No. 1 Croydon: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Tall building in Croydon, London}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}} |
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{{Infobox building |
{{Infobox building |
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| former_names = NLA Tower |
| former_names = NLA Tower |
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| alternate_names = |
| alternate_names = |
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| image = NLA Tower.jpg |
| image = File:No.1 Croydon (NLA Tower) November 2023.jpg |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| caption = No. 1 Croydon looking east |
| caption = No. 1 Croydon looking east |
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| location = |
| location = |
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| address = 12-16 Addiscombe Road |
| address = 12-16 Addiscombe Road |
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| location_town = [[Croydon|East Croydon]], [[London]] |
| location_town = [[Croydon|East Croydon]], [[Greater London]] |
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| location_country = [[England]] |
| location_country = [[England]] |
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| coordinates = |
| coordinates = |
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{{coord|51.3749|N|0.0910|W|display=title}} |
{{coord|51.3749|N|0.0910|W|display=title}} |
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'''No. 1 Croydon''' (formerly the '''NLA Tower''', and colloquially the '''50p Building''', the '''Weddingcake''' or the '''Threepenny bit''' building)<ref name=Three>{{cite web| title = Croydon, Route & What to See| publisher= London Footprints| url=http://www.london-footprints.co.uk/wkcroydonroute.htm| accessdate=20 March 2008}}</ref> is a |
'''No. 1 Croydon''' (formerly the '''NLA Tower''', and colloquially the '''50p Building''', the '''Weddingcake''' or the '''[[Threepence (British coin)|Threepenny bit]]''' building)<ref name=Three>{{cite web| title = Croydon, Route & What to See| publisher= London Footprints| url=http://www.london-footprints.co.uk/wkcroydonroute.htm| accessdate=20 March 2008}}</ref> is a tall building at 12–16 Addiscombe Road, [[Croydon]], [[Greater London]], next to [[East Croydon station]]. It was designed by [[Richard Seifert|Richard Seifert & Partners]] and completed in 1970. It has 24 storeys and is {{convert|269|ft|m}} high. 'NLA' stood for 'Noble Lowndes Annuities'.<ref>{{cite web| title = Information on names of NLA Tower| publisher= Graham Johnson| url=http://fotopic.addiscombe.org.uk/p41321387.html| accessdate=15 December 2006}}</ref> It was one of many new buildings constructed in the growing town of Croydon in the 1960s.<ref>[http://www.fbi-services.co.uk/article.asp?id=1137 State of the art refurbishment<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The development of [[Tall buildings in London|tall buildings]] was later encouraged in the 2004 [[London Plan]],<ref>{{cite web| title = London - Full Summary of Projects| publisher= Will Fox, SkyscraperCity.com| url=http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=46| accessdate=15 December 2006}}</ref> which led to the erection of new skyscrapers as Greater London went through a high-rise boom. |
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== Restoration project == |
== Restoration project == |
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A refurbishment programme costing over £3.5 million was completed in early 2007. It included a six-month exterior cleaning project, new lobby, landscaping and common areas, and refurbishment of the top ten floors to provide {{convert|74543|sqft|m2|0}} of high spec, air-conditioned office accommodation. |
A refurbishment programme costing over £3.5 million was completed in early 2007. It included a six-month exterior cleaning project, a new lobby, landscaping and common areas, and refurbishment of the top ten floors to provide {{convert|74543|sqft|m2|0}} of high spec, air-conditioned office accommodation. |
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A substantial amount of work had already been done to improve the façade of the tower. It was identified in a [[Channel 4]] programme as one of the UK's top eyesores. A spokesman for building restoration firm Triton said: "Work is running to schedule and within budget."<ref>{{cite web| title = NLA |
A substantial amount of work had already been done to improve the façade of the tower. It was identified in a [[Channel 4]] programme as one of the UK's top eyesores. A spokesman for building restoration firm Triton said: "Work is running to schedule and within budget."<ref>{{cite web| title = NLA Tower's makeover nearly done| publisher= Croydon Guardian| url=http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/display.var.748665.0.nla_towers_makeover_nearly_done.php| accessdate=14 March 2008}}</ref> |
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== Occupiers == |
== Occupiers == |
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No. 1 Croydon is occupied by a number of companies and organisations, including [[Atkins (company)|Atkins]], [[Directline holidays]] |
No. 1 Croydon is occupied by a number of companies and organisations, including [[Atkins (company)|Atkins]], [[Directline holidays]] and [[dotdigital]]. |
