Unilever House
A striking Art Deco office building on the Thames, Unilever House curves elegantly above Blackfriars Bridge, marking the architectural ambitions of early twentieth-century corporate London.
At a glance
Grade II listed Neoclassical Art Deco office building overlooking the River Thames at Blackfriars. The site’s sweeping curved facade and prominent riverside location make it one of London’s most recognisable commercial structures from the interwar period.
History
The site once held Bridewell Palace, a royal residence of Henry VIII that later served as a poorhouse and prison. After these structures were demolished in 1864, De Keyser’s Royal Hotel occupied the location. In 1920, Lord Leverhulme leased the site to establish the London headquarters for Lever Brothers, his soap manufacturing empire. The company merged with Dutch margarine producers to form Unilever in 1930. Construction of the new building began in 1929, transforming the riverside site into a monument to corporate modernity.
What you see
The building exemplifies Neoclassical Art Deco design with its distinctive tall, curving frontage. The sweeping facade dominates Victoria Embankment and presents a dramatic profile when viewed from Blackfriars Bridge, anchoring the north bank of the Thames with its bold architectural presence.
Cultural significance
Unilever House represents the confidence of British industrial capital between the wars—a period when manufacturing conglomerates asserted their status through landmark headquarters. Its Grade II listing recognises both its architectural merit and its role in London’s commercial heritage along the Thames.
Key facts
- Location: New Bridge Street, Victoria Embankment, Blackfriars, London
- Country: United Kingdom
- Coordinates: 51.511654, −0.104671
- Listed status: Grade II
- Architectural style: Neoclassical Art Deco
- Construction: 1929–1933
Practical information & getting there
Unilever House is accessible from Blackfriars station (Circle, District and Metropolitan lines). The building’s riverside location on Victoria Embankment places it within walking distance of St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London. The exterior can be appreciated from the embankment and bridge; note that the building remains in commercial use.
Sources & resources
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