Deutsch 21st Century London
BORN-AGAIN BRIXTON – A thriving market and a story of revival and regeneration
A walk that explores the centre of Brixton, including its colourful market, but also visits an award-winning redevelopment of a once notorious ‘sink’ housing estate, and Zaha Hadid’s Sterling Prize winning Academy.
THE OPEN WATER AND GREEN SPACES OF CANARY WHARF
If you associate Canary Wharf with a jungle of glass, steel and concrete – think again. The open stretches of water give a feeling of air and space between the buildings. This walk covers the history of the area, with lots of visual aids to show the sheer scale of the 19c docks. But its emphasis in on the open waters and imaginative landscaping of its green spaces, the most impressive of which is 300m long Crossrail Station Roof garden.
KINGS CROSS REGENERATION – IT’S STILL ALL CHANGE
Currently Europe’s largest city centre regeneration scheme the once seedy area of Kings Cross has been reborn as a vibrant new mixed use development, including the new home to the University of the Arts, Aga Khan centre, Google’s HQ, flats, shops and art centres. Over 20 old buildings have found new uses, coal drops have become a shopping centre and a gas holder had become a park. Gardens by Dan Pearson, and other leading landscape designers.
LONDON’S NEW ‘FAR EAST’ – THE ROYAL DOCKS AND SILVERTOWN (3 ½ hrs)
The massive expanse of the Royal Docks is being transformed into major residential areas (Royal Victoria Dock and Silvertown) and into London’s 3rd financial centre – the Chinese-funded £1.7bn Asian Business Park. (Royal Albert Dock). The first 2hrs we explore Victoria Dock and take the DLR to/from the Asian Business Park. (Walk can end here). Then we cross the dock to explore Silvertown via a high walkway (NB not suitable for vertigo sufferers or those who can’t do stairs) to explore the regeneration along the riverside. The walk ends at Thames Barrier Park with its great views of the Barrier and imaginatively landscaped park. Both walks cover both the history, with visual aids, as well as future plans. (Can be done as 2 separate walks. Silvertown as separate walk can be accessed avoiding high walkway).
NEW BUILDINGS OF THE CITY – The Post-Brexit Effect
In its 2000yr. history the City has faced many cataclysmic events, the Great Fire and Blitz, end of Empire and ‘Big Bang’, and each time it has risen metaphorically and literally ‘from the ashes’. Now comes the challenge of Brexit. In response the City has developed a new strategy which is reflected (yes double meaning intended!) in its new buildings. Get a real flavour of the City rising to the challenge of the next phase in its history (2 ½ hrs +).
NORMAN FOSTER’S LONDON – FROM ‘ONION’ TO ‘GHERKIN’
More than any other architect, Norman Foster is altering the London skyline. A walk along the South Bank – now re-titled More London, taking a look at City Hall – the ‘onion’ with its elliptical spiral ramp and at the streetscape and the sculpture. Crossing over Tower Bridge and ending by the ‘Gherkin’.
SKYSCRAPERS OF THE CITY – FROM THE ‘CHEESE-GRATER ’ TO THE SHARD
A walk concentrating on the new skyscrapers changing the skyline of the City. Starting at what the planners call the ‘Eastern Cluster’ around Bishopsgate, the walk explores the modern architecture of the Eastern area of the City, crossing Tower Bridge to end under the Shard.
STRATFORD + THE QUEEN ELIZABETH OLYMPIC PARK
The Olympic Park has now been transformed into a public park, and the areas surrounding it are being redeveloped progressively. I can offer a variety of walks in and around the park concentrating on different themes from landscape design to regeneration. (Walks will be around 3 – 31/2 hrs, but can be curtailed or extended to full days incl. lunch – on request).