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[1] 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.

[2] It was designed by David Aberdeen and built by John Laing & Son and Token Construction Company Limited between 1963 and 1966,[3][4] 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.

[5] 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.

[6] The glockenspiel, redesigned and restored by the clockmakers Smith of Derby was returned in November 2011, three years after the building's demolition.