IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Bedford Park, CROYDON, CR9 1TX

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.

Another office block has recently been boarded up for re-development, or demolition.

Y-shaped office block with canted windows wedged between narrow vertical brick piers which project above the roofline, rather like finials. 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.

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]

On the corner of Sydenham Road and Bedford Place

One of the newer office blocks in Croydon, completed c2007.

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

The more attractive side of the road, with blossom on the trees which stand in front of the housing development.

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?