesses and tourists alike.

Lloyd’s Building

The Lloyd’s Building is an older building in London – only by a few decades.

Finished in 1986, this London building is a feat of architecture, with an “inside out” design which included certain elements like pipes, ducts and lifts being exposed to the elements, outside the building itself.

The inside of the Lloyd’s Building is just as interesting, with open and often modular spaces which can be set up in a wide range of ways to suit lots of different functionalities.

The Lloyd’s Building has become something of a symbol in the financial industry, and it is seen as a hub of innovation.

St Paul’s Cathedral

A much older building in London, but one which is far more well-known by many is St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the UK’s most popular buildings with tourists visiting from abroad.

St Paul’s Cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and it is a masterpiece of a mixture of Neoclassical, Gothic and Baroque architecture. With its majestic dome, it is one of the UK’s most recognisable buildings.

It is still an active place of worship, hosting regular services and ceremonies, as well as national events like the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, for example.

The Bank of England

Perhaps better known for being an institution rather than a building, the Bank of England is famous across the world.

The building, however, is just as impressive as the institution itself. It stands tall on Threadneedle Street, and took 45 years to complete, between the years of 1788 and 1833.

The Bank of England is an icon of the UK’s financial industry, and the building is the perfect symbol of this, imposing and located in the heart of the capital. The institution itself also continues to play a crucial role in the economy of the country.

The Walkie Talkie

Moving back into the future now, the Walkie Talkie building (number 20 Fenchurch Street) is another of London’s well-known skyscrapers.

Completed in 2014, this building was named for its idiosyncratic top-heavy design, setting it apart from the other skyscrapers in London’s skyline.

The Walkie Talkie is a hub of London’s top offices, and it has become a prime spot where companies are vying for a space to house their office.

It is also well-known for having an unintended reflective design, which has been controversial due to the unfortunate side-effect of sun damage to cars and businesses caught in the building’s rays.

The Cheesegrater

The Cheesegrater (number 122 Leadenhall Street, or sometimes known as the Leadenhall Building) is famous for its wedge-like shape, which is thought to resemble a cheese grater.

This building was completed in 2014 by Richard Rogers, following a high-tech architectural style with transparency, structural expression and modern materials being key features.

As with many of London’s other famous buildings and skyscrapers, the Cheesegrater houses lots of London’s corporate offices, especially those in the financial and insurance industries. It also offers an ideal central London location, making it another prime spot for London’s booming business scene.

Architectural Styles & Evolution

What these 9 iconic buildings testify to is that London has a wide variety of architectural styles, and a clear evolution in these can be seen in the city’s skyline.

Firstly, we see the mediaeval and gothic architecture with St Paul’s Cathedral. Previous to the Great Fire of London, the Cathedral showcased Gothic architecture, while the current St Paul’s is in a Baroque style.

Following this, the Bank of England is a great example of neoclassical architecture, with its large columns and classical proportions.

Next up, we can see examples of modern and postmodern architecture across London, in the sleek forms of the Gherkin and the Shard.

Finally, the Walkie Talkie and the Cheesegrater are two of London’s contemporary and high-tech style buildings, demonstrating the evolution of London’s skyline into the modern age.

Thus, as we can see, London’s skyline is the perfect place to see the evolution of architectural styles, from baroque to high-tech and contemporary, and these buildings house some of the world’s most illustrious and well-known business’ offices.

How These Buildings Reflect the Evolution of London’s Landscape

Firstly, London’s skyline reflects the evolution from mediaeval to modern. The Great Fire of London prompted a shift from timber buildings to brick and stone. This happened at the same time as the expansion of financial power within the capital, where London started to become one of the world’s financial and business hubs, with buildings like the Bank of England being built.

After this, there was a change in the capital’s architecture following the industrial revolution and the urbanisation of London. This led to buildings like Leadenhall Market and the Royal Exchange being designed and completed, catering to the needs of a growing population.

Then, London had to be rebuilt after the effects of the Second World War on the capital. Since then, there was a focus on creating functional and simple buildings, formed with new materials. In the second half of the 20th century, skyscrapers became increasingly popular, leading architectural feats like the Lloyd’s Building being built.

Finally, the modern high-tech movement in the late 20th century – which is still around today – can be seen with buildings like the Cheesegrater and the Gherkin.

So, it is clear that London’s skyline shows the evolution of the capital and how historical, societal and cultural events have all shaped the world of architecture through the years.

The Most Iconic Buildings in London – A Summary

To conclude, we can see that London’s skyline is made up of a wide range of iconic buildings, showcasing the evolution of architecture in the city.

Many of these buildings house the Headquarters of the globe’s top companies, making London a booming hub of business innovation.