Lambeth Bridge, London 1961

This authentic 1960s colour photograph captures a pivotal moment in the modernization of the London skyline, featuring Millbank Tower under construction in 1961. Then known as the Vickers Tower, the skyscraper’s skeletal steel frame and climbing cranes dominate the background, representing what was briefly the tallest building in the United Kingdom. In the foreground, the elegant five-arched Lambeth Bridge spans the River Thames, with a traditional red double-decker bus visible crossing its length. To the right of the rising tower, the classical stone facades of the Imperial Chemical House and Thames House provide a heavy, traditional contrast to the glass-and-steel ambition of the new development. The river itself is active, with a small boat moored in the lower left corner and the choppy water reflecting the overcast, mid-century sky. This image serves as a powerful record of post-war architectural transition along the Embankment. This digital download is a stunning piece of urban history, perfect to print for yourself as a piece of dramatic vintage wall art.