270-290 Streatham High Road

Image: © Stephen Richards Taken: Unknown

Occupying a prominent position at the junction with Mitcham Lane, this block was built in an Art Deco style in 1933 by T.P. Bennett and Sons. Of grey brick with metal Crittall windows, and an elegant curved end topped by a pantiled roof and painted lantern. 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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