London hasn’t stopped building this year and there are a couple of really stunning additions
Cranes have long been a staple of London‘s ever-changing skyline, but the past two years have seen an unprecedented surge. While we’ve all been bustling post-pandemic, it’s evident that the construction industry hasn’t skipped a beat – not before, not after.
Yet, amidst London’s construction frenzy, not every newcomer deserves applause. Predictably, residential blocks still dominate the scene, but this list aims to spotlight the true treasures of the past year: public spaces like universities, tube stations (hello, Elizabeth line), and markets. Of course, we’ll throw in a few skyscrapers for good measure, but let’s be honest – they’re not winning any popularity contests (we’re looking at you, Gherkin-blockers).
So, whether you’re a seasoned Londoner or a future visitor, these fresh landmarks are a must-see. And if you’re patient enough, you might even catch a glimpse of the upcoming Google London – Pancras Square by Heatherwick Studio.
Let’s now see what London has in store for you.
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1. 22 Bishopsgate by PLP Architecture (2020)
22 Bishopsgate is the reason you can no longer catch a glimpse of the beloved Gherkin from Bank. It is the second tallest building in the United Kingdom and the second tallest in Western Europe. With enough room to host a small country (okay, maybe not a whole country, but at least a really, really big family reunion), this behemoth boasts a capacity for 12,000 people. It was designed as a Vertical Village and its program is a mix of office space, gym, clubs and restaurants. At the summit, five levels of restaurants, bars with external terrace, and London’s highest and free-to-public access Viewing Gallery, offer incredible views of London. So, if you’re tired of the Gherkin hogging all the skyline attention, welcome 22 Bishopsgate – where being the second tallest is the new first place! Read more here.
Location: 22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AJ (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Monument, Bank
2. Newfoundland by Horden Cherry Lee (2021)
Horden Cherry Lee gave London’s Canary Wharf district a dose of bling with their latest creation, the Newfoundland residential skyscraper. Picture this: a 225-metre tall tower donning a diamond-shaped exoskeleton, standing proudly on the banks of the Thames like the Beyoncé of buildings. But this architectural gem, not only serves as a dazzling addition to the skyline, it also ingeniously tackles the challenge of being built above an Underground train line tunnel. The exoskeleton isn’t just for show; it’s in fact the superhero cape that allows this 58-storey-high tower to defy gravity and wind load. Newfoundland is part of a grand plan to turn the primarily commercial Canary Wharf district into a residential hotspot. Because why should offices have all the fun when you can have a diamond-encrusted home in the sky? Read more here.
Location: Newfoundland Place, London E14 4BJ (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Canary Wharf
3. Design District Canteen by Selgascano (2021)
The market at Greenwich Peninsula is not your average market. Positioned like the VIP entrance to the Greenwich Peninsula, it’s the cool kid on the block that locals and visitors can’t resist (we couldn’t!). Imagine a market so transparent it’s practically living its truth. This place isn’t hiding anything; it’s flaunting its goods thanks to a sleek metal structure, so light it’s practically on a diet, and a stressed clear ETFE membrane that covers the central spine. Selgascano are also the architects behind the Serpentine Pavilion of 2015. Read more here.
Location: Soames Walk, London SE10 0AX (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: North Greenwich
4. Esperance Bridge by Moxton Architects (2021)
After the grand revival of Coal Drops Yard in 2018, this bridge is the ultimate mic drop – the final piece in the heritage puzzle of King’s Cross. Back in the day, there was a bridge from 1821 hanging out on the Regents Canal, doing its thing and hauling coal to the Goods Yard. Fast forward to the 1920s, and this bridge decided it had seen enough, packed its bags, and took a retirement trip when rail freight went on a decline. Classic bridge move. The new bridge takes inspiration from its predecessor and you’ll see this in the repeated modules, its nodes, and compression capacity. It was named by the Children of the King’s Cross Academy and inspired by the Espérance Club (1895-1914), a pioneering social project for local sewing girls created by two radical suffragettes, Mary Neal and Emmeline Pethick Lawrence. Read more here.
Location: Goods Way, London N1C 4DP (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: King’s Cross St Pancras
5. RCA Battersea by Herzog & de Meuron (2021)
The Battersea campus of the Royal College of Art (RCA) is a dynamic hub at the intersection of science, arts, and design. Adapting to the evolving programs of the 185-year-old institution, this project aims to boost the culture of design innovation and entrepreneurship at the RCA. Located in the Battersea Creative Quarter, the campus covers an urban block to the south of existing RCA Battersea buildings. With 15,500 sqm of workshop, studio, and research space, it comprises a ground floor hosting workshops and manufacturing facilities, a 4-storey Studio Building along Howie Street, and an 8-storey Research Building along Parkgate Road. The workshop and studio building showcase textured brickwork and north-facing clerestory lights, creating a distinct yet contextual profile on Battersea Bridge Road. Read more here.
Location: Riverside, 1 Hester Rd, London SW11 4AY (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Battersea Power Station
6. Keybridge Tower by Allies and Morrison (2021)
© EH Smith
In the quirky tapestry of London’s ever-evolving landscape, the revamped Keybridge estate is an odd fusion of the old and the outrageously new. In contrast to the high-rise towers on one side and the diverse buildings of the adjacent neighbourhood on the other, Keybridge serves as a (very tense?) junction where the old meets the new – nestled on the fringes of a laissez-faire redevelopment zone from Battersea to Vauxhall, it’s like the rebellious teenager of urban planning, refusing to conform. Formerly a home to a colossal 1960s BT telephone exchange, Keybridge now boasts almost 600 residential units (with houses, maisonettes, and flats thrown into the mix). Allies and Morrison’s approach to design rejects conventional grids, responding to London’s typical streetscape with a non-formalist and contextualized arrangement. Read more here.
