Minster Court: Postmodern Gothic

Let’s look at that huge, weird, sort of gothicky office complex on the edge of the City of London.
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[@cossie6824]

Haha!! I worked on that when it was being built back in the late 80”s/early 90”s. We were doing the granite cladding. Some of the prefabricated units being sent up from Gartners factory, in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, were incomplete due to the building schedule. We had to work off a variety of scaffolds, cherry pickers and window cleaner cradles to slot the last pieces into the jigsaw. I remember the fire, we had to spend extra time in the bar at Fenchurch Street Station due to that emergency!!! Great days

[@terry2295]

intresting hearing the story from one of the builders

[@foowashere]

@@terry2295 it’s really one of the things I enjoy most on Jago’s channel, reading all the informed and personal/reflective comments about the topic. It’s really the best crowd here. And Jago himself, of course.

[@terry2295]

@@foowashere definitly

[@marvintpandroid2213]

It must be very hard to make granite and marble look like plastic cladding. But they did it.

[@bigblue6917]

And plastic cladding look like granite and marble. Architecture is a very confusing subject.

[@Dec38105]

granite is cheaper than plastic cladding... or has come to be

[@beeble2003]

Better than Portland marble, which looks exactly like undressed concrete but is umpteen times as expensive.

[@hectorboone4662]

you probably dont care but if you're bored like me during the covid times then you can watch all the new series on Instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother lately =)

[@levieden8338]

@Hector Boone Yup, have been using Instaflixxer for since november myself :D

[@TheCaptScarlett]

Never mind Batman, this was Glenn Close's Cruella De Vil's fashion headquarters in the live action 101 Dalmatians

[@gavingilbert8510]

A bit more detail. I worked opposite Minister Court, in Plantation House, during MC's construction and the day of the fire. 3MC, which contained the largest free standing escalator in Europe, was the unit that burnt down. The escalator, actually series of escalators, ran the full height of the nine or 10 floors of the central atrium and was still in it's protective wrapping when a relatively small fire broke out on the ground floor. This spread quickly helped by both the wrapping being flammable and the atrium acting like a chimney flu. Never seen flames like it. 3MC was designed to be the London Underwriting Centre, so a Lloyd's of London type arrangement for the Insurance Company market, which never really took off so the building was converted to conventional office lets. I've worked in all 3 units during my time, internally all are particularly bland and anonymous

[@kaitlyn__L]

I appreciate the irony that were it not for the wrapping, the fire may not have spread.

[@turbo.panther]

I have an A grade iconic postmodern shed in the backyard.

[@PMA65537]

Are you in Dulwich? (add edit for confused out-of-towners en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shed_at_Dulwich )

[@turbo.panther]

@@PMA65537 Peter, I'm not sure why but I have the feeling there's a joke somewhere in that question. No, I'm not in Dulwich, I'm a bit south of there. In Australia.

[@kazikian]

No, that’s vernacular.

[@sanchoodell6789]

@@turbo.panther Would that be Dulwich Hill, Sydney, NSW!

[@turbo.panther]

@@kazikian Yeah I figured that. I just don't know what it means.

[@ShadowRaccoon]

Interestingly this building made an appearance in the live action 101 Dalmations movie, as the 'House of DeVil’, fashion house. Somewhat fitting given its style as you describe

[@Space_Kalak]

Seems oddly appropriate that a bunch of people in life-sized animal costumes can be seen occasionally wandering around ;P

[@ayecarambapoker]

This brought back some memories. In the late 1990s there was a club inside (bizarrely called Minsters of all things) which was a total meat market on Thursday and Friday nights. Lots of girls would turn up looking to snag a trader or broker (the guys who earn the mega money in the city). And guess what? Every guy in there just happened to be a trader or broker! Convenient eh?

[@kavorkaa]

Hahahaha,i remember that

[@chriszanf]

That bar persisted through to the time I worked there from 2006 - 2010 and it was still a gnarly meatmarket on Thursday and Friday nights!

[@patl709]

I enjoyed many good evenings in Minsters bar and I was not a broker or trader. Unfortunately one night there was a stabbing on the dance floor (that could be a song title) and the bar was never the same afterwards. I think this was the mid nineties.

[@mickadams4471]

@@patl709 I remember that, Eagle Star had a suite in Minster Court and we often frequented Minsters. Think you’re correct with mid-90s.

