Part of the larger modernist movement, the name actually comes from the French word for the poured concrete that formed many of these structures, but the English meaning of the word brutalism is a curiously apt description for these stark and blocky constructions.

Although the tower is an attractive place to live now, its troubled history has given it a gritty edge which appeals to some city dwellers.

The building was designed by Ernö Goldfinger in 1966 and construction was finished in 1972. Unfortunately, it was just at this time that high rise housing was being recognized as a contributing factor to crime and other social problems.

By the 1980s, the tower was synonymous with violent crime and drug use, and new tenants resisted being moved there.

The introduction of the “right to buy” policy for council housing led to owner occupancy and the formation of a tenants organization who pushed for security upgrades. Crime went down, and by the end of the 1990s, the tower's flats had become valuable property.

Most of the building is still used by the council, but there are a significant number of flats which are privately owned. The design is based on Goldfinger’s earlier and smaller construction, Balfron Tower in East London.

The long thin main building is joined to the much smaller lift and service tower by walkways every three floors, giving it an interesting ladder-like appearance.

Its unusual shape has made it a popular filming location for many television programmes and films; you can see the building in the 1988 Denzel Washington film “For Queen and Country” and a shot of the exterior was used in the credits of the 1990s BBC children’s television show “Incredible Games”.

This famous tower is an unusual and interesting part of the London skyline.

Address: 5 Golbourne Road, Kilburn, W10 5PL

Photo courtesy: pyrsokomos

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