London, a metamorphosis of varied cultures and vibrancies occupies a dominant economic position in the United Kingdom. The area of 700 square miles of City of London had a rather humble beginning as a walled military storage depot, measuring nearly One Square Mile, built by Romans during their Britain invasion in AD 43. Suitably chosen as the trading centre, the Londinium (the City of London) rapidly expanded to become a major commercial hub, also replacing Colchester as the capital of Roman Britain in the beginning of the 2nd Century. Though the walls later vanished, the area is still one of the most prominent trade centres of the world and now carries multiple international businesses and banks and is still referred to “The Square Mile”.
For centuries, London has had a fare share of ups and downs but it consistently fought against the odds and now stands strongly as the epicentre of world economic activities even surpassing the New York City, United States of America. The significant development of the City of London took place during the 18th Century that reflected a rapid population growth and early stirrings of the Industrial Revolution. The city grew beyond the great walls mostly towards the West End and Westminster during these times. It was in 1708 when St. Paul’s Cathedral was established and replaced the original St. Paul’s, which was devastated in the Great Fire of London.
During the course of the 19th Century, the expansion intensified and London grew in all directions including to the East the Port of London. Strong pillars of better infrastructure were established with the arrival of railways and Tube service which meant London could grow faster. The population of the city continued to expand and by the mid of 19th Century it had become a small metropolis, comprising varied cultures in it. Over an array of endless debacles the City of London survived and does so even today. In the 19th Century and most times of the 20th Century, the people moved towards the outskirts of London and housed in its vast suburbs. As a result, the residential colonies were demolished to make way for modern office blocks. The city turned into a significant office space city, residing multiple offices and trade centres. The true element of office space city turned out post World War II when many devastated areas of London were reconstructed to include new office buildings and large scale work spaces. However, the regions which were not so badly affected by the heavy aerial bombing still maintain that old-age charm and medieval street pattern.
In the year 1970, Natwest Tower in London became UK’s first skyscraper. Thereafter office space development intensified to include commercial property EC1, which is perhaps the largest of the 6 central postcodes in London, featuring Clerkenwell from west to Finsbury in the North. Commercial property EC1 roughly covers the entire north western corner of the City of London. London resides 5 airports: Heathrow, Gatwick, City, Luton and Stansted. Heathrow is the biggest one and international flights commute from here or from Gatwick airport.