[@seeitsayitdoggo5398]

A second home for me is this building based on the amount of time I spent here in 2019. I miss the city so much and it's great to hear about the history of the place I hold close to my heart.

[@kaitlyn__L]

I love your banner! Is it based on a particular train?

[@Ergogeorge]

This is definitely postmodernism at it's best. It's so easy to make postmodernist architecture that appears flimsy and indifferent. This one is fun, and interested, and open; rather than spiffy and overly self referential

[@metrotechguru5863]

What?

[@arryc3947]

Fun Fact. The building contains the London Underwriting Centre. The fire just before completion led to the creation of Advanced Loss of Profits covers, as the developers had no protection for the profits they would have made had the building opened on time.

[@mickd6942]

@Ross Bourne the basement was where the fire started I think

[@shrikelet]

Three horses named Pound, Dollar, and Yen? This really is the most 80s place on Earth, isn't it?

[@Garethness]

I guess the contemporary names would be Yuan, Bitcoin, NFT ?

[@megazenn22]

@@Garethness NFTs arent a currency

[@shrikelet]

@@Garethness I’d hope people no longer idolise currency, but yeah, you’re probably right.

[@Garethness]

@@megazenn22 shows what I know!

[@ayecarambapoker]

Nor is Bitcoin if you’re an economist

[@KravKernow]

Fun fact: The nuns of St Helen formed one of the first rugby league teams. Then, with Henry VIII's dissolution of monasteries and nunneries, they had to move to Lancashire. But the team exists to this day.

[@roberthill6216]

St. Helen's is now in the Merseyside metropolitan borough, but, once used to be in Lancashire, just like Manchester.

[@davidpanton3192]

Ubiquitous iconic buildings? Quite. It's like how every city claims to have more green space than any other city and every seaside town has 'something for everyone.'

[@andrewyoung749]

others are diverse, inclusive and vibrant and cosmopolitan lol

[@bucephalus00]

And big organisations that claim that people are at the centre of everything they do

[@visionsofhere3745]

"Iconic" is the second most devalued word in the English language - almost "literally".

[@Calum_S]

I think 'passionate' gives them a run for their money.

[@AFCManUk]

Moe from 'The Simpsons' described Post-Modernism best. "weird, for the sake of being weird"

[@_adamsmith]

I walk past this every day on the part of my commute from Fenchurch Street to Southwark and it has really grown on me. The little shopping arcade on the ground floor is a complete throwback to the early 1990s and a good way to get a glimpse of the guts of the building. A few doors down is the Walkie Talkie which I know you've already done a video on but it replaced 20 Fenchurch Lane which was not only the tallest building ever demolished in London but also had to be taken down from the bottom floor up leaving the top floors suspended from the core. Could be an interesting video.

[@davidyoung5114]

Another fantastic piece. Something we should never take for granite!

[@uwuvision3211]

every day i realise a little more just how obnoxious the walkie talkie building looks.

[@brunoleite3958]

Horrendous thing lol

[@AcornElectron]

Can literally hear the pet shop boys coming out of the walls. Keep up the good work fella and stay safe.

[@mr51406]

😅 Love the comment! Which song? “Opportunities?” Or “Flamboyant?” Or a urban/yuppie version of “Heart” (with its gothic horror video)? Anyway architects are always Absolutely Fabulous. 🎶

[@terrycostin7259]

I was working on that place at the time of the fire , got there in the morning to find our tool box a metal blob on the floor , about roughly the same time there was a fire that gutted the European Union Bank at Bishopsgate London.

[@CorvoFG]

It always reminded me of a building in Ghostbusters when I used to work near it.

[@mickavoidant4780]

Your videos are post-iconically modern.

[@petermartin4298]

When I saw the thumbnail I expected to see Batman. I smiled when you mentioned it.

[@chriszanf]

It was used in the live version of 101 Dalmatians with Glenn Close. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4HLq4aXqbiBh8U

[@ianthomson9363]

I've often wondered about this building- I found its name but nothing else. I quite like it, it's not just an upsized cornflakes box, and as you say, it reflects some of its surroundings. This is good architectural practice, though it seems to have been forgotten in many buildings of comparable age.

