Invasion of the glass monsters

[mossie]

On my return to Liverpool St station on my last visit I decided to take a fresh picture of the Gherkin and was rather put out to see that it was being shouldered aside by an ugly rectangular slab of glass.



It has been a long time since I walked through the City, so, as well as wanting to visit the sites of the offices I worked at in my youth, I decided one day I would go and see what other monsters had been spawned. I have already shown this horrible beast.



But knew there were more, however first things first, as soon as I got off the train I headed for Finsbury Square where my first City jobs were. No 1 was in a building long since gone which stood on the left hand corner of this very nondescript building, now occupied by one of our largest bean counters



Here I worked as an office boy for a firm of accountants, but after a few months got sacked for paying more attention to office girls than dusty ledgers. I easily got another similar job round the corner here.



I had breezed into the first place but the man on reception was not English and had no idea what I was talking about when I tried to explain I just wanted a look round as I had worked there long before he was born. However the second place had a very attractive young lady receptionist and we had quite a pleasant chat before serious work intervened and I made my farewells. She sits at the desk here directing people to all the strange firms which inhabit the suites of offices housed behind a facade which looks much like the original building, but which has been totally gutted and remodelled




On the west side of the square is this blob, housing the new headquarters of the London Metal Exchange, where prices for most of the metal traded round the world are set. they had only been in for a few months when a structural component dropped by some 200 millimetres, causing their retreat to temporary offices in direst Essex while the problem was fixed. The architect had not earned his substantial fees which are normally got too easily on these buildings. A few straight lines sketched on the back of a fag packet are generally enough for the banker to peer through his cocaine induced haze and bray "Bang on old boy, let's do it" and sign the cheque.



Looking north into the wilds of Islington are some more normal city buildings



But I set of south to explore Moorgate and soon reached the Tube station, now in total chaos as the new Crossrail super Tube is being constructed beneath it



Here some piece of the structure is being dropped into place



Time for a cup of tea, but I'll be back

[Deleted]

This is a great report. You have inspired me, mossie. Before long, I will do a report on my various workplaces in Paris. Luckily, none of them have been torn down.

[mossie]

Can't wait Kerouac, Paris does not let architects indulge in hashish inspired dreams.

[bixaorellana]

And I can't wait for you to finish your tea and show us some more, Mossie!

It must be admitted that I very much like some of your "monsters", although the slab o'glass next to the Gherkin does seem excessive. Really, one of the things I find so appealing about London is the proliferation of architectural styles that have accumulated through the ages. (This will give me something to chat about with you and with Prince Charles, whomever I meet first.)

What is the big glass building next to the Moorgate tube construction and do you like that one?

[mossie]

Now looking back to this building I think I would not want to pay the window cleaner to clean all the pigeon shit off those windows. Note the road is partially blocked by contractors site offices with a label stating Finsbury Circus. This is not a comment on what is going on, but is a real square where a major part of the new Crossrail station serving Liverpool Street and around is nearing completion ready for the opening around New Year.



Finsbury Circus has a pleasant garden for city workers and loafers like me, to relax in



The old Globe pub and its adjoining shops will not be moved I hope



But close by is yet another monster with its mouth wide open gasping to swallow up more decent buildings



while up ahead yet another is poised to crash down and crush innocent passers by



But it gets worse as I dive into a nearby coffee shop to steady my nerves and spot this monster serpent slithering about on the chairs



Coming out I calm down at the sight of a more classically ornamented building



They could even be real saints



Round the corner is the palace of King Bean Counter, looks like hard work



Hurrying on I face the Mansion House, and some idiot has been allowed to spoil the view with this crude cubic thing



While the Royal Exchange is also disfigured by odd shapes nearby



There is a statue in honour of the man who pioneered the Tube tunnels



and Wellington astride his horse, with an oddly striped building in the background



Just round the corner the Walkie Talkie looms over the street, wondering what to crush next



Tension is relieved by this sign, confirming that they are all on the fiddle round here



I've had enough and retreat int the Crosse Keys for lunch. That used to be the Shanghai Banks banking hall



I spot the office newby in the clutches of the office bicycle, he's hooked.



Teatime now, I'll let you get your breath

[whatagain]

Personally I love the woofer.
As for the window cleaners, they should not work as much as before : fr.saint-gobain-glass.com/content/une-nouvelle-campagne-de-communication-pour-bioclean
There was a fun one, but I can't find it...
www.ina.fr/video/PUB2586676014

This one I fun.

[mossie]

After lunch I make my way down to London Bridge, passing over Lower Thames Street on the way



London Bridge is always busy and a popular spot for watching the river, and a view of the Shard over on the South Bank beside London Bridge station



There is a good view of Tower Bridge and the cruiser Belfast, but threatening in the distance, some 3 miles down river, are the bankers palaces on Canary Wharf which I showed on an earlier thread



getting closer to world domination



Looking to the west sees another monstrosity, a block of fancy flats attracting all the laundered money from the east and the communists.



The sightseeing boats are ever present



with a few hardy souls braving the speedboat ride



but we cannot escape the architects abominations, this heap of crap has bubbled up out of the mud



The Walkie Talkie appears to be glowering at it, as if it wanted to shove it into the river and take its place



I have done enough moaning, I was tired and caught a bus back up to Liverpool Street and the train home, but did really enjoy my day up in town wandering round the city

[bixaorellana]

And I really enjoyed this thread, but maybe for what you'd consider all the wrong reasons!

In the 5th picture from the bottom, what is that building with the bulge on the far left?

[whatagain]

I love any view including the Belfast. She is is just beautiful.

Anyway, I found the ad I wanted to about self cleaning glass.

[mossie]

Bixa, the bulging building as far as I can make out, is suites of classy offices and maybe flats higher up. Actually it is a fairly conventional looking block with a set of curved beams stuck to give the effect. Another flashy architects ego trip.