Along with the Pompidou Centre, Paris, many regard this as architect Richard Rogers' finest work. A spectacular building that, described as an oil refinery when it opened in 1986, has become a popular addition to the City streetscape. Soon to become a Grade I-listed monument, its central atrium is unique within London architecture.
The Lloyd's Building is the home of the insurance institution Lloyd's of London, and is located at One Lime Street, in the City.

It was built between 1978 and 1986. Like the Pompidou Centre, the building was innovative in having its services such as staircases, lifts, electrical power conduits and water pipes on the outside, leaving an uncluttered space inside. The twelve glass lifts were the first of their kind in the UK.

The building consists of three main towers and three service towers around a central, rectangular space. Its focal point is the large Underwriting Room on the ground floor, which houses the famous Lutine Bell.

The Underwriting Room (often simply known as 'the Room') is overlooked by galleries, forming a 60 metres (197 ft) high atrium lit naturally through a huge barrel-vaulted glass roof. The first four galleries open onto the atrium space, and are connected by escalators through the middle of the structure. The higher floors are glassed-in, and can only be reached via the outside lifts.

Lloyd's Building, Leadenhall Street, London EC3M 7JJ

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