[@cjr6564]

Hi Jago, I work/worked (yes I know covid issues etc) in the building opposite Minster Court in Great Tower Street . It is a Telephone exchange When Minster Court had it's fire our air-conditioning systems sucked a lot of smoke and fumes into the building and we had to evacuate the building. All great fun! Plantation Place which is another new "Icon" which is the edifice on the opposite side of Mincing Lane replaced a far more interesting Building called Plantation House. It was blessed with a lovely arcade of shops which meant that if it was raining I could walk from Leadenhall Market which is covered across Fenchurch street and into Plantation Place, through the Arcade and onto Great Tower street and into the Telephone Exchange and only be mildly damp! Try doing that now and the "Security Guards shoo you out of any buildings.

[@baxtermarrison5361]

I misread the title and thought Postman Pat had gone all medieval.

[@megazenn22]

Stop, youre giving the anime people more ideas!

[@Djarra]

He did that after he got loose from the tree that time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipCxgn-qhrJqoJo

[@neilthehermit4655]

That would make a great short!

[@jimtaylor294]

@@megazenn22 *Mwahahahaha!* >crashing lightning:

[@Ellebeeby]

Morning all! Totally agree on the Batman-esque appearance, that really is quite distinctive!

[@iconicon5642]

That Death-Ray building is monsterously hideous or hideously monsterous, take your pick, that's one thing we learn from the as usual excellent piece above.

[@jobarliman1418]

On weekdays one side of this building was a short cut (Dunster court) from Great tower Steet and Mincing lane past the clothworkers hall and st Olaves hall to Fenchurch street station. Saved me from missing many a train home. But dont leave it too late as the gates are shut before the time of the last train from Fenchurch st. Always loved its Gothic style.

[@1963archer]

Ah yes , Fenchurch St Station. Woe betide anyone that didnt make it before they closed the gates 😀 Usually me , and i'd end up going home via Liverpool Street instead

[@ninepinezine]

The gothic style led to it being referred to as Munster Court by some wags.

[@exlibrex]

Yes I remember that!

[@vorpalteaspoon8904]

Had often wondered about it. When I visited the City it seemed to always be lurking on the horizon and not knowing its name I couldn't find out anything about it. Found it by accident Street View, then forgot where it was. And now I know - cheers!

[@garrywatters1140]

Modernist architecure just reminds me of East Berlin before the wall came down. Just functional enough to live in, just.

[@mebsrea]

East Berlin at least had the argument of poverty to explain away its grim and ugly architecture. People like the Smithsons were far worse - true believers in making the built environment as soulless and dehumanizing as possible.

[@Jsdo1980]

Well to be fair, brutalism (used as examples here) doesn't really represent all of modernism.

[@1882osr]

@@Jsdo1980 It's kind of interesting how modernism can be both shorthand for low end mass housing and also supercharged high rolling corporate offices. There can't be too many architectural movements that have become symbols for such apparent opposites.

[@bb32112]

It's great that your videos are a mix of tube stuff and pure architecture videos 👏🏻

[@rainyfeathers9148]

The building looks pretty alright, my eyes don't feel attacked🤣🤣🤣

[@1963TOMB]

One of my favorite buildings in London, in which I had the pleasure of working during its construction, is the Bloomberg building in Cannon Street. It was built around a Roman temple which had earlier been moved from elsewhere nearby due to a new building being erected. Mr Bloomberg apparently bought a quarry so he could source all of the stone cladding.

[@mike_maple]

Thanks Jago, I got a good view of this fascinating set of buildings from the roof gardens of 120 Fenchurch Street in 2019 - garden free to visit and very much recommended when possible again. Striking building from any view.

[@NaomiClareNL]

Now about that real gothic tower, the one at the end where you give us a tantalising glimpse of, you can't leave us hanging there Jago! #ABloodyForeignerWantsToKnow

[@donmazzia5856]

please. excellent humour. don't get a swelled head jago, you're on a par with montepython without the 'production value'. Then again, it's not for everyone.

[@elvirak.schuller9449]

I love this building! I think it’s beautiful! Thanks for highlighting it.

[@ernestbywater411]

BTW: You can't post moderns any more as the post office refuse to accept any moderns, so you now need to send them by a parcel service instead.

[@adamcrofts58]

what a stunning building and a brilliant commentary. Thank you

[@trentr9762]

used to go here every three weeks to a meet up group. always good fun and the inside plaza past the front gates is lovely, a very nice and homely building indeed

[@JamEngulfer]

A meet-up group eh? ;)

[@trentr9762]

@@JamEngulfer aye! Made a lot of friends there. Wont be going no more though as the guy running it turnt out to be a cactus of a bloke

[@JamEngulfer]

@@trentr9762 Ah damn, that's a shame. I didn't realise that.

