Hundreds oppose renovations to brutalist building in England

Proposed renovations of a 1960s apartment block in the south of England have sparked widespread opposition. 

Arlington House in Margate is a renowned brutalist building located along the seafront. 

The 18-storey block stands almost exactly as when it was built in 1963, with pre-cast concrete panels, interior Carrara marble finishings and sliding glazed windows. 

Now, a proposal to replace these original windows has been met with objections from the public and heritage societies. 

Artist Tracey Emin, who was nominated for a Turner Prize, is also among the hundreds against the changes. 

‘It should be listed and renovated back to its original beauty’

Arlington House, which was developed by Bernard Sunley and designed by Russel Diplock, is an iconic building overlooking the Kentish sands. 

The wave-inspired facade is renowned for providing all apartments with sea views. 

Now, the complex’s managers intend to replace the original windows with tilt and turn models. 

The proposal has prompted backlash from local people and the building’s residents, which include Emin. 

Architectural conservation charity the Twentieth Century Society has also lodged an objection with the local Thanet district council. 

Opponents say the modifications will damage the architectural integrity of the block and reduce views of the seafront from the inside. 

“Arlington House is a historic building in Margate, at the time of its construction Margate was booming and it was an emblem of the future,” Emin told British press. 

“In the last few decades it’s been left to go to rack and ruin without care or respect for its monumental brutalist architecture. If this building were in any European town or city it would have been protected from the beginning. It should be listed and renovated back to its original beauty.”

Thanet heritage expert Nick Dermott criticised the proposals as “lazy and clumsy.”

“Four elements are key to the building’s striking appearance- its height, its wave-like projecting bay windows, the use of white pre-cast concrete stall riser panels and its continuous strips of aluminium horizontally sliding sashes (windows),” he told the Isle of Thanet News.

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“The high quality original windows, now 60 years old, were carefully considered by the architect and are essential to the building’s architectural character. No such sophistication of architectural design has been applied to the current proposals.”

Arlington House restoration will benefit residents

Property leaseholders Freshwater say the new windows are part of a wider restoration project and will benefit the inhabitants of the block. 

Some residents have complained that the original windows are in need of modernisation. 

Lyndon Brand, 60, told local news site KentOnline they are “just terrible”. 

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“They rattle and shake. Many have had seagull strikes and cracked. In the summer, the heat distorts the frames and cracks the glass. The slightly thicker frames are a small price to pay. You wouldn’t notice it,” Brand added.

Freshwater described the difference between the original and replacement windows as “minimal”.

However, although reports say the new windows will be of a tilt and turn model with significantly thicker frames, no official renderings have been submitted for planning so it is unclear what the final effect on the facade will be. 

Furthermore, the lease structure means not all windows will be replaced, resulting in a patchwork-like appearance. 

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