On Tuesday 23 September we will visit the pedestrianised area outside Liverpool Street Station. This is currently a mix of interesting Victorian buildings and state-of-the-latest-style modern offices. Certain views of the station frontage have appealed to this editor as a curious mix of Victorian Renaissance styles.
Unfortunately some of the Victoriana is not as Victorian as it might be, and Network Rail has applied for planning permission to pull down the two towers and the building alongside them in the photo, and cover the original station with an enormous office block, and make new cathedral-like entrances, etc., The station itself is currently over-crowded, and in order to pay for the new escalators., etc etc., the new offices have to be built on top, so say Network Rail, there being no government money. You can read about the proposed new build here:
It is not clear whether the project will be approved, but now seems to be the time to go and sketch the plaza before the place is demolished. There are also some sculptures by Japanese artist Yagoi Kusama a little way down Liverpool Street, which look like silver bubbles on stems, which we might also like to sketch, this area is also pedestrianised, with an office overhang which would be useful if it rains. This location is another opportunity to draw people both moving and static.
We will meet under the canopy between the two towers at 11 o'clock. There are loos in the station, and various cafes, or we can bring sandwiches. There are various blocks of concrete to sit on scattered around, but as always, it is best to bring a sketching stool.
Sue's phone number for the day is 07975 864 142.
