IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Astoria Parade, Streatham High Road, LONDON, SW16 1PR

View looking at British Relay House and petrol station which is now Kwik Fit. The orange fascia behind the Esso sign is that of the London Electricity Board showroom - long gone and now Beaumont Beds.

Another block of flats above shops, this one was designed by Messrs Joseph in c1931, and took the original name of the adjacent cinema. 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 ). Typical levels of traffic, approaching the point at which the road narrows.

Built as the Astoria (an Odeon since 1961), and opening in 1930, this impressive cinema was the work of Edward Stone, a renowned cinema and theatre architect. It has a swept pantile roof, below which are a series of small windows with their original shutters and 1920s 'Roman-style' metalwork. The original interior, lavishly decorated in an Egyptian style, is apparently still there, but concealed behind more recent (and more prosaic) work. Why not indulge us all and uncover it? Streatham is not exactly spoilt for exotica. The opening of the cinema "rivalled anything in the West End, the 16th Hussars played a fanfare of trumpets and a capacity audience of 2,500 watched the opening performance." 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 ).

Lift your eyes from the pavement and even in the most unpromising of places, all kinds of delights will reveal themselves to you. Above WHSmith's is a fine 1930s Art Deco style front. Note the stepped pediment at the top, vertical panels of windows, and the multi-paned leaded casements with decorative bands, the whole facade being set within an ornamental frame. Sharman's was a dress shop and drapers, no doubt dating from the time when Streatham was known as the "West End of South London". See here for a view of the whole terrace: Image]

A view from by Becmead Avenue bus stop, towards Brixton or Tulse Hill.