Pre-World War II and early beginnings
The area in and around ‘the City’ dates back over 2,000 years and once constituted most of London as the original Roman settlement of Londinium. Yet despite being London’s historic epicentre, 40% of all its residential housing was built in just seven years. To discover more information about this residential epicentre, visit our City of London office page to explore the area in more detail.
Largely destroyed in the Great Fire of London, much of the City was rebuilt to match its original medieval design. The area’s population fell rapidly in the 19th century as residents followed London’s expansion outwards in search of work and larger accommodation.
During World War II – and the Blitz raids in particular – the City was ravaged by aerial bombing. Reflecting these socio-economic factors, approximately just 500 residents remained in the City by 1950. Despite this, residential housing is still available in this iconic borough; to see what is currently available, visit Knight Frank’s property listing page.
The subsequent implementation of the borough’s recovery and re-building strategy included a focus on council housing, famously exemplified by the iconic Barbican Estate. This, alongside the Golden Lane and Middlesex Estates, were lauded as models of social housing and urban living and became symbols of post-war recovery and social responsibility.
1970s and beyond
The near complete destruction of the City’s historic fabric enabled the construction of modern and larger-scale developments, with a focus on commercial use buildings. This development contributed towards re-establishing the area as London’s financial nucleus.
The 1970s witnessed the construction of tall office buildings including the 47-storey Natwest Tower; the first skyscraper in the UK, and Centre Point – laying the foundations of the City skyline that defines and colours London’s financial district today.
21st Property Development
Iconic buildings such as the Gherkin, the Cheesegrater, 20 Fenchurch Street, the Walkie-Talkie, the Broadgate Tower and the Heron Tower; the tallest in the City, have quite literally shaped London’s skyline and are some of the capital’s most recognisable buildings.
The City’s residential offering also continues to develop at pace. Situated on the riverfront at Tower Bridge, Landmark Place is an example of one of the borough’s new home offerings.
The development will offer 165 one-bed suites, one, two and three-bed apartments and penthouses once complete.