Lloyd’s Of London

Coolest work of architecture I’ve had the privilege to tour. Hands down. Was on a study abroad trip during my time at university and we were given an opportunity to tour & learn about Lloyd’s of London.
Yes, when you hear J. Lo’s legs are insured for an obscene amount of money — this is the house that did it. But besides all of the crazy stuff they insure, this company is filled with a glorious history.
If you like learning about history, this is a stop for you. If you love admiring amazing feats of architecture, this is a stop for you. Even if you don’t love either of those, this is a stop for you. The building is impressive even at a distance.

This probably one of my favorite architectural designs. As you are walking about 5 to 7 blocks from the building… you begin to be amazed by the wonder of the design. We spend several hours in the surrounding area and the building just to admire it. It is truly amazing. Must see!

Lloyds is not on the regular tourist map, you are not allowed inside. I was with a large group of students and our tour was prearranged. The architecture of the building is pretty unique, the history the trading desks etc still look like it did decades ago. If you get a chance to visit Lloyds don’t miss it.

I was lucky enough to have a tour of Lloyds of London with my college back in 2007. This was perhaps the best tour I have ever been on. While this is only an insurance company the architecture of the facility is fascinating to say the least. The industry professional who gives the tour is also excellent. They are filled with excellent stories about things they have insured like a pink elephant on water skis and Mariah Carey’s vocal cords. Skip the palace and take a tour of Lloyds.

Lloyd’s of London is one of the most memorable places I have EVER been. If you ever get the opportunity to take a tour of the facilities, TAKE IT! I was lucky enough to get a guided tour and was expertly told the entire history of Lloyd’s and why they chose to build thier home «inside out» so to speak. If tours are not your bag but interesting architecture is, then take a quick stroll down Lime Street past this ultra minimalist building — instead of wasting material on unnecessary reflecting windows, the building is completely «unwrapped» and all the bones are arteries are exposed. Its fascinating!
Oh, and if you are in shipping insurance, building re-​insurance or «Cranky Pop-Star’s who are worried about losing their limbs» insurance — you know that Llyod’s is where you do business.

Aaah. what better time than now than to visit the hub of all things financial and take a moment to recount on past economic glories.
Take a tour into this mind-​boggling post-​modern architectural creation, with huge spaces and plentiful escalators and understand a little more about the history and impact this insurance market has had on the globe. I’ve got to tell you though, it’s a little risky.

I have been visiting the Richard Rogers’ Lloyds of London building during the last London Open House festival. The building is really impressing as one example of architectural brutalism that really worth the visit. I really liked the lift that is a glass cube and is located in the exterior of the building and shows amazing views of London.
I think that everyone should visit this amazing building because it is really surprising and it is one of the most representative elements of the skyline of London, but it is only open to general public on one weekend during the London Open House festival.

I guess there’s two strands here: one, the building itself, which is evidently stunning, regardless of whether you like it or not. Secondly, there is the work that’s done inside: Lloyd’s is an insurance market, where ‘brokers’ meet ‘underwriters’ to insure things (spice girls tours, skiing competitions, satellites, oil rigs, entire navies) on behalf of clients. It’s a high-​powered money market, essentially — but you can’t go onto the trading floors without special permission (or if you actually work there). Worth a look if you can get onto the trading floors, where on your first visit you will be hit by a feeling that this place really is quite a powerhouse, and very unique.

I think this building, along with the Gherkin, is the symbol of the decadent/​contemporary contrast that I love about London. Alongside with all those old houses, you get to see this wonderfull gigantic metal building that reminds me of a robot. All its structures are exposed and you can even see people in the lifts.

Lloyds of London, the world’s foremost insurance underwriting institution, has had several homes since it was founded in 1688. None, however, has been as controversial as the building designed for it by Richard (now Lord) Rogers and opened in 1986.
The new Lloyd’s building shares many of the hallmarks demonstrated in his other iconic building, the Pompidou Centre in Paris, of having externally-​visible structural elements and services as part of the architectural design. The Lloyds building, however, features extensive use of stainless steel and brushed aluminium, which helps to unify the appearance. In theory, this also makes the services more accessible for maintenance and replacement, although in practice some argue that the benefit is probably offset by their exposure to the elements. An odd quirk is the retention of the original doorway in the street-​level façade.
Either way, it is an unmissable building on any tour of the City of London.