Designed by renowned architect Richard Rogers and developed by British Land and Oxford Properties, The Cheesegrater opened its doors in July 2014. Its distinctive form was carefully conceived to minimise the impact on the protected view of St Paul's Cathedral, a crucial consideration in the City's planning regulations. The building's glass façade, with its prominent steel bracing, contributes to its dramatic appearance.
DIRECTORY
The Cheesegrater
The Leadenhall Building, affectionately known as The Cheesegrater, is a striking addition to the London skyline. This wedge-shaped skyscraper, standing at 225 metres tall, has become a recognisable symbol of the City of London's modern architecture. The nickname was coined by Peter Rees, the City of London Corporation's former Chief Planning Officer, who observed a model of the building and quipped that it resembled a cheese grater.
Unlike many skyscrapers that rely on concrete cores for structural integrity, The Cheesegrater employs a steel frame, making it a unique and technically advanced building. This innovative approach is evident in the building's transparent lifts, which are a prominent feature of its flat side. A spacious, 30-metre-high public atrium welcomes visitors to the building's base.
The Leadenhall Building is primarily an office building and is not generally open to the public. However, there are exceptions. The building houses restaurants and bars that are open to the public, offering stunning views of London.
During the annual Open House London event, you may have the opportunity to tour the building. It's worth checking the building's website or information about Open House London for the most up-to-date details.
Address and Contact Details
Address: Leadenhall Building, 122 Leadenhall Street, London, EC3V 4QT
Telephone: 020 7747 2885
Email (General Enquiries): Send email
Website: The Leadenhall Building (opens in new window' rel='nofollow' target='_blank'>.
Travel Connections
The Leadenhall Building, affectionately known as "The Cheesegrater," is prominently located in the heart of the City of London's financial district.
Underground (Tube)
- Bank Station (Central, Northern, Waterloo & City lines, DLR): Approximately a 4-5 minute walk. This is a major transport hub with extensive connections.
- Monument Station (District and Circle lines): Approximately a 4-5 minute walk.
- Fenchurch Street Station (National Rail): Approximately a 3-5 minute walk.
- Aldgate Station (Metropolitan and Circle lines): Approximately an 8-10 minute walk.
- Liverpool Street Station (Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines, Elizabeth line, Overground): Approximately a 10-12 minute walk.
Train
- Fenchurch Street Station: Approximately a 3-5 minute walk.
- Cannon Street Station: Approximately a 7-10 minute walk.
- Liverpool Street Station: Approximately a 10-12 minute walk.
Bus
Numerous bus routes serve the area around The Leadenhall Building. Key bus stops include:
- Gracechurch Street / Monument Station (Stops L, P): Buses 35, 47, 149, 344, 388, N133.
- Wormwood Street (Stop P): Buses 21, 43, 100, 141, 344, N133.
- Duke's Place (Stop A): Buses 42, 78, 100, 135, 205, N205, N551.
- Camomile Street (Stop W/Y): Buses 8, 21, 26, 35, 43, 47, 141, 149, 344, 388, N8, N26, N133, N242, N551.
- St Mary Axe (Stop Z): Buses 25, N25, N550.
River Boat
- London Bridge City Pier: Approximately a 10-12 minute walk (crossing London Bridge). Services run by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
- Tower Pier: Approximately a 15-20 minute walk. Services run by Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
Car
- The Leadenhall Building is located within the City of London, where driving and parking are heavily restricted. There are no public car parking facilities directly at the building.
- Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transport. The building is within the Congestion Charge zone and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
Cycling
- Santander Cycles docking stations are available nearby on Cornhill, Leadenhall Street, and Fenchurch Street.
- Secure bicycle parking is available on basement level 1 for building tenants, and public bike racks may be found nearby.
Facilities
- Public Space: The building features a large, covered public space at its base, known as the Galleria, which is open to the public and hosts a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- Shops, Cafes & Restaurants: A range of dining and retail options are available within the Galleria and surrounding areas. These include Black Sheep Coffee, Bob Bob Ricard City, and other eateries.
- Event Space: Landing Forty Two, a dedicated event space, is located on the 42nd floor, offering panoramic views of London.
- Toilets: Visitor toilets are available on Level 2, to the right of the main reception desk.
- End-of-Journey Facilities: For building tenants, secure bicycle and motorbike parking, along with showers and changing facilities, are available.
Access
- The public Galleria at the base of The Leadenhall Building offers step-free access.
- The main entrance features escalators and also lifts for accessibility from the public route via Undershaft.
- Inside, the building features state-of-the-art lifts, including dedicated firefighting lifts that provide access between the basement and reception levels for less able-bodied visitors or those using the basement parking.
- The internal areas of the building, beyond the public Galleria, are primarily office space and access is generally restricted to tenants and their pre-booked visitors.
- Assistance dogs are welcome.
Entry Fees
Entry to The Leadenhall Building's public Galleria and ground-floor areas is free of charge. There are no general admission fees to enter the building or its common areas.
- If you are visiting a business located within the building, there is no entry fee.
- Events held at Landing Forty Two on Level 42 may have their own ticketed entry fees, depending on the event.
Opening Times
The public Galleria at the base of The Leadenhall Building is generally open during normal business hours for the shops, cafes, and restaurants it houses.
- Street Food Market: A popular lunchtime Street Food Market operates underneath The Leadenhall Building every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
- The building itself, as a commercial office space, operates 24/7 for tenants with access passes, but public access is limited to the ground-floor retail and public spaces during their operating hours.
- Individual business hours within the building may vary.
Articles
City Skyscrapers: An exploration of the major tall buildings in the City of London (Financial District).
Other Places of Interest Within 15 Minute's Walk
Lloyd's of London (1 minute): An iconic and architecturally significant building, the home of the world's leading insurance market, designed by Richard Rogers. While internal access is limited, its exterior is a striking sight.
Leadenhall Market (2 minutes): A beautiful, ornate Victorian covered market with stunning architecture, known for its selection of shops, pubs, and restaurants, and famously used as a filming location for Harry Potter.
The Royal Exchange (3-4 minutes): A magnificent historic building with high-end boutiques, bars, and restaurants, originally established as a centre for mercantile exchange.
Bank of England Museum (5 minutes): Learn about the history of the Bank of England and the UK economy through interactive displays and exhibits. Entry is free.
Sky Garden (5-7 minutes): London's highest public garden, offering panoramic views of the city from its lush landscaped spaces, restaurants, and bars. Free to visit but booking well in advance is essential.
The Monument (7-9 minutes): A towering column commemorating the Great Fire of London, offering a fantastic viewing platform at the top after climbing its spiral staircase.
Tower of London (10-12 minutes): A historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames, famous for its history as a royal palace, fortress, prison, and home of the Crown Jewels.
Tower Bridge (12-14 minutes): An iconic London landmark, this Victorian-era bascule and suspension bridge offers a museum experience inside its towers, including glass walkways and engine rooms.
St. Paul's Cathedral (14-15 minutes): A masterpiece of English Baroque architecture, with a stunning dome offering panoramic views of London, and rich historical significance.
