Former Locarno, Streatham Hill

Image: © Stephen Richards Taken: Unknown

The symmetrical block which includes shops and flats was designed by Trehearne and Norman Preston and Co in a neo-Georgian style. The Locarno ballroom opened in 1929. In later incarnations it was the "Cat's Whiskers", "The Ritz" and "The Studio". It is now "Caesar's", and the dancing therein would probably make the founders of the Locarno blush. It is within the Streatham High Road and Streatham Hill Conservation Area. The course of Streatham High Road has been a major highway between London and Sussex since Roman times. Its current appearance is largely attributable to two major spells of development. The first was during the late C19th following the opening of Streatham Hill station in 1856, and the second was after 1911 when the line to Victoria was electrified. Though much-maligned and undoubtedly blighted by heavy traffic, closer examination reveals that the road is lined with a number of interesting buildings, some of which reflect the period between the wars when Streatham was a fashionable centre of entertainment. Information from Lambeth Council (http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/exeres/CE4B5CE1-0387-40ED-B5A9-273A5160C34A.htm ).

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