Alton — Michael Heyward

Alton Estate

The Alton Estate, Roehampton. A massive estate on the edge of Richmond Park which has a very high percentage of landscaped space. The estate has two main regions, Alton West and Alton East. The most prominent and famous feature being the five lined up 11 storey slab blocks in Alton West, raised on a hillside on piloti overlook Richmond Park. They contain double sided 2 bed maisonettes. Inspired by Le Corbusier and his Unite d'habitation.. The layout of the estate in the landscape is seen as a direct translation of Le Corbusier’s Ville Radieuse. Also a big feature in Alton West are the numerous cleanly designed, concrete clad identical 12 storey point blocks which are arranged in unfussy gently sloping open parkland. They contain 1 & 2 bedroom flats. Designed by the London County Council Architects Dept. completed 1958. Alton East which was built before Alton West has a quantity of identical point blocks which are here clad in pale brick rather than concrete and have a more Scandinavian feel. They are contrasted with 4 storey red brick maisonette blocks. They were designed by Rosemary Stjernstedt for the London County Council and completed by 1955. The estate also has a selection of low rise blocks, houses and pensioners bungalows. A redevelopment plan was sadly going to result in a the demolition of some blocks in the central area of the estate and replacement with higher and denser new ones which would change the balance and views of the estate in a negative way. However this plan seems to have stalled or cancelled as I believe the main contractor has pulled out of the scheme. For such a vast estate there seems to be very little in the way of recreational / community facilities and shops, two Youth club facilities are currently closed and boarded up! Does feel a bit isolated for such a huge estate as public transport to and from is only by Bus. Best visited on a crisp sunny winter or spring day or you won’t see the concrete for the trees! if you want to get photos of the iconic slab blocks. Give yourself a full day to circumnavigate there’s lots to see! Alton East & West were built from the early 1950’s up until the late 1960,s. Designed by the then London County Council (LCC) Architect’s Department.

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Alton Estate

Alton West, slab blocks

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Alton Estate

Alton West, slab blocks

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Alton Estate

Alton West, slab blocks

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Alton Estate

Alton West, slab blocks