Westfield

White City portrait

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White City in west London is not the most glamorous or sought-after address, but it plays a huge role in my life as part of the neighbourhood.

The area began life as an exhibition mecca in the early 20th century, and was the venue for the 1908 Olympics. More than a century later, times have changed. Its era as the hub of BBC Television and news has been and gone. But the relatively new Westfield shopping complex has transformed White City.

It’s a place where people live and work. Enjoy this series of snapshots from an urban slice of west London.

Click first image for the full gallery experience
The White City housing estate under a wintry blanket
The Westfield shopping complex brings architectural modernity to White City
Boris bikes have found their way this far west
The former BBC Television Centre is an iconic White City landmark
Wood Lane Tube station opened in 2008
Westfield began trading in 2008
Hammersmith Park is an oasis of green in White City
The park was blanketed in snow this winter
The Ugli office block lives up to its name
Outdoor escalators help shoppers to clamber up to Westfield
The BBC formally exited the Television Centre buildings on 31 March
This urban area is rich in street furniture

Early morning mall

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Shopping malls are, by design, buildings running alive with people and activity. If you want the place to yourself, it’s best to turn up early when the doors are open but the retail outlets are still closed.

This is what I did with Westfield London, literally a stone’s throw away from my home in west London. The few figures I found were en route to work. It was the time to enjoy the vast acres of polished floors, glasshouse-style roof and appreciate the reflective, glinting materials that make up the building.

And for once in this place, there was no-one to disturb me.

Click first image to launch the gallery

Visit Department Store for photographs of a famous London shop

Marble walkers

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Marble walkers

This photograph is taken in Westfield, the glistening retail place here in west London. But this isn’t a typical scene. It’s very quiet, with just three figures going about their business.

And that isn’t shopping as it’s early in the morning. They are heading to work in some of the many shops, or perhaps using it as a quick route to another place. It is a shot of reflections and closed doors. But that doesn’t last long in this place…

Red, white and blue

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The UK is gearing up to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next weekend, which will involve processions, river pageants and street parties over a two-day public holiday.

My local shopping mall is already in the mood, with Union Jack flags festooning a vast outdoor thoroughfare. It’s usually on big Royal occasions that the flag flutters everywhere. The shot above also reveals the diversity of the neighbourhood and city, living underneath such a traditional emblem.

The shopping complex is also quite new and shiny with modernistic architecture. Seeing it so brightly decorated caused me to stop, take some photographs and think about the sense of celebration under the summer sun which is finally with us.

I wonder just how many times red, white and blue will feature in photographs over the coming week?…

See also: Jubilee Thames