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Centre Point

Centre Point is a 32-storey Brutalist skyscraper located at St Giles Circus on the eastern edge of Soho in central London, designed by Richard Seifert and Partners under lead designer George Marsh and completed in 1966.^[1]^[2] At 117 metres tall, it was London's tallest building upon completion and emblemized the speculative office construction surge of the 1960s, developed by property magnate Harry Hyams for £5.5 million using a reinforced concrete frame.^[3]^[4]^[5] Hyams' strategy of withholding occupation to command premium rents kept the tower vacant for almost 20 years despite acute housing shortages, igniting controversies over land speculation and empty prestige properties in a city needing affordable homes.^[6] In 1974, housing activists stormed the unoccupied structure in protest, highlighting public resentment toward such developments amid rising homelessness.^[7] Grade II* listed since 1995 for its architectural significance, Centre Point underwent major refurbishment in the 2010s, converting upper floors to luxury residences while retaining office space below, though sales of apartments lagged due to market conditions.^[1]^[8] This evolution reflects broader shifts in London's property dynamics, from post-war commercial ambition to contemporary mixed-use urban renewal.^[9]

Overview and Specifications

Location and Basic Design

Centre Point is situated at 101–103 New Oxford Street in central London, positioned at the prominent junction of New Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, and Tottenham Court Road, adjacent to St Giles Circus.^[10]^[11] This location places it in the heart of the West End, near key transport hubs including Tottenham Court Road Underground station.^[10] Designed by the architectural practice Richard Seifert and Partners for developer Harry Hyams, the building exemplifies post-war Modernist architecture with a reinforced concrete frame clad in precast panels featuring a distinctive diamond-patterned texture.^[1]^[10] Standing at 117 metres (385 feet) tall, it comprises 32 storeys primarily dedicated to office space, along with ground-level retail and formerly residential elements, making it one of London's earliest skyscrapers completed in 1966.^[3]^[12] The structure's deep floor plates and central core design facilitated large open-plan offices, reflecting the speculative development ethos of the era.^[9]

Technical Specifications

Centre Point stands at a height of 117 metres (385 feet), comprising 34 floors above ground level.^[3]^[13] The structure provides approximately 27,180 square metres of floor space, primarily configured for office use in its original design. Designed by architect Richard Seifert with structural engineering by Pell Frischmann, the building was constructed by Wimpey Construction using prestressed precast reinforced concrete elements.^[14]^[3] The frame consists of exposed vertical concrete columns supporting cantilevered floors, forming a rhythmic grid characteristic of Brutalist architecture.^[15] These columns, arranged in an H-shaped configuration, interlock with precast floor slabs to create the building's skeletal system, which was innovative for its time as one of the earliest uses of structural precast concrete cladding in a high-rise.^[3]^[16] The precast components were fabricated off-site and assembled on location, enabling rapid construction while achieving the necessary strength for London's tallest office tower upon completion in 1966.^[3]^[13]

Specification	Detail
Height	117 m (385 ft)
Floors	34
Floor area	27,180 m² (292,563 sq ft)
Primary material	Prestressed precast concrete
Structural system	Reinforced concrete frame with cantilevered slabs
Architect	Richard Seifert
Engineers	Pell Frischmann
Constructor	Wimpey Construction

Development and Construction

Planning and Approvals

The development of Centre Point originated in the late 1950s when property developer Harry Hyams leased the site at 101-103 New Oxford Street for 150 years at an annual rent of £18,500, commissioning architect Richard Seifert and Partners to design a speculative office tower alongside a nine-storey residential block.^[17]^[11] Hyams pursued the project amid London's post-war office boom, aiming to capitalize on rising demand without pre-committed tenants, a strategy that later drew scrutiny but aligned with permissive planning policies under the Town and Country Planning Act 1947.^[6] Planning permission was sought in mid-August 1959 for an initial scheme comprising two buildings, including a 24-storey tower, on land originally earmarked for a traffic roundabout as part of St Giles Circus redevelopment.^[18] After a prolonged approval process involving negotiations with the London County Council and local authorities, consent was granted in August 1959, marking one of the earliest high-rise office approvals in central London despite emerging concerns over urban density and skyline impact.^[10] The final design evolved to a 32-storey (plus mechanical floors) concrete-framed structure rising to 117 meters, approved without significant recorded height restrictions at the time, reflecting the era's emphasis on modernist reconstruction over preservation.^[1] Approvals proceeded under relaxed height guidelines predating the 1964 government moratorium on new central London office developments imposed by George Brown, allowing Centre Point to advance as a flagship speculative project.^[6] No major public inquiries or overrides were required, though the scheme's scale tested boundaries of post-war planning frameworks favoring economic growth.^[19]

Construction Timeline and Methods

Construction of Centre Point began in 1963 under the direction of architect Richard Seifert and Partners, with leading design input from George Marsh, and was completed in 1966.^[1] The project was executed by Wimpey Construction as speculative office development, achieving a rapid erection pace exceeding one storey per week through efficient prefabrication processes.^[20]^[21] The primary structural method employed reinforced precast concrete panels, marking the first instance of such elements being hung from the frame without scaffolding in a tall London building.^[1] These load-bearing white concrete facade panels, produced via "just-in-time" manufacturing, were fabricated off-site in a precise sequence matching the building's tapered form—requiring unique panels for each of the 34 storeys—and immediately lifted into position upon delivery to minimize on-site delays.^[20] The panels featured polished Capstone precast concrete mullions and incorporated crushed Portland stone for a fine aggregate finish, contributing to the structure's 117-meter height and distinctive geometric grid.^[1] Supporting the tower were paired "wasp-waisted" pilotis at ground level, clad in ceramic mosaic and polished granite.^[1] Engineering innovations included pioneering the deepest foundations in London at the time to ensure stability amid the city's clay subsoil, alongside the inaugural use of planar structural glass for enhanced structural integrity.^[20] Additional features encompassed armour-plate curtain-wall glazing in the link block and early adoption of metal fixings for glazing systems in Britain, reflecting a shift toward industrialized construction techniques amid the 1960s office boom.^[1] Spare precast panels were manufactured as duplicates to facilitate swift replacements, underscoring the method's emphasis on reliability and speed.^[20]

