Lime Street 360 by City of London photographer, Will Pearson. This still from the 360 shows the view at the base of some of the City's most iconic buildings.

Lime Street

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City of London Photographer

Capturing a city in transition

As a City of London photographer, I’ve spent many years documenting the Square Mile as it changes. This Lime Street 360 was captured at 1 Lime Street, EC3, in the heart of the insurance district. It records a view that has already shifted. It was the last time I saw St Helen’s (the black1970s tower by Leadenhall) before demolition began in early 2025 to make way for 1 Undershaft. The 360 stands as a clear record of that moment.

Buildings within the frame

From this position you can explore a dense cluster of the City of London’s landmark buildings. The Lloyd’s Building sits close by with its exposed services, alongside the Willis Building at 51 Lime Street. To the north and west are The Leadenhall Building (The Cheesegrater), The Scalpel (52 Lime Street) and 22 Bishopsgate. Through the glass of the Scalpel, St Andrew Undershaft flies the flag for the old City of London. St Helen’s (the Aviva Tower) is prominent here, a link between post-war modernism and the post-millennium glass towers.

Reflections, sightlines and small details

One reason I return to Lime Street is the way reflections and sightlines change as the light moves. The Scalpel produces some wild reflections in the right conditions, throwing the neighbouring towers across its faceted façade. The bell tower of St Helen’s church in Bishopsgate just peeps through to the right of the Leadenhall. Small details like that are easy to miss at street level, but a 360 makes them obvious.

A name with history

Lime Street has nothing to do with the citrus fruit! It apparently takes its name from the medieval lime merchants and burners who supplied mortar for London’s building work. Centuries later the street became the focus of the global insurance market. The mix of history, trade and contemporary architecture makes it a compelling subject for a City of London photographer!

Recording the City in 360

This interactive 360 image is built from multiple frames, shot from a fixed nodal point and stitched to create a seamless, high-resolution sphere. The intention is straightforward. Stand virtually in the middle of Lime Street, look in every direction, and understand how the City’s forms relate in real space.

Below are links to pages with images featuring specific buildings:

City of London Photographer Will Pearson shot this Lime Street 360 at the foot of the Scalpel, the Lloyds Building and the Willis Building
Still image taken from the Lime Street 360

Page last updated: November 2025