1 Parliament Street, London

1 Parliament Street on Google Street View

(Jul 2024)

Standing at the corner of Bridge Street and Parliament Street, directly opposite the Palace of Westminster, 1 Parliament Street (GPS: 51.50134, -0.12577) is one of those buildings that many visitors pass - or even stand in front of - without realizing its importance. Its classic stone façade often becomes part of the background as tourists gather to photograph Big Ben or the Elizabeth Tower, but the building itself is both historically and functionally significant to the operation of UK Parliament.

1 Parliament Street is on the Map of the City of Westminster

Where is 1 Parliament Street

1 Parliament Street occupies a prime corner position in Westminster, just across the street from the Palace of Westminster and next door to the modern Portcullis House. If you're walking west across Westminster Bridge, it's the stone building immediately on your left as you enter Parliament Street from Bridge Street.

Nearest Underground Station: Westminster (Jubilee, District, and Circle lines)
Address: 1 Parliament Street, London SW1A 2NE

A Building with Political Purpose

Today, 1 Parliament Street is an integral part of the UK Parliament estate, used as office space for Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff. It houses committee rooms, support services, and various administrative functions essential to the day-to-day workings of Parliament. Although it doesn't have the grandeur of the Palace of Westminster or the modern flair of Portcullis House, it plays a behind-the-scenes yet vital role in the machinery of government. Internally, 1 Parliament Street is connected to both Portcullis House and the Palace of Westminster, allowing MPs and staff to move between buildings securely. It's one of several interlinked buildings in this area that make up the parliamentary complex.

Architecture and Design

1 Parliament Street was constructed in the early 1900s, designed in a neoclassical style that complements the broader government architecture of Whitehall. Its Portland stone façade, tall sash windows, and corner turret give it a dignified appearance. While not ornate in the Gothic Revival sense of the nearby Houses of Parliament, its architecture is restrained, formal, and solidly institutional - befitting its use.

In the late 1990s, the building underwent a major refurbishment as part of the same project that developed Portcullis House. The refurbishment updated the interiors while preserving the character of the exterior. Today, it provides a contrast to its modern neighbor, yet together they represent a cohesive government quarter.

Often Overlooked by Visitors

Most visitors will walk right past 1 Parliament Street without realizing what it is. In fact, many stand directly in front of it - often without looking back - as they photograph Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster from the corner of Bridge Street. But the building behind them, with its elegant curves and understated design, deserves some attention too.

Although the building is not open to the public, it's still worth noticing for its place in the visual and institutional landscape of Westminster. It marks the transition between Whitehall and the parliamentary estate, both literally and symbolically, and is a good example of Edwardian-era government architecture.

Fun Fact

The building marks the official postal address of Parliament Street, which is technically part of the A3212 road running from Westminster to Trafalgar Square.

List of Government Buildings in London

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