Developer Strategy and Economic Context

Harry Hyams, a prominent property developer, pursued a speculative strategy for Centre Point, constructing the 32-storey office tower without pre-committed tenants to capitalize on anticipated surges in central London office demand and rental yields. Acquired in the late 1950s above St Pancras and Charing Cross Road Underground stations, the site was transformed through securing planning permission in 1960 for a high-rise structure, exempt from prevailing height restrictions as it incorporated ground-level retail and transport uses. This approach aligned with Hyams' broader portfolio of high-risk, high-reward investments, financed via development loans from institutions betting on property appreciation amid loosening post-war regulations.^[22]^[23] The economic context of the early 1960s featured robust UK growth, with annual GDP expansion averaging around 3 percent, driven by manufacturing recovery, service sector expansion, and rising white-collar employment in finance and professional services. London's commercial property market experienced a boom, as wartime bomb damage and outdated stock created acute shortages of modern office space, while the 1954 Town and Country Planning Act and phased removal of 1940s rent controls enabled speculative builds to target premium lettings. Developers like Hyams responded by erecting landmark towers to dominate skylines and command elevated rents, with West End office rates rising from approximately £1 per sq ft in 1960 to over £2 by mid-decade, reflecting derived demand from economic expansion.^[24]^[25] Completed in 1966 at a cost of £5.5 million, Centre Point exemplified this speculative ethos, with Hyams projecting rapid value uplift from its prime location and innovative design by Richard Seifert & Partners, positioning it as a prestige asset amid intensifying competition for Grade A space. Despite initial criticisms of excess, the strategy proved prescient in financial terms, as the building's estimated value reached £50 million by 1973 through capital gains, underscoring the era's property inflation where undeveloped or underutilized assets yielded superior returns to immediate occupation.^[23]^[22]^[26]

Early History and Vacancy

Initial Vacancy and Speculative Holding

Upon its completion in 1966, Centre Point stood vacant as a speculative office development owned by Harry Hyams, who had leased the site for £18,500 annually over 150 years and aimed to lease the 202,000 square feet of space at premium rates amid London's postwar property boom.^[22]^[17] Hyams maintained that he actively sought tenants but could not secure commitments for the full building, attributing the delay to market reluctance for large-scale leases at his targeted rents, though critics contended this reflected a deliberate strategy to withhold occupancy and inflate value through scarcity.^[27]^[28] The prolonged emptiness, lasting until the first tenants arrived in 1975, fueled public outrage during a period of economic stagnation and housing shortages under the Heath government, positioning the tower as a symbol of speculative avarice in property development.^[14]^[7] In January 1974, housing activists from the London Squatters Campaign occupied parts of the unoccupied structure for several days, protesting the contrast between vacant commercial space and widespread residential deprivation, which highlighted broader debates on land use and economic priorities.^[7]^[28] This episode underscored tensions over speculative holding, where developers like Hyams prioritized long-term capital gains over immediate utilization, contributing to perceptions of inefficiency in urban development despite the building's prime location near Tottenham Court Road.^[22]

First Tenants and Operational Challenges

Following the 1974 occupation by housing activists protesting London's homelessness crisis, developer Harry Hyams relented on his strategy of withholding space for a single anchor tenant and began letting floors piecemeal, with the first tenants moving in during 1975.^[29]^[30]^[2] This shift came after nine years of vacancy since completion in 1966, during which Hyams had demanded premium rents exceeding market rates amid a speculative bet on rising office demand.^[30] Early occupancy proved challenging, with take-up remaining sluggish through the late 1970s due to the UK's economic stagnation, including high inflation and recessionary pressures that dampened commercial leasing.^[31] Hyams' insistence on short leases and high premiums deterred potential occupants, exacerbating underutilization despite the building's prime location.^[30] The Confederation of British Industry became the first significant tenant, relocating its headquarters to Centre Point in 1980 and occupying space until 2014.^[5] Operational hurdles included sustaining the structure's upkeep amid partial occupancy, as the innovative deep piled foundations and large glass panels—pioneering for their time—incurred elevated maintenance demands without full revenue streams to offset costs.^[20] Public scrutiny over the building's symbolism as unused prestige space further complicated tenant recruitment, with ongoing activism highlighting it as emblematic of property speculation over utility.^[28]

