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Looking from Park Hill, a public park; St.George's House (Nestlé UK Ltd Headquarters) can be seen on the skyline. In the foreground, in a deep cutting, is the railway line which serves East Croydon railway station.
©Peter Trimming
Looking north on Croydon's main shopping street.
©Philip Talmage
To the left, before the traffic lights, is the end of Surrey Street. The tower of the parish church is plainly visible.
©Philip Talmage
East Croydon is a major rail hub in south London, connected by high-speed services to London Bridge, Clapham Junction and Victoria. In 1992, British Rail replaced the Victorian brick-built station, spanning the lines, with this cantilevered steel-and-glass construction. The design avoided the need to replace the bridge carrying the road over the railway. Further measures to keep down costs included use of the old platforms, ramps and even the iron columns holding up the awnings - although these were disguised with cladding. Just to the right of the station is the former postal sorting office. On the extreme right of the picture is the NLA Tower - known locally as the "threepenny bit building".
©Philip Talmage
Gun Tavern on the left. The tram is for Wimbledon.
©Dr Neil Clifton
This is at the junction of George Street and Wellesley Road. Through north-south traffic in Wellesley Road passes this point via an underpass. There are tramlines in George Street and along the stretch of Wellesley Road to the north of this junction.
©Philip Talmage
Grant's was formerly Croydon's leading department store. It was recently rebuilt, retaining just the facade (much of which collapsed and had to be painstakingly reassembled) as a multi-screen cinema and entertainments complex, the top of which can be seen looming into the sky above the Victorian brickwork.
©Philip Talmage
Many years ago, when I was a small boy, the Fire Station used to stand on part of the site now occupied by St.George's House. 1960's Croydon needed a larger Fire Station, so the old one was demolished. Sadly; I never did see the engines come racing out, although people might look upon that as a good thing! The Fire Station went, and, with the passage of time, a large hole appeared in the ground. I'd never seen such a huge excavation. Months later, a building started to rise out of the ground, and my parents and I used to check on progress every couple of weeks or so. When the building reached about 8 storeys, we agreed that we understood the need for such a large hole. However, the building continued to rise. When finally completed, there were 24 storeys! Years came and went, and 1974 saw me working in this building, for Nestlé UK Ltd. In a career which spanned over 28 years, I spent 25 years in this building, before "escaping" in 2002. A month later, I was back on a short-term contract, finally leaving in January 2003. Happy days (generally), although when I photograph the building, or pass it, I think I still prefer my freedom!
©Peter Trimming
The Nestlé UK Ltd headquarters, photographed from the Queen's Gardens.
©Peter Trimming
One of Croydon's more talismanic office blocks. A slab-and-podium job by Ronald Ward and Partners, 1962-64. See here for another view: [[[2251365]]]. The building is synonymous with the company it houses, although there are rumours that it is not in good health and its residents want to move. 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.
©Stephen Richards
One of Croydon's more talismanic office blocks. A slab-and-podium job by Ronald Ward and Partners, 1962-64. See here for another view: [[[2251373]]]. The building is synonymous with the company it houses, although there are rumours that it is not in good health and its residents want to move. In front is the former Gas Board offices: [[[2251332]]]. 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.
©Stephen Richards
A covered shopping precinct inside a large, square development by Ronald Ward & Partners in 1962-64. It culminates at the east side with St George's House ([[[2251365]]]), and at the west side with a much smaller block ([[[2631912]]]). The precinct itself is currently rather forlorn, with many empty shops. The design of the roof is such a period piece I do hope it survives. 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.
©Stephen Richards
Inside a large, square development by Ronald Ward & Partners in 1962-64. It includes a covered shopping precinct (behind the photographer and visible ahead, [[[2631973]]]), culminates at the east side with the-partly-visible St George's House ([[[2251365]]]), and at the west side with a much smaller block ([[[2631912]]]). The front of the turquoise curtain-walled block is on Park Street. 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.
©Stephen Richards
©Nigel Chadwick
A distinguished building of 1939-42 by William Newton and Partners (Ernest Newton's son) in a 'Moderne' style. With curved projecting ends, a ground floor with elegantly arched, moulded windows, and upper floors with horizontal strips of windows. The building materials are reconstituted 'Empire' stone on the ground floor and permanent shuttering 'shockcrete' slabs elsewhere. Grade II listed. It was built for the Croydon Gas and Coke Company, and conceived "as part of a planned group of civic buildings around the Town Hall whose erection was curtailed by the Second World War." It is currently empty and disused.
©Stephen Richards

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