London is globally recognised for its bespoke mixture of Tudor, Elizabethan, Georgian, and Victorian architecture. But just like anything else, trends in architecture are evolving albeit slower than other industries. Bricks and mortar seem to be a thing of the past; glass is taking over! Now don’t get me wrong, I for one love the combination of traditional and modern architecture as it makes for an interesting city. That said however, when a beautiful classic construction, that of which’s design transports you through time, gets torn down to build a contemporary glass structure resembling the office blocks in Canary Wharf, in a road flaunting classic buildings, one wonders what developers are thinking. What will London eventually look like? Will this historic city lose its distinct character that has helped make it what it is today? 

As a child I remember waking up to the sound of the Kings Troop Royal Horses strutting down from St John’s Wood, making me dash to the window to catch a glimpse (a sudden sense of nostalgia when I think back). So I’m deeply saddened to hear the news that the St John’s Wood Barracks is moving to Woolwich, Greenwich to make way for yet another prime residential development. The 5.5 acre land situated in Ordnance Hill, NW8, was reportedly purchased for £250 million and has planning permission to build 133 homes on site. 

                             Here’s my final salute to the SJW Barracks ... Here’s to the end of an era!