Architectural Evaluation

Initial Criticisms and Brutalist Style

Upon its completion in 1966, Centre Point's Brutalist design—characterized by precast concrete cladding, a modular grid of deep-set windows, and a sheer, fortress-like massing—drew sharp rebukes for its perceived brutality and incongruity with London's historic streetscape. Architect Richard Seifert employed béton brut techniques, exposing the raw texture of concrete panels to emphasize structural honesty and industrial efficiency, aligning with Brutalism's post-war ethos of unadorned functionality over ornamentation.^[32] However, at 117 metres tall and comprising 32 storeys, the tower's monolithic scale overwhelmed the low-rise environs of St Giles Circus, prompting accusations of visual aggression.^[4] Prominent critics lambasted the building's aesthetic as crude and opportunistic. Architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner condemned it as "coarse in the extreme," highlighting its lack of refinement and sensitivity to context amid the Georgian terraces of New Oxford Street.^[5] Fellow architect Ernö Goldfinger dismissed it as "London's pop-art skyscraper," critiquing the populist flair of its chamfered corners and glazed entrance podium as a superficial bid for modernity rather than genuine innovation.^[4] These views echoed wider 1960s debates on high-rise development, where Brutalist forms were faulted for alienating pedestrians and prioritizing speculative profit—exemplified by developer Harry Hyams's decision to leave the offices vacant for speculation—over humane urban integration.^[33] The structure's repetitive, bunker-like facade and elevated service core further fueled perceptions of inhumanity, with detractors arguing it exemplified Brutalism's excesses in favoring monumental gesture over contextual harmony.^[34] Despite such initial hostility, the design's engineering feats, including slip-form construction without scaffolding, underscored Seifert's pragmatic adaptation of Brutalist principles to commercial imperatives.^[35]

Long-Term Recognition and Heritage Status

Despite initial widespread criticism for its brutalist design and perceived contribution to urban speculation, Centre Point gradually gained appreciation as a landmark of post-war commercial architecture in London. By the 1990s, architectural historians and preservationists recognized its innovative use of precast concrete elements, geometric massing, and role in shaping the city's skyline, marking a shift from derision to acknowledgment of its technical and aesthetic merits.^[1] On 24 November 1995, Centre Point was designated a Grade II listed building by the Secretary of State for National Heritage, under the statutory framework administered by what is now Historic England, for being of special architectural or historic interest.^[1] The listing citation highlights the structure as "one of the most important speculative office developments of its period in Britain," emphasizing its pioneering construction techniques, including the deep basement and piled foundations that supported the 32-storey tower amid challenging site conditions.^[1] This status imposes restrictions on alterations to preserve original features like the ribbed concrete facade and aluminum glazing, ensuring long-term protection while allowing adaptive reuse, as demonstrated in subsequent refurbishments.^[36] The heritage designation has elevated Centre Point's status in broader discussions of 20th-century modernism, with critics now viewing it as an exemplar of Richard Seifert's prolific output and the era's economic optimism.^[16] Ongoing maintenance and the 2010s redevelopment, which integrated energy-efficient upgrades without compromising the listed elevations, underscore its enduring cultural significance as an icon of London's mid-century built environment.^[37]

Redevelopment and Current Use

Ownership Changes and Conversion Plans

In 2005, Targetfollow acquired Centre Point from Blackmoor LP for £85 million, after which the building achieved full occupancy for the first time since its 1966 completion through extensive refurbishment efforts.^[38]^[39] Targetfollow, a Norwich-based firm owned by Iranian entrepreneur Ardeshir Naghshineh, held the property amid its broader portfolio expansion before facing financial pressures that led to administration proceedings.^[39] In 2011, property investment firm Almacantar—part-owned by the Agnelli family of Fiat fame—purchased Centre Point for £120 million, shifting focus toward redevelopment.^[40]^[41] Almacantar initiated conversion plans in 2015 to transform the 32-storey office tower into luxury residential use, targeting high-net-worth buyers with a £350 million refit that preserved the brutalist structure while adding modern interiors.^[42]^[43] Designed by Conran + Partners, the project yielded 82 apartments (16 one-bedroom, 37 two-bedroom, 26 three-bedroom, two four-bedroom, and one five-bedroom penthouse), with the top unit initially marketed for up to £50 million.^[42]^[43] The wider scheme incorporated 13 affordable units in adjacent low-rise blocks, 41,780 square feet of new retail space, and a pedestrianised public square to enhance connectivity between Oxford Street, Soho, and Covent Garden, timed with the 2018 Crossrail opening at Tottenham Court Road.^[42]^[40]

Residential Transformation and Amenities

In 2011, developer Almacantar acquired Centre Point with plans to convert the long-vacant office tower into residential use, culminating in the creation of 82 luxury apartments ranging from one-bedroom units of approximately 70 square metres to a 675-square-metre duplex penthouse.^[44]^[9] Construction on the residential transformation began in January 2015, with the first residents moving in by mid-2018 after extensive refurbishment that preserved the building's Brutalist structure while integrating modern interiors designed by Conran and Partners.^[45]^[46] The apartments feature high-end finishes, including engineered oak flooring, underfloor heating, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views over central London, with sale prices starting at nearly £2 million for one-bedrooms and reaching up to £60 million for top-floor duplexes.^[46]^[47] Resident amenities emphasize exclusivity and wellness, centered on the first floor with a 30-metre curved infinity lap pool—the longest above-ground pool in London—extending along the building's length and providing vistas of Oxford Street.^[48]^[47] Adjacent facilities include a gym, spa with treatment rooms, sauna, and steam cabins, all accessible 24 hours via concierge and security services.^[49]^[50] Social spaces comprise a club lounge for relaxation and events, a private dining room, and a cinema room, designed to foster community among occupants while maintaining privacy in the high-density urban setting.^[51]^[44] These features position Centre Point as a premium residential destination, contrasting its prior office vacancy with contemporary luxury tailored to affluent buyers seeking central London proximity without traditional townhouse constraints.^[52]