[@trentr9762]

@@JamEngulfer hopefully he gets more active :3

[@davidbull7210]

Thanks for casting the Batman searchlight on this. I've always wondered about what this building was and when it was built. It's rather impressive.

[@HeatherTurner01]

I love this building! I've wondered what was up with this. It's very distinctive rooftop sticks out amongst all the large skyscrapers. I love looking at this on my breaks at work on the southside by Tower Bridge. Thanks for covering this!

[@stuartmilerosborne]

The Hoover Building in Perivale is a grand building that is often overlooked . The last time I was there I think part of it was a Tescos but I am told that it is now residential. To think that this truly ICONIC building nearly met the same fate as the Firestone building which was illegally demolished some years ago. Also both Perivale and Greenford tube stations are worth a look. I worked at Greenford station in the early 1970s and it is mysterious to say the least...but enough said .....thanks for a great video SMO

[@JagoHazzard]

I love the Hoover building! One of the finest examples of Art Deco in London IMO.

[@sensenlin3173]

Gosh I interviewed for my first ever full time job in that building!

[@sanchoodell6789]

Yes I remembered that being built. There was a handful of 'Post-Modern' buildings which went up around that time at the tail end of the 80s early 90s. Terry Farrell's 1 Embankment Place (1990), 125 London Wall (1992), The SIS/MI6Building (1994) and Bruce Graham's Broadgate/135 Bishopsgate (1992) being notable examples.

[@fistthemorturer2614]

i've been following and watching the content for a few months now.... just wanted to say... THANKS !!!!

[@JagoHazzard]

You’re very welcome!

[@thedumgamer2046]

The second floor of that building looks like the sorta thing you'd want to run next to and drag your hand along doesn't it

[@cakemartyr5794]

Interesting to know that Minchin means Nun. I live in Bristol, and in nearby Gloucestershire, there is Minchinhampton. In Bristol itself, we have Whiteladies Road which refers to nuns.

[@57bananaman]

Before some of the recent towers in the City were built Minster Court used to poke its head above the surrounding buildings looking like something out of one of Tolkein's fantasies. The view was particularly good from the other side of the Thames around Hays Galleria and I used to think it might be inhabited by elves or wizards. More recently it has become home to the largest Brewdog bar I've ever had the pleasure of being in and I can't help but think that with the help of a few pints of their Punk IPA I might finally get to encounter some of Tolkein's creations.

[@Sailfire1]

I worked on that building in 1990-91, installing curtain walling and window elements. There were a few deaths during its construction. The health and safety measures were not the best. I thought the red stone facing was Sicilian granite. The many angles on the facade meant a lot of adjustments and recutting stone to make things fit. The roof of building one was a great place to watch one of the most spectacular fly-pasts to commemorate the Battle of Britain 50th anniversary.

[@markeightfourone8693]

Nice to see a new building that is actually pleasing to the eye. A rarity these days

[@ChaosInTimeAndSpace]

So much of east Central/west Aldagte looks like this. Being so close to the Tower, pieces of the London wall, and lots of old churches, but also on the fringe of the business district, architecture seems to be trying to blend in with both the classic and modern buildings and thats how you end up with Lego castles like Minster Court

[@roberthill6216]

Mr. Hazard. Did you know that the former Euston tube station is to be demolished? It is on the corner of Melton and Drummond street. It has been unused as a station entrance since September 30th 1914. It's current use is for air conditioning the tube system. Apparently it is due for demolition at some point before July. It is being removed for HS2 upgrades. My source of information is the April edition of Rail Express magazine.

[@JagoHazzard]

Indeed! I got some footage of it the other day.

[@roberthill6216]

@@JagoHazzard Cool. Is it in an upcoming video? It will soon be lost forever.

[@Tsass0]

It looks a very nice structure, the façade is wonderful.

[@johnfairhurstReviews]

That actually looked quite nice for a change 😊

[@stevec00ps]

Worked in a few offices inside there, and MANY a time visited the pubs in the bottom of it :)

[@arthurnibble4763]

Bang on! I work two minutes from Minster Court and it's known in the locality as Gotham City.

