The Golden Lane Estate was designed in 1951 as social housing. It was constructed on land that had been devastated by World War II bombing. Built between 1952 and 1972 it has become one of the most celebrated urban housing schemes in the UK.
The competition to select architects – at a time when building materials were still rationed in the years of post-war austerity – meant Golden Lane Estate was from the start keenly observed for its housing standards, townscape and architecture. All of these aspects won international respect.
Now over 60 years old, the estate is unsurprisingly showing signs of wear and tear. But it also suffers from unsatisfactory management, inadequate maintenance and a lack of concern for what makes it so special.
This blog shows why Golden Lane estate is now at risk. It is not at risk of demolition like many post-WW2 estates – but of a steady decline through a thousand cases of poor maintenance and unsympathetic treatment and lack of consideration.
The City of London Corporation – widely estimated to be the wealthiest local government in Europe – built the Golden Lane Estate and still owns the freehold. Building it was an act of imagination and insight but today the City of London runs it to an altogether different horizon of ambition.
Golden Lane at Risk 