Tenant Profile and Market Impact

The redevelopment of Centre Point has shifted its upper levels to primarily residential use, accommodating 82 luxury apartments designed by Conran & Partners, targeted at high-net-worth individuals and international investors seeking premium West End properties with views over London.^[53] These units, ranging from one to four bedrooms and featuring high-specification finishes, private lobbies, and amenities such as a spa, gym, and concierge services, command prices in the multimillion-pound range; for instance, a 2,133-square-foot apartment on the 18th floor was marketed emphasizing its lateral layout and proximity to Tottenham Court Road station.^[54] Occupancy has been gradual, with approximately half of the apartments unsold as of late 2018 amid Brexit uncertainties, tax changes on non-domiciled buyers, and broader softening in London's luxury market, leading developers Almacantar to temporarily withdraw units from sale.^[8] Complementing the private residences, the development includes 13 affordable housing units in a low-rise block adjacent to the tower, intended for local Camden residents but accessed via separate "poor doors" to maintain the exclusivity of the main entrance, a configuration criticized for reinforcing social divisions in housing provision.^[41] The lower podium levels retain commercial elements, including retail units, restaurants, and limited office space, which have attracted footfall through alfresco dining and public realm enhancements like St Giles Square, fostering a mixed-use environment that integrates with the surrounding regeneration of Tottenham Court Road.^[55] In terms of market impact, Centre Point's conversion exemplifies the trend of repurposing mid-20th-century office towers into luxury residential assets amid London's evolving property dynamics, where demand from overseas investors has driven up prime central values while local affordability pressures intensify.^[56] The £162 million project, completed around 2018, has elevated the area's appeal by adding high-end amenities and public spaces, contributing to increased economic activity through tourism and retail, though it underscores challenges in balancing speculative investment with broader housing needs, as evidenced by the limited affordable component relative to total units.^[57] This model has influenced subsequent developments in the West End, prioritizing global capital inflows over mass-market occupancy, with the building's Grade II listing preserving its Brutalist facade while enabling modern internal adaptations that sustain rental yields in a competitive market.^[40]

Property Speculation and Economic Critiques

Centre Point was developed by Harry Hyams as a speculative office project, constructed between 1963 and 1966 at a cost of £5.5 million, with the intent to lease space at elevated rates amid London's postwar commercial property boom.^[23] Hyams leased the site from the Greater London Council for £18,500 annually over 150 years and insisted on securing a single major tenant for the entire 202,000 square feet to maximize returns, leading to the building remaining vacant for nearly a decade despite completion in 1966.^[5] ^[27] Hyams' strategy reflected a calculated bet on rising central London office demand, as economic conditions in the early 1970s downturn delayed suitable lessees willing to meet his rent thresholds; by 1973, the unoccupied structure's estimated value had climbed to £30 million, validating the appreciation in land and building worth.^[23] Initial lettings began in 1975, with floors gradually occupied, demonstrating the viability of withholding occupancy to await market upturns in a sector where rental yields were projected to increase with urban expansion.^[5] This approach, common in 1960s speculative developments, prioritized capital gains over immediate income, contributing to Hyams' portfolio profits but sparking policy responses like the introduction of rates on vacant properties.^[58] Economic critiques framed Centre Point as emblematic of inefficient resource allocation under speculative holding, with housing activists and commentators arguing it exemplified how developer strategies inflated property values while prime urban space lay idle during periods of housing scarcity in London.^[22] Labour figures and media outlets, often highlighting systemic issues in property markets, decried the vacancy—lasting until partial occupation in the mid-1970s—as a moral failing of unchecked capitalism, though such views overlooked the building's commercial orientation and the eventual high-rent tenancies that followed market recovery.^[7] ^[28] Despite these reproaches, empirical outcomes showed the tactic's success in capturing value from London's agglomeration economies, where delayed leasing aligned with sustained rental escalation into the 1980s.^[23]

