Category: Uncategorized

Old Broad Street, London

A view down Old Broad Street in 1960. With the entrance to Liverpool Street tube station on the left-hand side and the main Liverpool Street station behind the photographer, Old Broad Street was a very busy road. It even needed a policeman to control the traffic. Credit: The London Picture Archive
A quieter Old Broad Street in July 2020. It is now a one-way road and the Crossrail construction is underway just to the right of the photograph. Photo: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Trafalgar Square, London

A traffic jam on an approach road to Trafalgar Square – photographed in 1976 by David Rostance. The National Gallery is in the centre of the photograph and Canada House is to the right. Credit: David Rostance
The National Gallery extension can be seen on the left and the traffic is calmer by January 2017. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Neuer Markt, Vienna

Taken in the 1930s, this is a photograph of the Donnerbrunnen in Central Vienna. It is a Baroque fountain which was built around 1737 and presented in 1739 on the ‘nameday’ of Emperor Karl VI. Later, during the reign of Empress Maria Theresia, the figures on the fountain were considered to be inappropriate for public display. Therefore, they were removed in 1773. The sculptures were meant to be melted down. However, the artist Johann Martin Fischer recognised the quality of the work and renovated the sculptures instead. The figures were restored to their original positions in 1801. These Donnerbrunnen figures are not the originals. They can now be found in the Belvedere museum. This version (made of bronze) was installed in 1873. Credit: Photographer unknown
This photograph (taken in January 2017) shows the fountain prior to a huge renovation project. I believe that the intention is to make Neuer Markt a pedestrian-only zone by 2022. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)


Cheapside, London

An image of Cheapside taken in 1910 shows the statue of Robert Peel still in situ (see my previous blog posts on ‘Cheapside’). Virtually all of the buildings (with the exception of the church) have disappeared between then, and the modern photograph. This was as a result of WWII bombing, and redevelopment in the post-war period. Credit: Photographer unknown
The same view in January 2020 shows the extent of the development in this area. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Charing Cross Road, London

Looking north from Charing Cross Road to the junction with Oxford Street. Tottenham Court Road is past the junction. The Astoria Theatre can be seen on the left, and the Dominion Theatre on the right. Please also note the building in the centre-left of the photograph (with the dome). This photograph was taken in 1930. Credit: Getty Images
By December 2017, the view has almost completely changed. The Astoria Theatre has disappeared to make way for the Crossrail project and the redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road tube station. The building with the dome (see above photograph) is still there, but the dome has been removed. The only intact building from the 1930 photograph is the Dominion Theatre. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Dean’s Yard, London

This photograph was taken in Dean’s Yard, Westminster in 1910. Dean’s Yard is comprised of the remaining parts of the monastery (or abbey) at Westminster. It is a large quadrangle which is gated and closed to traffic. There is a grassed area in the centre which is for the exclusive use of the pupils of Westminster School.
Credit: Photographer unknown
Still a quiet and peaceful area in January 2017. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)

Bank, London

Taken by Robert Frank in 1951, this photograph was taken in the Bank area of London. The Bank of England is behind the photographer, Royal Exchange building is to the left, and Mansion House is to the photographer’s right. At the centre of the shot is an equestrian statue of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington. The statue commemorates the help that Wellington gave to the City of London when London Bridge was rebuilt.
The statue was unveiled in June 18th 1844 and Wellington himself attended the ceremony.
A brass plaque on the base of the plinth reads:
‘On 19th July 1838 the Court of Common Council of the City of London agreed to a contribution of £500 toward the cost of the above statue of the Duke of Wellington in appreciation of his efforts in assisting the passage of the London Bridge Approaches Act 1827. This Act led to the creation of King William Street. The government donated the metal, which is bronze from captured enemy cannon melted down after the Battle of Waterloo, and valued at the time at £1500. The total cost of the statue was £9000. The remainder being raised by public subscription.’
Credit: Robert Frank (1951)
A less foggy day in January 2020 when I took this comparison photograph. Photograph: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)