Where: Lime
Street, EC3
What:
The Lloyds building is an
exciting modern building and one
of those that you either love or hate. Price Charles famously
called
it
a 'carbuncle';
kids in
particular seem to love it. The glass, the shinny metal, the
pipes and the lifts seem to dazzle them.
The
Lloyds building is the home to the international insurance
market and the world centre of shipping intelligence. It
is named after Edward Lloyd’s coffee house, the 17th-century
meeting place for people interested in shipping. The famous
Lutine Bell is rung when an announcement of special importance
is to be made from the Rostrum, historically these would be about
overdue vessels.
The Lloyds
Building is actually almost 20 years old. It was designed by
the Richard Rogers partnership, and built between 1979 and 1984.
Nearest
underground station: Aldgate,
Bank or Monument
Admission: Tours
of the Lloyd's building are restricted to small groups and individuals
involved with the international insurance and finance industries.
Currently
(summer 2004) there are no visit facilities available to the general
public, but you can check this at the lloyds website (below)
or e-mail tours@lloyds.com.
Website: lloyds.com
London
Hotels (these links are to another website)