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Sydenham Road, CROYDON, CR0 2EX

Mainly office blocks in this part of Croydon.

Dew The Giraffe. Artist: Hannah Sykes. Sponsor: Superdrug. Location: Superdrug Head Office, 51 Sydenham Road, Croydon. Image]

One of Croydon's more modest 1960s (former) office blocks. It is now flats. A remarkable number of Croydon's office blocks are either being converted, or have been converted into flats in recent years. Under permitted development rights, such conversions do not require planning permission. What's the betting there'll be a serious shortage of office space in a few years?

By Fitzroy Robinson & Partners, 1965-68, "large and utilitarian" thought Pevsner. A sign advertises refurbished office space from 2,248 to 64,453 square feet. The going rate appears to be around £20 per square foot. Between the 1950s and the 1970s Croydon experienced a burst of commercial development unparalleled anywhere else in the country. The impetus was provided by the Croydon Corporation Act of 1956 which gave Croydon Council powers to develop land in the borough. A combination of improved roads, government incentives to relocate from, and Croydon's proximity to, central London, and lower rents attracted employers in their droves. By 1970 about six million square feet of office space had been provided in central Croydon. Development has continued since, but at a much slower rate. From a distance the skyline is impressive (the nearest this country comes to Manhattan), but the problem is that few of the buildings are of architectural merit.

On the corner of Sydenham Road and Bedford Place

The variety of architecture, in this road, can be seen here.

A recent office development at the corner of Sydenham Road and Dingwall Road.

I can think of no functional reasons for the projecting frame at the top - perhaps it represents an unexpected dash of whimsy. Wider view: Image

By T.P. Bennett and Sons, 1963-65. Between the 1950s and the 1970s Croydon experienced a burst of commercial development unparalleled anywhere else in the country. The impetus was provided by the Croydon Corporation Act of 1956 which gave Croydon Council powers to develop land in the borough. A combination of improved roads, government incentives to relocate from, and Croydon's proximity to, central London, and lower rents attracted employers in their droves. By 1970 about six million square feet of office space had been provided in central Croydon. Development has continued since, but at a much slower rate. From a distance the skyline is impressive (the nearest this country comes to Manhattan), but the problem is that few of the buildings are of architectural merit.

The two buildings, in the centre of picture, have just been completed. The copper-clad building is the YMCA, whilst the other building is the Hampton by the Hilton hotel, which has opened within the last week.