Swiss Centre, London

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox building

|image = File:Swiss Building - geograph.org.uk - 24916.jpg

|image_size =

|name = The Swiss Centre

|status =

|caption = The Swiss Centre in 2003

|location = Coventry Street, London

|coordinates = {{coords|51.5106|-0.1312|display=inline,title}}

|roof =

|antenna_spire =

|floor_count =

|completion_date = 1966

|demolished_date = 2008

|floor_area =

|client =

|architect = David du Roi Aberdeen

|structural_engineer =

|services_engineer =

|other_designers =

|main_contractor = John Laing & Son

|url =

}}

{{commons category|Swiss Centre, London}}

The Swiss Centre, with its distinctive clock, was a popular tourist attraction on the edge of Coventry Street, London, at its junction with Leicester Square. The 14 storey building{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/londons-new-200m-hotel-ndash-where-the-owners-want-to-check-out-already-2195538.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220526/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/architecture/londons-new-200m-hotel-ndash-where-the-owners-want-to-check-out-already-2195538.html |archive-date=26 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=London's new £200m hotel – where the owners want to check out|website=independent.co.uk|date=27 January 2011|access-date=23 August 2018}} was both a showcase for Switzerland and its products, a trade and commercial centre that featured a Swiss bank, tourist office, a chocolate and souvenir shop, a Swissair ticket office, a cafe and several Swiss-themed restaurants which were located in the basement.{{cite web| url = http://postwarbuildings.com/buildings/the-swiss-centre| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100606044537/http://postwarbuildings.com/buildings/the-swiss-centre| archive-date = 2010-06-06| title = The Swiss Centre {{!}} Post-War Buildings}}

It was designed by David Aberdeen and built by John Laing & Son and Token Construction Company Limited between 1963 and 1966,Ritchie, p. 146{{cite journal|title=Leicester Square, North Side and Lisle Street Area: Leicester Estate, New Coventry Street|journal=Survey of London|volume=33 – 34, St Anne Soho|editor=F H W Sheppard|location=(London|year=1966|pages=486–487|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols33-4/pp486-487|access-date=9 January 2016}}

to include a podium above the shops located at street level, and an 11 storey tower block with office floors, residential spaces, a penthouse, a viewing gallery and a plant room.{{cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols33-4/pp486-487|title=Leicester Square, North Side, and Lisle Street Area: Leicester Estate, New Coventry Street - British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk|access-date=23 August 2018}}

Over the years the connection with Switzerland faded out: several shops remained vacant, and British souvenir stalls took over the commercial spaces from the late nineties. The clock's chimes were last played on 21 September 2007, and the Centre was demolished in 2008.

Two totem columns, one displaying the Helvetic cantons insignia, and the other a large carillon clock composed of 23 bells, were preserved in the western section of the square that was finally renamed Swiss Court, in order to retain an element of Swiss heritage.{{cite web|url=http://memoirsofametrogirl.com/2014/03/22/swiss-glockenspiel-leicester-square-history-swiss-centre/|title=Swiss glockenspiel in Leicester Square: The last survivor of the Swiss Centre|date=22 March 2014|access-date=13 September 2015}}

The glockenspiel, redesigned and restored by the clockmakers Smith of Derby, was returned in November 2011, three years after the building's demolition.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-15877241|title=Leicester Square Swiss glockenspiel restored by Smith of Derby|work=BBC News|date=28 November 2011|access-date=17 July 2016}}

At the time of the building's demolition, it was intended that a hotel would be constructed on the site.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7006530.stm|title=Last chime for iconic Swiss clock|date=21 September 2007|via=news.bbc.co.uk}} The site (bordered by Lisle Street, Leicester Street, Swiss Court and Wardour Street) was redeveloped and now contains M&M's World in the location on Leicester Square and was opened in June 2011.{{cite web |last=Gormley |first=Paul |url=http://www.mcaleer-rushe.co.uk/swiss-centre-let-mandmworld/ |title=100% of redeveloped Swiss Centre on London's Leicester Square let with signing of 'M&M'S World' store - McAleer & Rushe |website=Mcaleer-rushe.co.uk |date=10 September 2010 |access-date=26 July 2016 |archive-date=18 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818182647/http://www.mcaleer-rushe.co.uk/swiss-centre-let-mandmworld/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.londonandpartners.com/media-centre/press-releases/2011/europes-first-ever-mms-world-store-opens-in-londons-leicester-square |title=Europe's First Ever M&M'S World Store Opens in London's Leicester Square |website=Londonandpartners.com |date=6 July 2011 |access-date=26 July 2016}} The W Hotel, with its entrance on Wardour Street, takes up the north part of the site and upper levels.