King Edward Buildings (former General Post Office Headquarters) now Bank of America Merrill Lynch London Headquarters. Architect: Sir Henry Tanner (Photo: Quintin Lake)

Coat of arms of Edward VII of the United Kingdom above the coach entrance to the King Edward Buildings. The instription Dieu et mon droit is the french motto of the British Monarch meaning "God and my right shall me defend" (Photo: Quintin Lake)

King Edward VII portland stone ornamentation with ERVII lettering above the window King Edward Buildings (Photo: Quintin Lake)

Statue by Onslow Ford of Rowland Hill, with the inscription "HE FOUNDED UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE 1840" outside the King Edward Buildings (Photo: Quintin Lake)

The King Edward Buildings on the west Side of King Edward Street in the City of London, now part of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch London Headquarters, is one of the remaining buildings of the former General Post Office Headquarters the other being The North Range, now named Namura House across the street.

Built 1907-1911 to the designs of Sir Henry Tanner, architect of the Office of Works. An early example of the use of reinforced concrete construction the building has stronger accents as was fashionable in the Edwardian period  than The North Range (Now named Namura House) over the road completed two years previously. The facade of the building has various ornamental motifs celebrating King Edward VII from which the street takes its name. King Edward Street was known as Butchers Hall Lane until 1843.

In front of the building is a statue by Onslow Ford of Rowland Hill the postal reformer, with the inscription “HE FOUNDED UNIFORM PENNY POSTAGE 1840”

These photographs were commissioned by Thames & Hudson / View Pictures for an upcoming book on the architecture of the City of London

View more images of the King Edward Buildings Here

Photography © Quintin Lake, 2010