Location: 1 Exchange Gardens, London SW8 1BG (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Vauxhall, Nine Elms
7. The Elizabeth line: Tottenham Court by Hawkins\Brown (2022)
Designed to handle a staggering 30,000 passengers per hour during peak times, this station is a true feat of engineering prowess. Nestled in central London, it seamlessly connects commuters to office towers, shopping meccas, and the vibrant theatre district. But crafting this urban lifeline wasn’t a walk in the park. It had to navigate a labyrinth of existing tunnels, services, and underground infrastructure, not to mention the foundations of the iconic Centre Point tower (check my Brutalist tours to learn more). Parts of the city had to be reshaped to make room for this modern marvel – including bidding farewell to a block of beloved ’90s club venues. Perhaps the most aesthetic part of the complex are the tunnels: Grimshaw’s partner Neill McClements describes the tunnel junctions as ‘street corners’ but they have become a photography destination in their own right. Read more here.
Location: Tottenham Court Road Station, Oxford St, London W1D 2DH (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Tottenham Court Road
8. One Park Drive by Herzog & de Meuron (2022)
One Park Drive is a visual gateway to the new district at Canary Wharf. It is the focal point of a new dock edge promenade and the anchor of the new park proposed to line the southern edge of the master plan. With 483 apartments spread across 58 storeys, this tower isn’t just a pretty face; it’s a blend of form and function. The circular design, a stark contrast to its boxy neighbours, ensures every unit gets its fair share of sunlight and stunning views. Anchoring the western end of the new district, the circular tower is viewed from all sides. It is seen equally from the streets of Canary Wharf, the new promenade and the waterways surrounding it. Read more here.
Location: London E14 9GG (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Canary Wharf
9. The Marshall Building by Grafton Architects (2022)
© Ed Reeve
The Marshall Building, the London School of Economics and Political Science’s (LSE) latest masterpiece, is perhaps one of the most exciting additions to London’s architectural scene. This building is a true chameleon, seamlessly blending into its surroundings while standing out as a beacon of innovation. What sets this building apart is its ingenious rotating structure, a true engineering marvel that adapts to the diverse needs of its inhabitants. Like a tree reaching for the sky, its columns and beams spread outwards, gracefully guiding the forces of gravity to the ground below. Lecture theatres, study nooks, academic offices, and even squash courts find their home within its walls. Read more here.
Location: 44 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LY (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Holborn, Chancery Lane
10. Triptych Bankside by Squire & Partners (2022)
© Triptych Bankside by Squire & Partners
Expanding eastward from Tate Modern Park, Triptych Bankside offers a mix of creative workspace in a ten-storey building and two residential blocks standing tall at fifteen and nineteen storeys respectively. The residential blocks, with their gently twisting forms and curved terraces, are designed to optimise amenity space and embrace local vistas. The design prioritises permeability and panoramic views of landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern. Read more here.
Location: 185 Park St, London SE1 9SH (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Southwark, Borough, London Bridge
11. 8 Bishopsgate by WilkinsonEyre (2023)
With its unique stepped-back design, reminiscent of a Jenga tower, this building splits into three sections. Each section has its own distinctive treatment – the lower flaunts a stone-clad charm, while the middle and upper sections shimmer in glass. Engineers, architects, and planners came together to craft a building that’s as efficient as it is eye-catching. From its floorplate-first approach to its energy-saving design, every detail was meticulously planned. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. With the ill-fated Pinnacle lurking in the background and market woes to contend with, the project faced its fair share of challenges. Yet, against all odds, 8 Bishopsgate won the battle. Don’t miss its public viewing platform, the views of Bank (as showed in the picture) are special. Read more here.
Location: 8, 150 Bishopsgate, Leadenhall St EC2N 4BQ (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: Monument, Bank
12. Cadence by Alison Brookes Architects (2023)
Cadence stands tall as a prominent feature in the King’s Cross Central Masterplan, a project reshaping London’s urban landscape. Its distinctive design, with perhaps some of the the most graceful brick arches you’ll ever spot in London, adds a new dimension to the neighbourhood’s character. It was inspired in the nearby St Pancras Station’s iconic façade. Housing 100 dwellings and 50 affordable apartments atop commercial and social spaces, Cadence showcases innovative offsite manufacturing techniques. Inside, the foyer dazzles with cross-vaults and arches leading to a private courtyard and reflecting pool. Evoking the area’s historic canals and Roman influences, this space offers residents a serene retreat amidst the urban bustle. Read more here.
Location: Cadence, 4 Lewis Cubitt Walk, London N1C 4ER (Google)
Nearest Tube Station: King’s Cross St. Pancras
I hope you liked this list and get yourself started as there are another 290+ locations waiting for you in London in my guide. If you need some help to arrange your plan or want to listen to London’s quirkiest and most fun stories, then make sure to book a tour with me.
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Virginia Duran 
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This is great up in London again feb will have to check out some of these sites although i already have a packed itinerary only there for two days nice blog Virginia thanks for the info.
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That’s exciting! Two days will be indeed a challenge. Any areas you won’t miss? Or buildings you’d love to visit (even if they aren’t in this article)?
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I will be concentrating my efforts on staircases as a theme this trip and will probably extend my visit to three days to see a bit more thanks Virginia.
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That’s so great! I’ve actually written about that subject. Maybe this list gives you some extra ideas https://architectourguide.com/blogs/london/top-8-most-beautiful-stairs-of-london
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