Do you, or have you ever, worked in a very famous building?

[ferriswheel]

I've just lost the best part of a day watching Designated Survivor and it has made me think about all of the behind-the-scenes people who work in The White House, or Buckingham Palace, or any kind of place like that.

Does anyone have any exciting stories of what it is actually like?

I haven't worked in a famous building but I have worked in an award winning one. The head office of Wessex Water in Bath has one several awards for its design.

I have worked in Barcelona's Sagrada Familia. Mostly a building site (no shit ) Gaudi's tomb is creepy.

I am jealous of those who have backstage passes to National History Museum and the like.

Loving this thread it’s so interesting!

@Tiddler7 I certainly did. I NC’ed especially for this thread. She was a very special friend, I think of her almost every day. I left in 97 a few weeks after her death, the whole thing was just absolutely devastating. If things had been different I’d probably still be working with her today, I adored my role.

DH worked as a footman at Buckingham Palace

First week working in London (young and terrified) I can still remember my first visit to the Royal Courts of Justice. Mohammed Al Fayed (I think) was there and it took me a long time and several cigarettes standing outside before I plucked up the courage to walk past the press and go in.

Not such a recognisable building but temped in the Law Courts in Belfast back when there were army checkpoints either end of the street outside.

Also worked briefly in Parliament Buildings Stormont when it was an English conservative minister there before the Good Friday Agreement/devolved administration. Feeling old!

@VoodooCat I used to live about 5 minutes walk from Chislehurst Caves, 10 minutes on hands & knees after a good gig in there. My DBro had the (non-Christian) ceremony part of his wedding at the "Druid's Altar" preceded by a tour for all the guests!

I did work experience in the houses of parliament. the first few days I was pretty awestruck by how beautiful the building is but then it wore off.

No 10 is particularly disappointing It really is, I was so excited about going there!

Lloyd’s of London.

Interesting buildings, both the old and new.

A City Hall,
An Uni,
A major Museum.

The best bit about No 10 is the front door. The rest is just like a rundown office.

I used to work in the Treasury - bumped in to " "Gorgeous" George Osborne in the cafeteria a few times. My desk looked out at Big Ben. We used to have training in the room where Winston Churchill made speeches from the balcony. It did give me a thrill at the time. Certainly more than the job did which I hated with a passion.

My daughter works in Westminster Abbey

I worked in a building used several times as a Dr Who set. We have moved our business to new premises now and just a few episodes ago Peter Capaldi came running out of the front door of our previous Print Shop!

I went to a party for a member of the clergy who worked in Westminster Abbey - there are beautiful houses tucked behind it.

I would be interested in anyone who has worked in an Amazon warehouse.

Also, data centres which house banks and banks of servers. I imagine the security must be very tight.

I once got shortlisted for a job at the Bank of England. Didn't get it but going for the interview was quite awe-inspiring! I did work at Sea Containers House, though, when it was government offices. Had fabulous riverside views, now enjoyed by hotel guests.

I work in Senate House in London which is always being used as a film set for various things. Things I remember being filmed there in the time I have worked there include Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, The Crown, Batman Begins, a Guinness ad, Black Mirror, etc etc. And of course (before my time) Day of the Triffids.

My dad used to work at GCHQ.... he also worked at The Hague, and the Pentagon and occasionally spent time at the White House.

Oh and Wimbledon.

I appreciate that last one sounds a bit random but they all fit with his work as he changed lines sort of...

I worked at the Large Hadron Collider (CERN) for 5 years. Not a ‘building’ as such, more an undergound tunnel. The accelerator itself is far less interesting than the huge particle detectors spaced around it. Open to the public for free and worth a look if you’re in Geneva

I stayed in Windsor Castle some years ago with work, as an assistant working for the Archbishops on a Cathedral project. The best part was lifting up ropes and walking under them. I was only 24 and it made me feel important!

I worked in Senate House, London University. it's the most beautiful building, Art Deco , and everything is so wonderfully designed, you can walk around a hundred times and still notice little details like window latches, or door handles. Apparently George Orwell worked there during the war when it was requisitioned for the Minisrty of
Information , he used it as the basis for the ministry in 1984, and there really is a room 101. there are also some very creaky little one or two person lifts in the back corridors , prone to shuddering to a halt. One of my favourite buildings, I was so pleased when I read John Wyndhams book the Triffids and found Senate House had a leading role!

Thames House really isn’t very exciting. Get past the “pods” and it’s like any other office.

Been to various meetings at Lloyd’s of London, the Gherkin etc.

viques that sounds amazing.* Do they ever allow tours? I’d love to see the building.*

Waves to Motherscare, wonders if the unreliable lifts are still there!!