1974 Squatters' Protest and Housing Symbolism

In January 1974, amid London's acute housing shortage, a group of approximately 20 squatters and housing activists occupied the vacant Centre Point tower, breaking in through the main entrance by disguising themselves as security personnel.^[7]^[29] The occupation, which began around 5:30 p.m. on January 18 or 19, lasted roughly two days, during which the protesters hung banners proclaiming the building's availability for homeless residents and highlighted its prolonged vacancy since completion in 1967 despite rising homelessness in the capital.^[59] Organized by direct-action groups including elements of the London squatting movement, the action aimed to draw public attention to the contrast between the empty 32-story office block—capable of housing thousands—and the city's estimated 10,000-plus rough sleepers and overcrowded tenements at the time.^[28] Police evicted the occupants on January 20 after cutting power and water to the building, with no arrests reported due to the brief nature of the intrusion, though the owner, developer Harry Hyams' Whitehall Securities, pursued legal action for damages estimated at £10,000.^[7]^[29] The protest received media coverage in outlets like The Times and The Guardian, amplifying calls from figures such as Labour MP Tony Banks for the government to requisition empty commercial properties for social housing under existing wartime-era powers, though no such measures were implemented for Centre Point.^[28] Centre Point's vacancy—spanning over seven years while Hyams rejected tenants unwilling to pay premium rents exceeding £1 million annually in today's terms—positioned it as a focal point for critiques of property speculation in 1970s Britain, where office developments were held empty to await peak market conditions amid post-war urban renewal.^[7] One squatter described the structure as "the concrete symbol of everything that is rotten about our society," encapsulating left-leaning narratives of capitalist excess prioritizing profit over need, though defenders of Hyams argued the holdout reflected rational response to volatile commercial leasing amid economic stagnation and high inflation.^[60] The episode fueled broader debates on urban policy, influencing discussions in Parliament on unused buildings but yielding no immediate policy shifts, as the tower remained untenanted until 1975 when it secured high-profile corporate lessees like the American life insurance firm International Life.^[28] Mainstream accounts, often from outlets sympathetic to housing activism, emphasize the protest's role in spotlighting inequality, yet empirical data on London's 1970s rental vacancy rates—around 10-15% for offices—suggests Centre Point was not anomalous but part of a market awaiting demand recovery post-1973 oil crisis.^[7] The redevelopment of Centre Point into residential use, completed in phases from 2016 onward, included only 13 affordable housing units in a separate low-rise structure known as White Lion House, comprising 5 units at social rent levels and 8 at 80% of market rent.^[61]^[62] These units represented approximately 13.5% of the total development's housing output, falling short of Camden Council's policy requirement for 40-50% affordable housing on-site; instead, developer Almacantar paid a £6 million commuted sum to the council for off-site public realm improvements.^[61] The main 34-storey tower houses 82 luxury apartments, with the cheapest one-bedroom unit priced at £1.8 million for 70 square meters and a two-storey penthouse listed at £55 million, targeting high-net-worth individuals and overseas investors rather than local residents facing London's acute housing shortages.^[61]^[63] This configuration has drawn criticism for institutionalizing social segregation through physical design features, including separate "poor doors" and entrances for affordable tenants, isolating them from the luxury tower's private amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, and cinema room, which are accessible only to full-market payers.^[61]^[62] Such separations echo broader controversies in London developments, where affluent residents are shielded from lower-income neighbors to preserve property values, contributing to a stratified urban fabric that concentrates wealth in central locations while displacing working-class households to peripheral boroughs.^[61] Housing advocates, including groups like Architects for Social Housing, argue that this model fails to alleviate Camden's housing waiting list—over 5,500 households as of 2018—by prioritizing speculative luxury sales, with 30% of new central London builds in 2017 going to overseas buyers amid a glut of 3,000 unsold high-end units citywide.^[62] The absence of meaningful affordable integration in Centre Point's core structure perpetuates economic exclusion in a prime West End site, where proximity to employment and transport amplifies the opportunity cost for lower-income Londoners; average local rents exceed £2,000 monthly, rendering central living unattainable without subsidies.^[63] Critics contend this reflects systemic market incentives favoring developer profits—Almacantar invested £350 million—over public needs, mirroring the building's 1970s vacancy as a symbol of underutilized space during housing scarcity, though campaigners note the current luxury focus represents a "missed opportunity" for substantive social housing provision in a borough with historically high demand.^[63]^[62] Empirical data from London's housing market underscores the segregative effect, with new builds like Centre Point correlating to rising inequality metrics, as central boroughs see resident incomes skew higher while affordable stock dwindles relative to population growth.^[63]

Urban and Cultural Influence

Impact on London Skyline and Development

Centre Point, designed by Richard Seifert and Partners and completed in 1966, stands at 117 metres tall with 32 storeys, representing one of London's earliest post-war skyscrapers and introducing a vertical scale previously rare in the city's central districts.^[2]^[1] Its concrete-framed structure, clad in prefabricated panels, created a stark, geometric silhouette that contrasted sharply with the surrounding low-rise Georgian and Victorian architecture, altering the visual profile of the West End around Tottenham Court Road and New Oxford Street.^[4] The tower's prominence during the 1960s office boom symbolized a departure from height restrictions that had historically limited London buildings to around 100 feet, paving the way for taller commercial developments by demonstrating the economic viability of high-rise office space in high-value locations.^[6] Constructed amid rapid urban expansion, it exemplified developer Harry Hyams' speculative model, where withholding occupancy maximized rental yields, influencing investment strategies that prioritized landmark buildings to command premium rents and reshape commercial districts.^[4] Although initially criticized for its brutalist aesthetics and prolonged vacancy—remaining empty until 1972—Centre Point's Grade II listing in 1995 affirmed its architectural merit, underscoring its role in challenging conservative planning norms and catalyzing acceptance of modernist high-rises that contributed to London's evolving skyline, even as stricter height controls persisted until the 21st century.^[1]^[36] Its endurance amid later skyscraper clusters highlights a foundational impact on development patterns, shifting focus toward mixed-use towers in central areas.^[4]

References in Media and Popular Culture

Centre Point has appeared in various films as a symbol of London's modernist architecture and urban landscape. In the 1977 horror film The Medusa Touch, directed by Jack Gold and starring Richard Burton, the building features in scenes highlighting its imposing presence amid catastrophic events. In Danny Boyle's 2002 zombie apocalypse film 28 Days Later, protagonist Jim (Cillian Murphy) walks past Centre Point in the opening sequences depicting a virus-ravaged, empty London, underscoring the tower's role in evoking desolation in a familiar cityscape. The structure also served as a filming location for the 2019 drama Adrift in Soho, set in 1950s London and capturing the area's bohemian vibe before the tower's completion. In television, Centre Point provided exterior shots for the 2018 Netflix miniseries Collateral, a thriller created by David Hare, where its central location facilitated scenes of urban tension in contemporary London. The building has been referenced in literature to critique property development and social change. In Patricia Hall's 2004 crime novel Blood Brothers, set during the tower's 1963 construction, a mutilated corpse is discovered on the site, intertwining murder investigation with the era's speculative building boom.^[64] Maureen Duffy's 1975 novel Capital invokes Centre Point as emblematic of London's unchecked growth, contrasting its scale with persistent housing shortages and inadequate infrastructure.^[65]

