Anish Kapoor

Two years ago the eyes of the world were on London for the Olympic Games. A neglected area of the city was redeveloped to host the event, which was deemed a huge success.

After the action has finished, it’s easy for facilities to fall into disuse. There’s little sign of that in London. The area has been turned into a playground for the city, with beautifully sculpted walkways where everyone is free to roam.

It has great architectural interest with the amazing curves of the Aquatic Centre, designed by Britain’s high priestess of building design, Zaha Hadid. It sits near Orbit, a thrusting artistic twist of metal created by Anish Kapoor. And the athletes’ village has been turned over to private residential use.

This is a place that visitors want to explore, long after the buzz of Olympic competition left the arena. Here’s a portrait of the park captured one afternoon in both its might, detail and as a people’s place.

Click first image for the full gallery experience

This structure rises above a corner of east London, with the Olympic Stadium in the near distance.

In fact, you’d think that the Strand East Tower is jockeying for position with Anish Kapoor’s ArcelorMittal Orbit, which stands outside the stadium, a complicated squiggle of metal.

With its lattice of larch wood and steel supports, this tower is far more elegant and pleasing on the eye, with its handsome curves and upward sweep.

I’d never noticed the tower before, but it’s now become a landmark on my journeys to the eastern parts of the city and beyond.