Homes and Property

City Hall opens up

City Hall joins hundreds of buildings in 2010’s Open House, reports Philippa Stockley
Spiral ramp inside City Hall
© Cavan Pawson
The spectacular spiral ramp inside City Hall
You can see some of Mayor Boris Johnson’s more private parts next month when City Hall joins the 2010 Open House event from September 18-19.

The building — dubbed the capital’s “glass b*****k” by the Mayor’s predecessor Ken Livingstone — will be open to the public who will get special access to the ninth floor, known more affectionately as “London’s Living Room”.

With 29 private homes on show across the capital, and hundreds of other buildings you might never otherwise be allowed to enter, organisers promise something for everyone at this year’s celebration of architectural design, now in its 18th year.

The leading theme this year is the green conversions of Victorian houses. Get the full programme by post for £6.50 (or £3 for a downloadable pdf) by visiting open-city.org.uk; but note that many participating buildings must be booked ahead.



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