Eighty Strand, Grade II listed Art Deco building on the Strand, City of Westminster, United Kingdom
Eighty Strand is a listed office building in Art Deco style along the Thames in the City of Westminster. The twelve-storey structure reaches 58 meters tall and carries a large clock face measuring 7.62 meters in diameter on its facade.
The tower opened in 1932 on the site of the former Hotel Cecil and became the headquarters for Shell-Mex and BP joint marketing operations in Britain. This partnership shaped the use of the location for several decades.
The nickname Big Benzene plays on the famous clock tower and the chemical term benzene, a nod to the petroleum industry. The four large marble figures beside the clock face show classical themes that visitors can see from the pavement today.
The tower sits between the Strand and the Thames with a gated archway set back from the main road. Visitors can view the facade and clock face well from outside, as it remains an active office building.
The clock face surpasses the famous Big Ben in diameter and is the largest timepiece in the United Kingdom. Passersby often notice its unusual size only when looking closely at the tower.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
London Eye
728 m
Royal National Theatre
584 m
Royal Festival Hall
542 m
Waterloo Bridge
331 m
Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges
421 m
Shell Centre
732 m
Southbank Centre
542 m
Hayward Gallery
574 m
Queen Elizabeth Hall
490 m
Skylon
598 m
Museum of the Moving Image
558 m
Whitehall Court
527 m
Dome of Discovery
711 m
Jubilee Gardens
698 m
Purcell Room
526 m
National Poetry Library
554 m
London Pride
524 m
Cleopatra's Needle
161 m
A Room for London
481 m
Southbank Centre Food Market
605 m
Topolski Century
680 m
Cleopatra's Needle
160 m
Golden Jubilee Bridges
421 m
Royal National Theatre
584 m
W. S. Gilbert Memorial
295 m
Bust of Nelson Mandela
587 m
Fountain In Courtyard Of Shell Centre
729 m
Zemran
468 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes