Head of Open House’s Introduction

Once again, great friends of Open House, Foster + Partners, are supporting the event in 2020 and I’m happy to introduce this new Foster + Partners walking itinerary. This year, we are formatting our itineraries slightly differently. In 2020, all walking and cycle itineraries will focus on exterior architecture and outdoor spaces so that they can be enjoyed in a socially distanced way. This also means that you can enjoy them at any time of year, so don’t worry if you run out of time on the Open House weekend, these itineraries will be available all year round.

Foster + Partners buildings in London remain some of the most talked about and most photographed of the Open House weekend. As an architecture practice, they also pride themselves on sustainability in their design, with their Bloomberg office being the most sustainable office in the world.

This self-guided walking itinerary will highlight some of Foster + Partners buildings in the city centre. Starting in Hackney at Principal Place, you will move down into the City of London, crossing over the Thames to Southwark, and end at the home of the London Mayor, at City Hall. The walk is 3 miles and mostly flat. We estimate the walk will take about an hour but do allow yourself a little extra time to admire the scenery!

Starting Point - 1 Principal Place, Hackney, EC2A 2BA

Principal Place
A new mixed-use development on the edge of the City of London, at 175 metres Principal Tower is one of London’s tallest residential buildings. The massing reflects the relationship between the creative, formerly industrial east end and Britain’s financial centre.

Walking directions
Walk east on Worship Street towards Norton Folgate > Turn right onto Norton Folgate > Turn left onto Camomile Street > Turn right onto St Mary Axe
13 minutes, 0.6 miles

30 St Mary Axe (30 St Mary Axe, EC3A 8BF)
30 St Mary Axe, affectionately known as the "Gherkin", is a landmark 40-storey office building. It was London’s first ecological tall building and became an instantly recognisable addition to the city’s skyline.

Walking directions
Turn left onto St Mary Axe > Turn right onto Leadenhall Street > Continue onto Cornhill > Continue onto Mansion House Street > Turn left onto Mansion House Place > Slight right onto
St Stephen's Row > Turn left onto Walbrook
11 minutes, 0.6miles

The Walbrook (25 Walbrook, EC4N 8AF)
The Walbrook is an iconic building that is uncompromisingly modern. It was completed in 2010 as part of the redevelopment project of St Swithin’s House, Granite House and Walbrook house. Its distinctive exterior is encased with solar shading which helps keep the building cool in summer and warm in winter.

Walking directions
Walk north on Walbrook towards Bloomberg Arcade > Turn left onto Bucklersbury
2 minutes, 499ft

Bloomberg (3 Queen Victoria St, EC4N 4TQ)
Bloomberg's European headquarters is one of the world's most sustainable office buildings. Home to the financial technology and information company's 4,000 London-based employees, its unique design promotes collaboration and innovation.

Walking directions
Walk north-west on Bucklersbury towards Queen Victoria Street > Turn left onto Queen Victoria Street > Turn left onto Garlick Hill > Turn right onto Great Trinity Lane > Turn left to stay on Great Trinity Lane > Turn right to stay on Great Trinity Lane > Turn left onto Queen Victoria Street > Turn left onto Peter's Hill > Continue onto Millennium Bridge
13 minutes, 0.7miles

Millennium Bridge (Thames Embankment, SE1 9JE)
A creative collaboration between architecture, art and engineering, the Millennium Bridge is London's only pedestrian bridge, and is the first new crossing on this part of the Thames in more than a century.

Walking directions
Walk north on Millennium Bridge > Turn right towards Bankside > Turn left onto Bankside > Continue onto Bank End > Turn left onto Clink Street > Continue onto Pickfords Wharf > Turn right towards Winchester Square > Turn left onto Winchester Square > Winchester Square turns slightly right and becomes Cathedral Street > Sharp left onto Montague Close > Continue onto Tooley Street > Continue straight to stay on Tooley Street > Turn left onto Tooley Street > Turn left onto Battle Bridge Lane > Turn right onto More London Riverside
18 minutes, 0.9miles

More London Riverside (More London Riverside, SE1 2RT)
More London integrates a broad mix of uses within a new network of streets and public spaces. The strong diagonal boulevard acts as the focal point for this masterplan, and follows the ideal pedestrian route from London Bridge Station to Tower Bridge- intersecting smaller routes and alleyways that forge links between the waterfront and the residential community of Bermondsey.

Walking directions
Walk east on More London Riverside
3 minutes, 0.1mile

City Hall (The Queen's Walk, SE1 2AA)
City Hall houses the chamber for the London Assembly, and the offices of the mayor and staff of the Greater London Authority. It forms the focal point of the More London development - a new working community on the south bank of the Thames between London and Tower Bridges.

1 hour walking distance, 3 miles