[@richardpotter712]

Minster Court and Dunster Court next door still look pretty modern for a building put up in 1992. They were what I call the second generation buildings, going up after the WW2. There are not many first generation buildings left (1955-1975) and a few second generation (1975s-1995s) buildings have been replaced by third generation buildings (1995-2015) Minster Court having survived. Many buildings in The City have retained their original exteriors but their interiors have been completely replaced. The City of London Corporation buildings seen from Basinghall St, are a good example of First generation. Thanks Jago always very interesting and thought provoking.

[@51StPi]

Look at me! Aren't I fancy. Post modern also could be described as bargain basement pastiche, sort of reminds me when you could get a Polistil model car and it would have a pretty good resemblance which was like a replica, then there was Corgi which was a sort of knock off Quinlan Terry and then those free things you got in a cereal packet that barely resembled a car, they were post modern.

[@pmichael73]

I always liked the postmodern gothic Richmond House in Whitehall - soon to be the home of Parliament. It was originally built for the Department of Health.

[@beeble2003]

It always amused me that the Department of Health was in a building that looks like it's built from bundles of giant cigarettes.

[@ThomasTrue]

Another Grade A iconic video from the postmodern Jago Hazard.

[@Valisk]

I really like your architectural videos.

[@JagoHazzard]

Thanks!

[@mickd6942]

Worked on the security for that when Bovis were building it in the early nineties, when it was finished a team of toff security in red blazers that looked and sounded like they’d just left Eaton took over and within days it caught fire , we watched it from cannon bridge another Bovis build thankful that it had been handed over so it was someone else’s problem .

[@michellebell5092]

I used to work for a city insurance brokers in an office just over the road (Eastcheap) and often went in to Minster Court. A great and lovely looking building.

[@elizabethspedding1975]

Thank-you for telling me about this building, I think it's attractive.☺️

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Jago. I quite like this building. The bits I'm not so keen on are the large expanses of glass.

[@asheland_numismatics]

Awesome video as usual. 👍

[@tonyboloni64]

I used to affect A grade, post modern ennui, wore black head to toe and smoked French cigarettes. Finally I gave it up as all too too. Always look forward to your posts.

[@irkibby]

I'm really pleased you mentioned the tower of All Hallows. Such a contrast to its surroundings, and one of these reminders that the city is indeed ancient despite all the tall steel and glass. I also spotted St Olaves Hart St which is a remarkable church I've yet to look inside. I've been to a few events in the bar in the ground floor of the atrium of Minster Court, thanks to this I noticed it appear in the background for a split second during the video to Blurs Coffee And TV, at 2:45

[@happyundertaker6255]

That was the most charitable definition of postmodernism i ever heard! 👍

[@timsully8958]

This is on what I call my “quick break” route, which I utilise when I have time between trains to grab a coffee and a bite at Sainsbury’s and wander round to Trinity Gardens for some (relatively) fresh air before my next drive. It has of course been eerily quiet of late but despite the haughtiness and look-down-their-nose-at-you attitude of some of its unnecessarily-expensive-mainly-because-of-the-lining-as-I-think-it-makes-me-distinctive-suit wearing occupants towards me as I deign to walk past in my not-expensive-but-nonetheless-functional-and-surprisingly-well-tailored c2c TOC uniform, I actually rather like this cluster of structures. They are curiously organic and do at least look like they were designed by someone attempting something architecturally significant rather than the normal lumps that get thrown up that seem little more than an attention seeking attempt at controversy... And yes, I do mean that f***ing Walkie Talkie piece of ****. Of all the pustules that have swelled up from London’s surface in recent years, this is the one that I wish would burst most, preferably all over the architect, owner and people that deign it “quirky”. Just looks like someone sat on a saucepan and half buried it. Which in itself would be fine if that was what they meant to do. But they didn’t. So it isn’t even any good on that level either 🤷🏻‍♂️ Ooh I feel better for getting that one off my chest! Excellent video as ever sir!👍😎🍀🍻

[@wooble73]

Thank you for describing this building!! I’ve always wondered about this when I see it! 👍👍

[@footynutguy]

It looks like something the Vogons would build.

[@TheMastaSelecta]

Excellent! Thanks.

[@neilthehermit4655]

Nice one. I had forgotten about this 'post-modern' gem. I think the Gothic inspiration is what makes it noteworthy ( sorry them,noteworthy)! - Thanks once again for making a short amount of time both entertaining and educational,much harder than it looks to acheive.

