English Heritage Lists Post-War Office Buildings

Written on Thursday, 29 January 2015.

English Heritage has announced the listing of 14 of the finest post-war office buildings in England. This follows an English Heritage project to assess commercial buildings from 1964 to 1984.

4 new London office buildings listed at Grade II are:

– Brown Shipley, Moorgate, City of London, Fitzroy Robinson & Partners, 1973-5
– 30 Cannon Street (photo above, formerly Credit Lyonnais), London, Whinney, Son & Austen Hall, 1974-7
– 1 Finsbury Avenue, City of London, Arup Associates’ Group 2 led by Peter Foggo, 1982-4
– Civil Aviation Authority House, (formerly Space House), Kingsway, Camden London. George Marsh of Richard Seifert & Partners, 1964-8

The buildings that were fully assessed but not recommended for listing:

– Tower 42 (Natwest Tower), London, Richard Seifert & Partners, 1973-81
– Bush Lane House, 80 Cannon Street, London, Arup Associates, 1972-76
– 150 Leadenhall Street & 6-8 Bishopsgate, London, GMW Partnership, 1974-78 & 1977-81

Heritage Minister, Ed Vaizey, said: “Listed buildings are not just about historic houses and ancient monuments, they also serve to protect our recent heritage and preserve the best examples of our fantastic architecture. This group of listings reflect the changing face of our working environment and represent the very best in design and it’s entirely right that they be listed Grade II.”

Roger Bowdler, Director of Designation at English Heritage, said: “The clearer we can be about what deserves to be listed, the better for all. These offices show how architecture has adapted to recent radical changes in how we work: they show how the open-plan working space for computer-led work came about, and how architects responded to the need for lettable, attractive spaces with ingenuity and a deep understanding of human needs. Our project has aimed to deliver certainty for owners, while adding to the range of those key buildings which are protected by law. These are all remarkable designs, capable of years of commercially vibrant use. The project has been notable for its extensive research, and for close dialogue with owners.”

Tim Roberts, Head of Offices, British Land, said: “The Grade II listing of 1 Finsbury Avenue has been arrived at after a constructive dialogue between British Land, English Heritage and the City of London Corporation. The rigorous and detailed analysis and assessment of elements contributing to the significance of 1 Finsbury Avenue means that British Land will have the flexibility to adapt the building to keep pace with the continued evolution of Broadgate as an exemplar of flexible and adaptable commercial place making.”

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