Home of the Greater London Authority, City Hall houses the offices of the Mayor of London, the London Assembly and their staff. Located between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, on the south bank of the Thames, the building’s shape has been referred to as ‘The Glass Onion’ or ‘Darth Vader’s Helmet’, and the Mayor himself refers to the modern building as ‘The Gonad’. City Hall was designed by world-renowned architect, Sir Norman Foster, and was opened by the Queen on 23 July 2002. The shape of the rounded glass building was based on a modified sphere, and the building was designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Inside, a spiral walkway ascends the full height of the ten-story building while at the top an exhibition and meeting venue called ‘London’s Living Room’ offers stunning panoramic views of London’s skyline. Parts of City Hall are open to visitors Mondays to Thursdays.
- City Hall, Greater London Authority
- The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA
- www.london.gov.uk
- Underground: London Bridge