Retaining Walls, Ramp, Steps, Staircases, Bench And Raised Paving

TQ 78 NW BASILDON EAST SQUARE

717/6/10008 Retaining walls, ramp, steps, staircases, bench and raised paving

GV II

Townscape designed in conjunction with Brooke House, 1962, Architect Anthony B Davies, chief architect and planner to Basildon Development Corporation; Sir Basil Spence, consultant adviser Oil town centre. Sunken square designed to complement Brooke House. Broad flight of steps to lower level along west side, curved ramp with cobble clad retaining walls and concrete coping to parapet, in front of steps, and upper ramp, also with cobble cladding to retaining walls, with painted steel railings and hardwood handrail above. East side has double 'row' shops at ground and first floor (part of Freedom House and not included in listing), with projecting 'L' plan reinforced concrete staircase, with precast treads on cranked r.c. carriage beam and with painted steel railings, with hardwood handrail, above. At foot of staircase is purpose-designed bench with vertical slats of teak fixed to a light tubular steel framework. Part of a group with Brooke House (qv) which it is designed to complement. (Architectural Review: Browne K: A new look at Basildon Town Centre, November 1962: 332- 335; Planning for Man and Motor, London: Ritter P: Basildon New Town Main Centre: Pergamon Press: 1964-: 221; Architects Journal: Shops and flats at Basildon, 10 December 1962: 1962-,: 1381- 9; Architect and Building News, 13 February 1963: Tower block, Basildon: 1963-: 239-43).

Listing NGR: TQ7054688609