>The tallest buildings aren't in the City, they're in Canary Wharf, a privately owned near-island with 24-hour guards at all entry points, and barriers that go up on the roads at night.
Not to nitpick but this isn't strictly true. The tallest building is in neither but very close to the City, then the 2nd tallest is in Canary Wharf but the third and fourth are definitely in the City again. You have some in the Wharf and some in the City after that but I am not sure if the difference regarding skyscrapers in the 2 parts is very relevant or explicit anymore.
Re:Empty London
by calpaterson on Sunday November 17, 2013 @09:10AM
(#6748981)
> In a business context, downtown in London is the City
Well, part of it is, but West End office rents are a lot higher than City rents.
Other than that, I totally agree: London doesn't really have a centre
You're suggesting that downtown is Oxford & Regent Streets, i.e. essentially high-street fashion shopping. Thing is, almost every shop on those streets is also in both Westfield malls on either side of the city, and many of the bigger brands are also on dozens of high streets across the city. There's seldom much call for most Londoners to actually go to those streets (IMO).
In a business context, downtown in London is the City, but the tallest buildings aren't in the City, they're in Canary Wharf, a privately owned near-island with 24-hour guards at all entry points, and barriers that go up on the roads at night.