London’s Westminster Abbey, one of the UK’s most visited tourist attractions, is undergoing work on a new museum, marking the first addition to the visitor experience at the historic site since 1745. The £23m (US$32m, €26m) museum, named the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries, will be located inside the triforium – a loft-like space above the arches of the nave of a church – some 70ft (21m) above the Abbey's floor.

A new pay-as-you-go lifestyle gym for boutique operator Core Collective looks set to be built in London’s St John’s Wood, with Westminster City Council giving the project the go ahead. Waind Gohil + Potter Architects (WG+P), who specialise in wellbeing and leisure design, have created the concept – described as “a relaxed, luxury environment and where people want to hangout, not just workout.” The gym will feature contemporary design features,

Renzo Piano’s controversial ‘Paddington Cube’ development in London looks set to go ahead, with the British communities secretary Sajid Javid deciding not to block the mixed-use scheme. The £775m (US$958.3m, €892m) project has already won the backing of the local Westminster City Council, but Javid blocked their decision last month while he reviewed Piano’s plans, which have been strongly criticised by local heritage groups. However, it is now reported he

Planning permission has been granted for London's controversial ‘Paddington Cube’ development designed by architect Renzo Piano. Westminster City Council’s Planning Application Committee approved the 14-storey project on 31 London Street earlier this week, despite complaints from campaigners and heritage groups that it will have a negative impact on the capital’s skyline. The £775m (US$978.3m, €917.5m) cubic building will replace the former Royal Mail sorting office next to Paddington Station. In

by Katie Buckley | 03 Dec 2014

Thomas Heatherwick and Joanna Lumley’s controversial Garden Bridge over London’s River Thames has won planning permission from Westminster Council. Planning permission for the £175m (US$294m, €216m) bridge was granted yesterday (2 December) at Westminster City Hall in a packed meeting attended by more than 120 people. The Garden Bridge plan will connect the South Bank and Temple areas of London. Westminster Council is the second body to grant planning permission