The City Area Guide

The City, London’s main financial district, also known as the Square Mile, is increasingly becoming a place to live as well as to work. At an estimated 10,000 the number of residents is still dwarfed by the number of workers (thought to be about a million) but this is steadily increasing, and current planning guidelines re-quire 146 new homes per year.

Most homes in the City lie in areas around the periphery, mostly in the north and west between the Barbi-can and Moorgate, but increasingly in the west around Blackfriars and towards Chancery Lane, and in the east around Aldgate and Tower Hill. Almost all new homes are prime properties in new high rise mixed use apartment blocks, such as The Heron and One Bishopsgate Plaza, and many are luxurious penthouses on the upper floors with stunning views and comprehensive concierge services.

The largest residential development in the City is the Grade II listed Barbican Estate, a prime example of bru-talist architecture. Apartments here are perennially popular, commanding premium prices, especially from design aficionados who appreciate the uncompromising architecture and on-site arts centre.

Most places in central London are within walking distance of the City. With 13 tube and train stations and three bridges across the River Thames it offers easy access to elsewhere in London and its suburbs. Liver-pool Street station is a major transport hub; it is on the Overground and five tube lines in addition to offering frequent services to Stansted Airport, Cambridge and other key locations in the east of England. Along with Farringdon it will form part of the new Crossrail network.