In fact, it is rare to leave the house without encountering some recently completed projects.
Last friday, I went to visit a new site near Holborn and on my way there I spotted, at least, four large buildings I had either not seen before or had only seen covered with a scaffolding. I also noticed very good progress in a handful I have been following.
During my cycle to the zoo, the same happened... Even the giraffes' home is under construction!
I have also noticed quite a few buildings being demolished which given the recent changes to PD rights surprised me.
In Kentish town, for example, a large building which had laid empty for quite a few years (and which, from the outside at least, seemed suitable to be converted through retrofitting) Is now gone as have many others.
As the city hopes to receive tourists this summer, I can't but wonder what they will find when they arrive.
Firstly, the many empty commercial units where businesses have closed down.
Then, those who remain open, are likely to have diversified (thanks to the implementation of temporary PD rights which allow doing so in the period leading to the unification of commercial classes later in the year).
They will also find plenty of outdoor sitting (as this will enable many businesses to open from April).
And of course, many areas with completely different physiognomy due to both, new and lost buildings and the many measures introduced to adapt our transport infrastructure.
All and all, London should feel very different... I just hope that it feels welcoming enough for visitors and resilient enough for the rest of us to rebuild a version of the city that will be less polluted and better balanced than it was.
