City Hall

Towering over the Thames, City Hall has become a London landmark. You can see its distinctive, bulbous shape from afar. The building may be called City Hall but it is not in the City of London, even though it is named after the American system of a mayor-council government established in 1999. City Hall houses the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, both of which are vital in the running of London, but the building’s design was not without controversy. It was created by Norman Foster, the same architect who designed the Gherkin, and features a helical walkway, which is said to resemble a ride on the London Eye. It also contains an exhibition and meeting space called London’s Living Room, offering spectacular views across the capital. While the design was intended to be eco-friendly, City Hall’s high energy consumption prompted criticism from assembly members, including Ken Livingstone, who famously referred to its design as a “glass testicle.” However, it remains a popular London tourist landmark and a must-see for any visitor.