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Ardwell Road, LONDON, SW2 4BT

Nightclub on Streatham Hill, situated on the block between Stenhold Avenue and Ardwell Road, opposite Barcombe Avenue.

A fine brick building with stone dressings and a giant loggia (which originally had coloured tiling). Designed by Charles Nicholas and John Dixon-Spain, it opened as a vaudeville venue and cinema in 1932 with seating for almost 2,500. Damaged during the war, it was used as a factory before being rebuilt in 1955 but closing only six years later. It has been a bowling alley (under various owners) since 1962. 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 ).

Evening shot of the Bowling Alley (now closed) and the Cat's Whiskers, ex Streatham Locarno (now Caesar's).

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 ).

A well-mannered block of flats with shops below dating from c1930. The whole composition is symmetrical with the centre clad in stone. 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 ).

Boarded up, now demolished and the site redeveloped, along with the nearer building. The high building was at least in part built as the Gaumont Palace cinema, later a bowling alley, with an impressive frontage on Streatham Hill (which survives). The nearer low building is the back of what was built as the Locarno dance hall, later night clubs or similar under various names.

On a prominent position opposite the start of Leigham Court Road. The roofline helps with its semi-hexagonal corner bay topped by a dome with a spire, "ironically not dissimilar to a First World War German soldier's helmet." Ironic because this polite group of shops with flats above was built on the site of Arborfield, a large house destroyed during a Zeppelin raid on 24th September 1916. 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 ).

If there was a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Buildings, this would be the subject of a report. Restoration would be possible here as much of the lavish interior still remains. This building was formerly well-known as the Streatham Hill Theatre. See Link http://www.timothysutton.com/bingogirls/history.htm