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[[File:No. One Croydon.JPG|thumb|right|The Sainsbury's extension to the building]] |
[[File:No. One Croydon.JPG|thumb|right|The Sainsbury's extension to the building]] |
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In November 2014, a branch of [[Sainsbury's Local]] was opened in part of the former courtyard on the north side of the building, effectively forming a part of the structure.<ref name="CroAd">{{cite news|author=Croydon Advertiser staff writer|title=East Croydon Sainsbury's: Is this Britain's worst-placed supermarket?|url=https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/East-Croydon-Sainsbury-s-Britain-s-worst-placed/story-25728889-detail/story.html|work=Croydon Advertiser|date=17 December 2014|accessdate=29 October 2015}}</ref> The new building attracted criticism on aesthetic grounds and also in respect of safety due to its proximity to the [[Tramlink]] track bed.<ref name="CroAd"/> |
In November 2014, a branch of [[Sainsbury's Local]] was opened in part of the former courtyard on the north side of the building, effectively forming a part of the structure.<ref name="CroAd">{{cite news|author=Croydon Advertiser staff writer|title=East Croydon Sainsbury's: Is this Britain's worst-placed supermarket?|url=https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/East-Croydon-Sainsbury-s-Britain-s-worst-placed/story-25728889-detail/story.html|work=Croydon Advertiser|date=17 December 2014|accessdate=29 October 2015}}</ref> The new building attracted criticism on aesthetic grounds and also in respect of safety due to its proximity to the [[Tramlink]] track bed.<ref name="CroAd"/> |
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== Other names == |
== Other names == |
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No. 1 Croydon was originally known colloquially as the ''Threepenny Bit Building'', due to its resemblance to a number of [[Threepence (British coin)|threepence]] coins stacked on top of each other. After the coins stopped being used following [[Decimal Day|decimalisation]] the building eventually gained the alternative nickname the ''50p Building'', as it also resembles a stack of the now more familiar [[British fifty pence coin|50p pieces]]; and it is also referred to as ''The Wedding Cake''.<ref name=Fifty>{{cite news|url = http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.1425034.0.croydons_50p_tower_stolen.php|title = Croydon's 50p tower stolen|work = This is Local London|accessdate = 20 March 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.croydon.gov.uk/contents/departments/democracy/pdf/599193/ycfeb09.pdf ''Your Croydon Pamphlet, February 2009''] (Retrieved 4 January 2010)</ref> The resemblance to threepenny and 50p coins is approximate, as the building's floors are octagonal whereas threepenny coins |
No. 1 Croydon was originally known colloquially as the ''Threepenny Bit Building'', due to its resemblance to a number of [[Threepence (British coin)|threepence]] coins stacked on top of each other. After the coins stopped being used following [[Decimal Day|decimalisation]] the building eventually gained the alternative nickname the ''50p Building'', as it also resembles a stack of the now more familiar [[British fifty pence coin|50p pieces]]; and it is also referred to as ''The Wedding Cake''.<ref name=Fifty>{{cite news|url = http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.1425034.0.croydons_50p_tower_stolen.php|title = Croydon's 50p tower stolen|work = This is Local London|accessdate = 20 March 2008}}</ref><ref>[http://www.croydon.gov.uk/contents/departments/democracy/pdf/599193/ycfeb09.pdf ''Your Croydon Pamphlet, February 2009''] (Retrieved 4 January 2010)</ref> The resemblance to threepenny and 50p coins is approximate, as the building's floors are octagonal (8 sides) whereas threepenny coins were dodecagonal (12 sides) and 50p coins are heptagonal (7 sides). |
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==In popular culture== |
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The building was used as part of an [[establishing shot]] in Croydon in the opening credits of the 1980s British [[sitcom]] ''[[Terry and June]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}} |
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The building was used as part of an [[establishing shot]] in Croydon in the opening credits of the 1980s British [[sitcom]] ''[[Terry and June]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|author= Grindrod, John|url=https://c20society.org.uk/botm/nla-tower-croydon/|title=NLA Tower, Croydon|website= [[Twentieth Century Society]]|date = November 2014|access-date =6 April 2023}}</ref> It also appeared in the ''[[Black Mirror]]'' [[interactive movie|interactive film]] ''[[Black Mirror: Bandersnatch|Bandersnatch]]'', as housing the offices of fictional game software developer Tuckersoft.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1064531/Black-Mirror-Bandersnatch-location-Where-is-Bandersnatch-filmed-Croydon-Netflix-series | title =Black Mirror Bandersnatch location: Where is Bandersnatch filmed? Where is it set? | first = Neela |last = Debnath | date = 28 December 2018 | accessdate = 28 December 2018 | work = [[Daily Express]] }}</ref> |
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== Listing == |
== Listing == |
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The campaign for listing No.1 Croydon is supported by the Twentieth Century Society but this was turned down by English Heritage in 2013. |
