Hoop and Grapes [selections from the web]

"Nobody wants their favourite pub demolished to make way for a new building, however stylish. When the pub is a historic listed building and protected by English Heritage, the solution is to preserve it. The complex support work was conceived by the consultant Pell Frischmann before implementation by Balfour Beatty. Keeping the Hoop and Grapes standing was just one of the challenges facing Balfour Beatty, who recently "topped out" the Stonecutter Square building in Farringdon ... The conservation of the public house [involved] two buildings clad in Portland stone panels, built around the pub. During their construction, the Hoop and Grapes had to be under-pinned and given structural support, while the new buildings rose on either side of it".

"HOPPING AHEAD - The biggest selection ever of Single Varietal Hopped Beers will be available from Monday 13th October to Friday 17th October at two well known beer temples - The White Horse on Parson's Green, London SW6 and The Hoop and Grapes, Aldgate, London EC3. Each pub will be featuring 15 cask conditioned beers using six different hop varieties during the course of the week's festival..."

OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE DO LIKE THIS PUB.  IT MUST BE WORTH A VISIT! When we were there, it seemed to surrounded by demolition - depressing and uninviting. In retrospect that must have been the new construction. It should be interesting to see how the pub fits in!