66-77, BROMLEY ROAD

A block of twelve flats, built between 1949 and 1950 by Fry, Drew and Partners, with job architect J B Shaw, for the Lewisham Metropolitan Borough. Ove Arup and Partners were the engineers involved. The building is constructed of sand-lime bricks with concrete floor slabs, featuring flat roofs with projecting eaves. It provides two and three-bedroom flats, along with ground floor stores and refuse rooms located at the base of each of the two staircases. The block is three storeys high and arranged symmetrically, set perpendicularly to Bromley Road to minimise traffic noise. Upper-floor flats have projecting concrete balconies with metal balustrades. Original steel windows with opening casements are set within concrete sills and lintels, a key original feature. Return windows at the ends of the block are similarly styled, but are framed by continuous moulded surrounds. Internally, some picture rails and many original doors have been preserved. This is a significant example of post-war public housing, recognised as the most important development by Fry’s practice and awarded a Festival of Britain Merit Award in 1951. Nikolaus Pevsner noted its "greater diversity of small motifs" as a departure from Fry's earlier work, and considered it to be "one of the most interesting recent groups of flats in London". The blocks are well-sited to maximise open space, light and sunshine while reducing traffic noise, creating a harmonious grouping enhanced by their good state of preservation and landscaping.