The campaign for [[Listed building|heritage listing]] No. 1 Croydon is supported by the [[Twentieth Century Society]], but this was turned down by [[Historic England|English Heritage]] in 2013. |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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*[[Cherry Orchard Road]] |
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*[[East Croydon station]] |
*[[East Croydon station]] |
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{{Croydon B&S}} |
{{Croydon B&S}} |
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[[Category:1970 establishments in England]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1970]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1970]] |
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[[Category:Croydon 2020]] |
[[Category:Croydon 2020]] |
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Latest revision as of 00:53, 10 February 2024
| No. 1 Croydon | |
|---|---|
_November_2023.jpg) No. 1 Croydon looking east | |
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| Former names | NLA Tower |
| General information | |
| Address | 12-16 Addiscombe Road |
| Town or city | East Croydon, Greater London |
| Country | England |
| Completed | 1970 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Richard Seifert & Partners |
| Structural engineer | Triton |
51°22′30″N 0°05′28″W / 51.3749°N 0.0910°W
No. 1 Croydon (formerly the NLA Tower, and colloquially the 50p Building, the Weddingcake or the Threepenny bit building)[1] is a tall building at 12–16 Addiscombe Road, Croydon, Greater London, next to East Croydon station. It was designed by Richard Seifert & Partners and completed in 1970. It has 24 storeys and is 269 feet (82 m) high. 'NLA' stood for 'Noble Lowndes Annuities'.[2] It was one of many new buildings constructed in the growing town of Croydon in the 1960s.[3] The development of tall buildings was later encouraged in the 2004 London Plan,[4] which led to the erection of new skyscrapers as Greater London went through a high-rise boom.
Restoration project
[edit]A refurbishment programme costing over £3.5 million was completed in early 2007. It included a six-month exterior cleaning project, a new lobby, landscaping and common areas, and refurbishment of the top ten floors to provide 74,543 square feet (6,925 m2) of high spec, air-conditioned office accommodation.
A substantial amount of work had already been done to improve the façade of the tower. It was identified in a Channel 4 programme as one of the UK's top eyesores. A spokesman for building restoration firm Triton said: "Work is running to schedule and within budget."[5]
Occupiers
[edit]No. 1 Croydon is occupied by a number of companies and organisations, including Atkins, Directline holidays and dotdigital.
In November 2014, a branch of Sainsbury's Local was opened in part of the former courtyard on the north side of the building, effectively forming a part of the structure.[6] The new building attracted criticism on aesthetic grounds and also in respect of safety due to its proximity to the Tramlink track bed.[6]
Other names
[edit]No. 1 Croydon was originally known colloquially as the Threepenny Bit Building, due to its resemblance to a number of threepence coins stacked on top of each other. After the coins stopped being used following decimalisation the building eventually gained the alternative nickname the 50p Building, as it also resembles a stack of the now more familiar 50p pieces; and it is also referred to as The Wedding Cake.[7][8] The resemblance to threepenny and 50p coins is approximate, as the building's floors are octagonal (8 sides) whereas threepenny coins were dodecagonal (12 sides) and 50p coins are heptagonal (7 sides).
In popular culture
[edit]The building was used as part of an establishing shot in Croydon in the opening credits of the 1980s British sitcom Terry and June.[9] It also appeared in the Black Mirror interactive film Bandersnatch, as housing the offices of fictional game software developer Tuckersoft.[10]
Listing
[edit]The campaign for heritage listing No. 1 Croydon is supported by the Twentieth Century Society, but this was turned down by English Heritage in 2013.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Croydon, Route & What to See". London Footprints. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ^ "Information on names of NLA Tower". Graham Johnson. Retrieved 15 December 2006.
- ^ State of the art refurbishment
- ^ "London - Full Summary of Projects". Will Fox, SkyscraperCity.com. Retrieved 15 December 2006.
- ^ "NLA Tower's makeover nearly done". Croydon Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
- ^ a b Croydon Advertiser staff writer (17 December 2014). "East Croydon Sainsbury's: Is this Britain's worst-placed supermarket?". Croydon Advertiser. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
- ^ "Croydon's 50p tower stolen". This is Local London. Retrieved 20 March 2008.
- ^ Your Croydon Pamphlet, February 2009 (Retrieved 4 January 2010)
- ^ Grindrod, John (November 2014). "NLA Tower, Croydon". Twentieth Century Society. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
- ^ Debnath, Neela (28 December 2018). "Black Mirror Bandersnatch location: Where is Bandersnatch filmed? Where is it set?". Daily Express. Retrieved 28 December 2018.