The Debate: Should London’s suburbs be spikier? Opinion A housing crisis and London’s relatively flat skyline have prompted calls for building taller (or ‘spikier’) in the suburbs. Growth bros on Twitter are desperate for London to “densify”, i.e. cram more buildings into a smaller space by building taller structures or extending current buildings upwards. Yet London’s outer regions are typically flat with parks, [...]
Check these amazing photos of surviving Victorian London pubs Life&Style London has many great things going for it, but among the very best are its great pubs. Many of the traditional “gin palace” style Victorian pubs are functioning relics of a bygone era, listed buildings that stand defiantly against the march of town-planning progress. Photographer Nahidul, who goes by the handle @LondonPubFacades, has made a [...]
Exclusive first look inside the Friends Experience at Royal Docks As you walk into the new Friends Experience at the Royal Docks, you’re greeted by a New York cab. On the far side of the vast hall is an exact recreation of the famous Central Perk coffee shop and in the distance I can make out the apartment shared by the eponymous friends, with its [...]
Walkie Talkie: Loss almost doubles to £150m at City of London landmark July 23, 2024 The company behind the 'Walkie Talkie' building in the City of London saw its operating loss more than double to almost £150m during its latest financial year, it has been revealed.
Even MI6 have issues with the planning system: the story behind the former spy school being converted into flats June 20, 2024 A Pimlico building is to be converted into flats. But this wasn't any transaction - the stucco offices have a remarkable backstory involving spies, council planning committees and the King
Build, Baby, Build: Why this election will change the politics of housing June 19, 2024 There’s good reasons to be optimistic that the next government will finally get a grip on the housing crisis. First, all parties have made manifesto commitments on building targets. Second, Labour voters are much more positively disposed to development, argues Shreya Nanda The housing crisis is a key issue facing the country at this election. [...]
Build, Baby, Build: The rental market and the rise of the DFL (that’s down from London) June 19, 2024 A rental market that drains bank balances and instils constant dread of eviction is driving people away from London. The capital can’t survive unless it can sustain its young workers, says Morgan Jones I lived in London for the best part of a decade, and for most of that time assumed that I probably always [...]
Build, Baby, Build: The private sector alone won’t fix the housing crisis June 18, 2024 The private sector has never delivered the 300,000 homes a year the government says we need; local authorities must be part of the solution, say Gideon Salutin and Niamh O Regan All the major parties are promising more homes at this election. Labour has promised 300,000 a year for England, while the Conservatives have pledged [...]
Build, Baby, Build: London doesn’t have to be so expensive June 18, 2024 London built the world’s first underground railway and the beautiful, beloved mansion blocks of Chelsea and Marylebone. We can do it again, says Sam Dumitriu Rents in London are now so high that a one bed in the capital will set you back more than a three bedroom will in any other region of England. [...]
Build, Baby, Build: You don’t solve a supply crisis by juicing demand June 18, 2024 Both parties are making big promises on housebuilding, but the policies being put forward are nothing new at best and actively harmful at worst, says Henry Hill This election is an important milestone in this country’s long-running housing crisis, because it is probably the first one in which both major parties have formally acknowledged that [...]