Accessibility and Infrastructure

Transport Connections

Centre Point benefits from excellent public transport connectivity in central London, with Tottenham Court Road Underground station situated approximately 190 metres to the southeast, offering services on the Central, Northern, and Elizabeth lines. This station, redeveloped and reopened in 2021 with enhanced step-free access via lifts, facilitates rapid connections across the city, including to Heathrow Airport via the Elizabeth line.^[66]^[67] Additional nearby Underground stations include Goodge Street, about 400 metres north, served by the Northern line, and Holborn, roughly 500 metres east, with Central and Piccadilly line access; Oxford Circus station, approximately 600 metres west, connects to the Bakerloo, Central, and Victoria lines. These options provide comprehensive coverage of London's Underground network, Zone 1.^[66]^[68] Multiple bus routes operated by Transport for London traverse New Oxford Street directly adjacent to the building, including daytime services 1 (to Canada Water), 14 (to Putney Heath), 19 (to Battersea Bridge), 24 (to Hampstead Heath), and 188 (to North Greenwich), alongside night buses such as N8, N25, and N242. Bus stops like New Oxford Street / Centre Point enable frequent services, with Oyster card or contactless payments accepted; fares start at £1.75 for single journeys.^[69]^[66]^[70] While no National Rail mainline station is immediately adjacent, Tottenham Court Road's Elizabeth line links to major terminals like Paddington and Liverpool Street, and onward connections reach stations such as Charing Cross or Euston within 10-15 minutes. Cycling infrastructure includes Santander Cycle hire docking stations nearby, and black taxi ranks are available at Tottenham Court Road.^[68]^[71]

Surrounding Public Spaces

The area immediately surrounding Centre Point, known as St Giles Circus, was originally designed in the 1960s as a traffic gyratory system with a central pedestrian plaza featuring decorative fountains, intended to facilitate vehicle circulation around the newly constructed tower.^[37] This layout prioritized vehicular flow over pedestrian amenity, resulting in a concrete-dominated space criticized for its stark Brutalist aesthetic and limited accessibility amid heavy bus and car traffic.^[72] As part of preparations for the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) Tottenham Court Road station, opened in 2022, the original fountains were demolished starting around 2011 to enable underground construction and surface reconfiguration, transforming the site from a traffic island into a more pedestrian-oriented environment.^[44] The redevelopment, spanning over 12 years and funded through adjacent property developments, replaced the gyratory with St Giles Square, a 25,000 m² pedestrianized public realm linking Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, and Soho.^[37]^[72] St Giles Square, designed by MICA Architects, incorporates zoned public spaces including clear pedestrian circulation paths, fixed seating beneath mature trees, and flexible central areas for events, pop-up markets, and alfresco dining, fostering a "calm oasis" at the base of Centre Point.^[37]^[73] This reconfiguration eliminated bus routes through the square, enhancing safety and vibrancy while integrating with the station's entrances and supporting over 2,000-person capacity event spaces nearby.^[74]^[72]

