Objections mount over proposed demolition of Islington landmark
View of Angel Square from City Road in March 2022 (Credit: Wikipedia)
The proposed replacement office building by architects AHMM (Credit: Planning Documents))
Before and after (Credit: Architects' Journal)
The grade II listed former Co-operative bank building opposite Angel Square (Credit: Wikipedia)
The Islington High Street elevation of Angel Square, which sits above Angel Tube (Credit: Derwent Lo
5th May 2022
SAVE Britain’s Heritage has objected to plans to demolish Angel Square, a post-modern office building at the gateway to Angel in north London. Under the plans submitted by US real estate firm Tishman Speyer, the existing 1992 office building at 1 Torrens Street would be stripped to its core structure and rebuilt to designs by architects AHMM, with an additional 2-storeys added to the rooftop. The existing courtyard at the heart of the building would also be infilled and the floor plate reconfigured and enlarged.
Completed in 1992 by architect’s Rock Townsend, the current office building has become something of a local landmark. With its Italianate bell tower, distinctive cream and terracotta band brickwork and curved corner silhouette, the building was carefully designed to mark the prominent junction between City Road and Islington High Street, whilst also respecting its setting on the boundary of three adjacent conservation areas and proximity to nearby historic buildings such as the grade II listed Co-operative bank building opposite.
In our letter to London Borough of Islington Council opposing the plans, we have emphasised the importance and rarity of post-modernist buildings like Angel Square, which represented a concerted break from the predominant trend for modernist architecture at the time they were built. Relatively few examples of post-modern architecture of this scale, design and landmark quality remain in London today, making this building an important and significant historic survivor in architectural terms.
The proposals have also drawn opposition from the Twentieth Century Society, and are currently being considered by Islington Council, with a decision expected in the coming months.
CLICK HERE to view our letter of objection.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. For more information and images contact Benedict Oakley: ben.oakley@savebritainsheritage.org / 020 7253 3500.
2. SAVE Britain's Heritage is a strong, independent voice in conservation that fights for threatened historic buildings and sustainable reuses. We stand apart from other organisations by bringing together architects, engineers, planners and investors to offer viable alternative proposals. Where necessary, and with expert advice, we take legal action to prevent major and needless losses.