Tower 42 Building

Address: Tower 42, Old Broad Street area, City of London, UK

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.

Tower 42 is in the City of London at Old Broad Street (near Bishopsgate). The closest Underground connections are Bank and Liverpool Street stations - both are a short (about 2-5 minute) walk. Numerous London Buses and main city roads (including Bishopsgate/Old Broad Street) provide direct vehicle access.

• Use Bank or Liverpool Street stations for the most convenient Tube/rail access - Tower 42 sits in the City's financial district and is a short walk from both stations.
• Avoid weekday rush hours if you're visiting the top-floor bar or restaurant for skyline views; evenings and weekends give clearer, less crowded opportunities to take in the panorama.
• If you want the viewing experience, reserve a table at the building's public bar/restaurant in advance - there is no general public observation deck, so rooftop views are usually accessed via hospitality bookings.