There is no better place than a gallery to do a bit of people watching.
The new wing of Tate Modern provides the perfect opportunity, and there is even a viewing gallery that looks straight into people's almost transparent homes. There is, in fact, a spectacular view around London from the top floor of the Switch House. Despite this, the most talked about view on the occasion of our visit yesterday was that of the family eating a meal around their dining table. It felt like observing caged animals in a zoo. The signs around the viewing platform made a request to respect the privacy of 'our neighbours'. The owners of these homes (within the block shown in this picture) must have anticipated a degree of being part of the theatre when they purchased their highly glazed showpiece apartments but I'm not sure they anticipated being put quite so much in the spotlight as is now the case.
This square shot was snatched whilst on our ascent of the eight high floors which we climbed at least twice during our visit.
now that is interesting, I sure wouldn't like strangers watching me eat dinner from a close distance lol ;) I would most definitely love to visit these transparent homes just out of sheer curiosity!
Great shot, I wouldn't want people staring into my house.
There are houses here along the waterfront where we can walk past along the beach and watch the owners sitting on their patios or even see straight into their homes.
I don't think I would pay a couple of million dollars and more to have people looking into my home.
We live a couple of blocks back from the beach and aren't overlooked at all.
@shylaine3304 I must admit I was curious to know what they made of the streams of observers looking in from a viewing balcony. I didn't want to compound the invasion of privacy by photographing the scene I describe.
@ivan There are other reasons for me not buying one apart from the privacy issue. The shape of the living rooms would be one (triangular with a sharp angle), and I didn't look up the prices but .....
@flowerfairyann Thanks Ann. I think the only way to cope would be to set up a telescope in the corner of the room and spend hours viewing the viewers. just a thought.
Creating a viewing gallery and then asking the viewers to respect the apartment owners' privacy seem to me to be at least duplicitous if not downright hypocritical!
@vignouse well yes I agree. Of course the viewing gallery was created to observe the fantastic London skyline. Perhaps I will have to post one of those shots soon. Thanks for your observation.
Well seen and an interesting story! I haven't been to the new Tate Modern yet, and despite being a member! I live about 3 hours from London! I would hate living in a goldfish bowl!
There are houses here along the waterfront where we can walk past along the beach and watch the owners sitting on their patios or even see straight into their homes.
I don't think I would pay a couple of million dollars and more to have people looking into my home.
We live a couple of blocks back from the beach and aren't overlooked at all.