The Lifewatch Centre is a single storey flat roofed building erected at the Zoo's shop at the south end of what was formerly a rose garden. It had been converted to serve as an information centre and first aid station. Built 1962, extended 1968. Converted 1989-90. Demolished in 2003.
Public research university in Bloomsbury, central London, and a member institution of the University of London that specialises in public and global health, epidemiology and tropical medicine.
London Zoo opened to Fellows of the Zoological Society of London, and to the public with a written order from a Fellow and payment of 1 shilling in 1828. The royal animal collection from the Tower of London was presented in 1831. In 1847 the public were admitted to London Zoo for the first time without an order from a Fellow. After the eruption of the Second World War, London Zoo was closed multiple times for over a week at a time starting 11:00am on 3rd September 1939, when all zoological places were closed by order of the government. On 27th September 1940, high explosive bombs damaged the Rodent house, the Civet house, the gardener's office, the propagating sheds, the North Gate and the Zebra house. In January 1941, the Camel house was hit, and the aquarium could not open until May 1943 due to extensive bombings.
The Main Gate replaced a narrower gate set between twin lodges. It is in the Italianate style that John James Joass had introduced to the Zoo. A semicircular court within the gate was originally enclosed by a colonnade of similar design, its purpose to fan visitors out across the gardens. Built 1928, brief by Sir Peter Chalmers Mitchell and Joan Beauchamp Procter; Sir Edward Guy Dawber, architect; columns made by G E Wallis and Sons Limited. South west kiosk added and south terrace laid out 1971 with the Sobell Pavilions, John Toovey, architect. Terrace layout altered 1984 and 1988.
