City prepares for Open London 2012 this weekend

Wednesday, September 19, 2012
12:33 PM

More than 750 buildings in the capital are preparing to open their doors for an architectural weekend.

Emirates cable cars

Open House London 2012, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, will include London landmarks like the Gherkin, Heron Tower and Emirates Airline cable car as well as hundreds of private homes and studios.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event, set up to celebrate the spaces in which we live.

Open City director Victoria Thornton said she was very excited about the 48-hour showcase.

She added: “Open House is a unique annual event, offering people across London the chance to explore and learn about the changing face of the capital’s architecture.”

Haggerston Estate, pic by Rowan Griffiths

It emerged today that Croydon is the only London borough not to take part in the event, saying the £4,000 cost was “not a priority”.

Open House organisers said they have received a number of calls from disappointed residents, but a council spokesman said most attractions were open anyway.

Across the city more than 100 private homes and housing developments will be open to the public, as will a number of embassies. A moonlit walk on Friday (September 21) has also been organised to raise money for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.

For more information visit www.londonopenhouse.org.