[@stevesalvage1089]

Yes it sort of blends in well , bit untidy ? It all had to be placed in its surroundings so I think they did a good job , could have been a lot worse , thanks for the film jago !!

[@clearlake3492]

I love this building.

[@mrgreenfingaz1]

I worked in the building in 03 b4 the refurbishment, it was called the London underwriting centre then

[@mrgreenfingaz1]

Also at that time the building next door was just going up....

[@dixoid2678]

I work next to this building. It's what I look at every day at my 9-5. I loathe every inch of it!

[@robertjane2053]

Another iconic Jago vid!

[@lefuedebout]

Was enjoying this informative video so much that I sat back in my chair, the more to relish it and suddenly it ended! 😞

[@peterrivet648]

Thank you for an interesting video. I've never (consciously) seen this building but I quite like like the appearance of it. When I am once again allowed to visit London, I would like to go and have a look.

[@paulflatt3803]

Always eager to see Mr Hazzard's comments on buildings with frilly bits.

[@R00365]

We always called it the Gotham building! my fav modern building in London.

[@hx0d]

Always wondered the history of this one having walked past it countless times. Nice and informative as always

[@chazzyb8660]

Thanks Jago. I learnt a bit more about what I had always considered the ugliest big new building (too) close to the Tower. Partly its sheer bulk, and also its unfortunate colour. That was of course until they inflicted the nearby walkie-talkie on us. And don't even get me started on the series of horrible sub-towers and other excrescences built upstream of the 'iconic' MI6 (or is it MI5?) building. It's probably the sheer size of all these new buildings and their disregard for their neighbours (stealing daylight anyone) that is most offensive, and their destruction of views of the river which were opening up so well along the river walkways until the late 90s, probably. Aliens, one might think of them as, Newt.

[@teggyegg]

ive never given it a second look or heard anyone speak about it or know its name. this video has now made me somewhat appreciate it though.

[@davidw1518]

Wasn't it nicknamed the Lego Building when it was first opened? I'm glad to read from other comments that it's still the home of the LUC (London Underwriting Centre) - I visited it a few times as a client (more accurately, the employee of a client) of some of the underwriters.

[@eddie5871]

Thanks for the vid Jago. I work in this building!

[@johncrwarner]

Postmodernism = modernist building + some colourful cladding

[@Andrewjg_89]

The most evil looking building in London. But is it really that evil.

[@davidrees2040]

Hi Jago, have you ever considered doing a video about the Liberty of Norton Folgate? I don't know a great deal about it beyond the Wiki page, but I love the Madness song about it! It seems like the sort of thing us history buffs would enjoy from your good self.

[@JagoHazzard]

There is one on Patreon, but I’m planning a remake for the main channel. I’ve also been planning one on the Liberty of the Clink.

[@teecefamilykent]

Awesome video sir, btw that brewdog is awesome.

[@peterdavy6110]

I think the name comes from the Minster Trust Insurance Company who built it and whose offices were in the building.

[@SeventhSwell]

I wonder if it looked better before they built the giant death laser behind it.

[@GrahamBridgemanClarke01]

Always thought that’s building was like Batmans Gotham City.

[@CyclingSteve]

Actually that was 1 Ropemaker Street.

[@GrahamBridgemanClarke01]

@@CyclingSteve Isn't that the building they use at the stater of IT Crowd.

[@PeterGaunt]

I've really rather liked this building since it was first built. I'd even go so far as to describe it as gorgeous.

[@sirrliv]

Any chance you could do a similar video to this on Portcullis House in Westminster, right across the street from Big Ben? I've been curious about that building for years; apparently they do something very important in there (not sure who "they" are either), but it seems a weirdly austere building with roof lines and chimneys reminiscent of a factory or a steamship. Yet it doesn't often seem to be called out as an eyesore when talking about the beauty of the area, including the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. So, basically, what's the deal with that weird building with all the smokestacks?

[@richardpotter712]

It`s an extension to the Palace of Westmister and has it`s own entrance from Westminster tube, where MPs can walk under the road to the HOC.

[@JagoHazzard]

If I can do it without getting stopped by the police, then certainly!

[@Sckadoo]

People don't build things with pointy roofs anymore. We need more pointy roofs on our skyscrapers.

[@eattherich9215]

Indeed, we do. I love a good pointy roof.