Old City Hall

Old City Hall stands on the south bank of the River Thames in Bermondsey, a short walk from Tower Bridge. The building was designed by Norman Foster and served as headquarters for the Greater London Authority from 2002 until 2021. It occupies part of the More London development on land once used by wharves that supplied the Pool of London. The unusual shape was meant to cut energy use, though glass cladding made it inefficient. Mayors Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson both compared it to a glass testicle, while others called it a misshapen egg or woodlouse. A 500-metre helical walkway winds ten storeys up to a viewing deck that was sometimes open to the public. The building’s circular debating chamber sat at the base of the walkway, with seats arranged in a ring. Photovoltaic panels were added in 2006 to meet climate targets, though energy use remained high. The Twentieth Century Society placed it on its Risk List in 2021 after plans to vacate the site were confirmed. St Martins Property Group now leads a redesign that will straighten the leaning profile and add office and retail space. The core of the original structure will be kept, but the distinctive slant will be softened. Visitors can still see the building’s exterior along The Queen’s Walk, a pedestrian embankment with views across the Thames. The nearest station is London Bridge, linking the site to the wider city. Inside, the helical ramp once offered glimpses of the interior and framed debates below. Now shrouded in scaffolding, the refurbishment will transform it into a mixed-use space while preserving its unusual form. Films such as Spectre and Mickey 17 have used the building as a backdrop, adding to its cultural presence.