References

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[11]
[PDF] CENTRE POINT 101–103 NEW OXFORD STREET London WC2
In the late 1950s the developer Harry Hyams commissioned the architect Richard Seifert to design a tall office block, a nine-storey housing development, both ...
[12]
Centre Point - Stourflex
The building is 117 m (385 ft) high, has 34 floors and 27,180 m2 (292,563 sq ft) of floor space. Constructed from 1963 to 1966, it was one of the first ...Missing: specifications height
[13]
Centre Point - London - Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
117.3 m / 385 ft 2 Architectural: Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the ...Missing: specifications | Show results with:specifications
[14]
Centre Point - Wikipedia
Constructed from 1963 to 1966, it was one of the first skyscrapers in London, and as of 2009 was the city's joint 27th-tallest building. It stood empty from the ...Construction and history · Transport · Cultural references
[15]
St Giles Square, Centre Point London building - e-architect
Feb 23, 2024 · The building was designed by Richard Seifert with engineers Pell Frischmann and was constructed by Wimpey Construction from 1963 to 1966 for £ ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[16]
https://micaarchitects.com/news/back-to-the-point-centre-point-features-in-concrete-quarterly
[17]
Back to the Point - Centre Point features in Concrete Quarterly - MICA
Sep 20, 2017 · When Centre Point was completed in 1965, it was London's tallest office tower and heralded as an iconic symbol of the swinging sixties.
[18]
Centre Point | Architectuul
Centre Point Tower was one of the first skyscrapers in London. The building was designed by George Marsh of the architects R. Seifert and Partners.Missing: height floors
[19]
Why Centre Point doesn't stand in the middle of a roundabout | Society
Mar 1, 2015 · A mid-seventies account of how and why London acquired one of its most controversial tall buildings still reads resonantly today.Missing: notable redevelopment
[20]
Harry Hyams: Property developer who built up an empire
Dec 22, 2015 · Although the construction of Centre Point is now regarded as one of the most important developments in post-war Britain, at the time it sparked ...
[21]
Trailblazers: Centre Point, London | Comment | Building
Jun 20, 2018 · Few buildings anywhere are more innovative than Centre Point. It involved the first use of planar structural glass and pioneered the deepest foundations of ...
[22]
Centre Point, WC2H - The Underground Map
Constructed by Wimpey Construction between 1963 to 1966, it was one of the first skyscrapers in London. It was built as speculative office space by property ...
[23]
Harry Hyams obituary | Construction industry - The Guardian
Dec 20, 2015 · However, he undertook one property development – Centre Point, an office tower in the heart of London at the eastern end of Oxford Street ...
[24]
Harry Hyams - The Times
Dec 22, 2015 · Centre Point was completed in 1966 at a cost of £5.5 million. However, within seven years and still without tenants, its value was estimated at ...Missing: investment rationale
[25]
The UK economy in the 1960s - Economics Essays
Apr 6, 2016 · In the 1960s, economic growth translated into rising living standards, with households able to purchase a greater range of 'white goods' and cars.
[26]
[PDF] The Late 20th-Century Commercial Office - Historic England
Speculative commercial developments came to dominate the urban property markets of the great merchant cities but above all London, the UK's pre-eminent ...
[27]
Global Rise of the British Property Development Sector, 1945–1975
Jan 8, 2024 · This article surveys the rise, financialization, and imperially inflected internationalization of the British property development sector in this period.
[28]
ENTREPRENEURS: Harry's Sore Point - Time Magazine
Jul 24, 1972 · That streamlined approach is the main reason for the mystery of Centre Point. Hyams claims that he has been actively seeking a tenant for Centre ...Missing: rationale | Show results with:rationale
[29]
Fifty years on, could we see another Centre Point-style housing ...
Jan 17, 2024 · In January 1974, campaigners took over a large vacant tower block in central London to protest against the housing crisis.Missing: context | Show results with:context
[30]
From the archive, 1974: Centre Point taken at last - The Guardian
Jan 17, 2024 · 19 January 1974: Last night, the empty tower block was illegally occupied by demonstrators concerned about the housing situation in London.Missing: vacancy occupancy
[31]
Harry Hyams: Property developer who built up an empire
Dec 22, 2015 · Refusing to consider multiple letting, Hyams left the tower unoccupied until 1975 and stood accused of keeping it empty because the growth in ...
[32]
London's Centre Point building - Matthew Plummer's blog
Oct 27, 2012 · Construction started immediately. The use of pre-cast concrete removed the need for scaffolding and shortened the building phase, and Centre ...
[33]
Richard Seifert: British Brutalist Architect
Richard Seifert: British Brutalist Architect is designed by Stefi Orazi, whose own books and Modernist Estates blog show her passion for mid-century buildings.
[34]
IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Centre of attention
Jun 1, 2011 · IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Centre of attention. Centre Point, the famous London landmark, has been sold again to private equity-style investors.Missing: notable redevelopment
[35]
How London's brutalist Centre Point tower is being turned into luxury ...
Jan 26, 2015 · A beehive of concrete and glass, its brutalist-style was regarded as an eyesore on the skyline and the fact that a building of its height (it is ...
[36]
Space House: 1960s icon gets another chance to shine
Nov 11, 2024 · The most famous of these – Centrepoint, by Tottenham Court Road Tube station – was converted into flats in 2018, and Birmingham's Alpha Tower ...
[37]
Richard Seiferts Centre Point building - Londons skyscraper that has ...
The design was criticised at the time but finally recognised when Centre Point became a Grade II listed building in 1995. Image by NordWood Themes.Missing: heritage | Show results with:heritage
[38]
Centre Point and St Giles Square, London|Public Space
MICA Architects: St Giles Square, Centre Point is a major urban square and building renovation in Central London. A holistic urban renewal comprising new ...
[39]
Centre Point, London — Targetfollow
We acquired Centre Point in 2005 and during our ownership the building became fully let for the first time since its construction in 1964. This enhanced the ...
[40]
Property start-up close to buying Centre Point from administrator
May 31, 2019 · Norwich-based Targetfollow was owned by Iranian entrepreneur Ardeshir Naghshineh and bought Centre Point in 2005 for around £90m. ... Targetfollow ...
[41]
Building study: MICA's redevelopment of Centre Point
Oct 30, 2018 · In Centre Point House, several slabs have been removed to form a cathedral-like space, extending over 7m up to new clerestory glazing, carving ...
[42]
Centre Point | LONDON INTELLIGENCE
Centre Point is being refurbished, with 82 new luxury apartments for global investors but only 13 'affordable' flats for local people.
[43]
Centre Point: Almacantar begins converting London's concrete ...
Jan 27, 2015 · The work is expected to take two-and-a-half years.Missing: permission | Show results with:permission<|control11|><|separator|>
[44]
Conran and Partners unveils residential conversion of Centre Point
