Tower 42

Tower 42 is a high-rise office building in the City of London, originally built as the headquarters for NatWest. It stands at about 183 metres with around 47 floors and was completed at the end of the 1970s to early 1980s.

The building is primarily an office tower with some hospitality spaces rather than a tourist attraction; visitors will mainly encounter shops, offices and a limited number of bars and restaurants. Its position in the financial district makes it easy to view and photograph from surrounding streets and nearby public spaces such as Leadenhall Market and Liverpool Street.

Designed by the architect Richard Seifert and developed as NatWest’s headquarters, the tower opened around 1980 and remained one of the tallest UK buildings for a decade. The structure has been adapted internally for modern offices and mixed commercial use while retaining its original external profile.

Tower 42 sits in the heart of the City of London, close to Liverpool Street station and the eastern end of the Bank of England area. It is within easy walking distance of several major transport hubs in central London.

• Historic name and status: Referred to historically as the NatWest Tower, it was the tallest building in the UK on completion and remains a distinctive element of the City of London skyline.
• Access note: Public access is limited because the building is primarily offices; a small number of bars, restaurants and private event spaces occupy upper levels rather than a permanent public observation deck.