Mar 28, 2018 · Richard Seifert's celebrated Centre Point tower in London has been restored and converted into apartments by architecture firm Conran and Partners.Missing: construction | Show results with:construction
[45]
Centre Point - London - Almacantar
... residential, retail, commercial and affordable housing space arrayed around ... amenities including a Lounge, Dining Room, Cinema Room, Treatment Rooms ...
[46]
Centre Point redevelopment starts on site | News | Building
Jan 26, 2015 · Work to transform 1960s London landmark Centre Point into an 82-home luxury block with lower-floor restaurant and retail space has started on site.Missing: residential units
[47]
Projects: Centre Point - the ugly duckling | Features | Building
Apr 5, 2018 · Rick Mather Architects has been responsible for designing the refurbishment of its lower-rise buildings and exorcising the abysmal public realm ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts<|separator|>
[48]
Centre Point Tower - Conran and Partners
The design utilises the generous floorplates to create apartments with generous daylight and, from the tenth floor upwards, spectacular uninterrupted panoramic ...Missing: features | Show results with:features
[49]
How London's iconic tower was reworked into high flying homes
The floor above is no longer home to rows of desks but the longest above-ground swimming pool in the city – a curved infinity pool offering views over Oxford ...<|separator|>
[50]
Centre Point Residences, 103 New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DB
Amenities: • 24-hour concierge and security • First-floor spa • 30-metre ... Centre Point Residences has just 82 top-class homes with 1, 2, and 3 ...
[51]
Centre Point, London - Devin Consulting
Residents' amenities include a 30m lap pool & poolside sauna and steam cabins. Project role. To develop the design of the pool & spa elements with the ...Missing: residential transformation
[52]
Centre Point's amenities by Conran and Partners unveiled
Aug 19, 2022 · There's a club lounge, which all residents can use to sit, relax and party, as well as a book-able private dinning area; there's also a spa and a screen room.
[53]
London's Centre Point emerges from its epic transformation
Mar 29, 2018 · Amenities include a first-floor swimming pool, gym and sauna. A ... Tags: Adaptive reuseBrutalismConran & PartnersLondon Property. Most ...
[54]
Centre Point: Home
Set serenely above the bustle of the West End, these 82 APARTMENTS are contemporary classics, crafted by renowned British designers Conran & Partners.Apartments · Neighbourhood · Design · Contact
[55]
Centre Point Residences, 103 New Oxford Street, Covent Garden ...
This 2133 sqft apartment has stunning views over the West End and occupies a generous half-floorplate of the 18th floor, with a private lobby entrance and ...
[56]
How London's Tottenham Court Road has been transformed | WIRED
The redesign of Centre Point has led this transition. The brutalist tower has been reworked from an office building into luxury residences, with a plaza at its ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
[57]
Discovering Centre Point House: A Guide to London's Iconic ...
Feb 5, 2025 · Designed by the renowned architect Richard Seifert, the building was initially conceived as a speculative office development. Its construction ...Missing: boom | Show results with:boom
[58]
Waverley Help Iconic 60s Tower Block Centre Point Transform
The iconic skyscraper was designed by architect Richard Seifert's practice and, when built in 1966, it captured the adventurous spirit of 1960's London.
[59]
An independent partnership of Chartered Surveyors - RATCLIFFES
Nov 24, 2021 · Centrepoint was the catalyst for the introduction of payable rates on empty buildings. Its developer, the legendary Harry Hyams, was wrongly ...Missing: rationale | Show results with:rationale
[60]
Working Class History on X: "#OtD 18 Jan 1974 a group of squatters ...
#OtD 18 Jan 1974 a group of squatters and direct action housing campaigners organised a 2 day occupation of Centrepoint in London in protest to it being left ...
[61]
The Rolling Stones, Vince Taylor, Denis Nilsen and the History of ...
Apr 28, 2020 · The vast empty tower soon gained the nickname “London's Empty Skyscraper” and the first organised protests took place in 1969. Calling the ...Missing: operational | Show results with:operational
[62]
How Centre Point attracts the rich and sidelines the poor | Housing
Jun 8, 2018 · An 18-year-old student from China has become one of the first residents to move into Centre Point, the 1960s brutalist office tower that has ...
[63]
Supply and Demand in Centre Point Residences
Nov 6, 2018 · This means that a lot of the housing that gets built will be for market sale, and some of it will be the sort of multi-million-pound apartments ...
[64]
Centre Point: Love to Loathe | LONDON INTELLIGENCE
Centre Point's fresh controversy over its lack of affordable homes connects strongly with its past. In the 1970s, despite its pre-cast concrete Brutalist ...
[65]
Blood Brothers (Kate O'Donnell, book 4) by Patricia Hall
Blood Brothers ... It's 1963. A badly mutilated corpse is discovered on the site of the new Centre Point Tower currently under construction in London's West End.
[66]
Maureen Duffy: Capital (1975) - Literary London Society
... Centre Point, and the lack of basic plumbing in a shockingly high number of London residences. (Some of the historian's poor and savvy students, in fact ...
[67]
How to Get to Centre Point in Soho by Tube, Bus or Train? - Moovit
Oct 18, 2025 · Directions to Centre Point (Soho) with public transport. The following transport lines have routes that pass near Centre Point. Bus: 14, 188, 19 ...Missing: connections | Show results with:connections
[68]
Centre Point 101-103, New Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1DB ...
There are fantastic transport links including Tottenham Court Road (Central, Northern and Elizabeth Lines / less than 0.1 mile) and Oxford Circus (Victoria, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[69]
Nearby New Oxford Street - Transport for London
Bus stop D. Taxi ranks. Coventry Street (Trocadero). Goodge Street Underground Station. Northern. Tube station. Taxi ranks. Wells Street (Project London).
[70]
New Oxford Street - Transport for London
New Oxford Street · Bus routes served by this stop · First and last services, timetables and route details · Plan a journey · Search for another station · About TfL.
[71]
London Bus Route 1
Route transferred to Go Ahead/ London General. NEW OXFORD STREET Centre Point - CANADA WATER New operator. VWL42 Waterloo Bridge ...<|separator|>
[72]
How to use London buses: fares, routes and travel tips - Visit London
London buses are all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card to ride. The bus fare in London is £1.75, and a day of bus- ...
[73]
St Giles Circus - Buro Happold
The 25,000m<sup>2</sup> development improves connectivity between Bloomsbury, Covent Garden and Soho. The project includes an 2000-person capacity event gallery ...
[74]
St Giles Square, London - GreenBlue Urban
St, Giles Square, formerly a busy bus route, was closed to traffic to create a calm oasis at the foot of the Centrepoint Tower and the Central St. Giles ...Missing: public | Show results with:public
[75]
St Giles Square, Centre Point - New London Architecture
St Giles Square is the transformative public centrepiece of projects at Tottenham Court Road with the Crossrail station the impetus for change.