Here at Ampthill Square Estate do you see those three high rises? Those landmarks are visible for miles. The Ampthill Square Estate has a story of transformation. It replaced dilapidated Victorian housing in the 1960s. The area was once known as Fig Mead. Imagine fields that eventually became a garden suburb in 1800. The Duke of Bedford developed it as part of his estate.
Ampthill, a town in Bedfordshire gave the square its name. The Dukes of Bedford owned Houghton House there. The London and Birmingham Railway bought half the square. They needed tracks into Euston Station. Even Charles Dickens played a role here. He bought his mistress Ellen Lawless Ternan a house nearby. It was at 2 Houghton Place.
Unfortunately, the area fell into disrepair. A bomb directly hit it during the Second World War. This led to the construction of the Ampthill Square Estate. While the original square had bridges over the railway lines. The rebuilt estate stands separate from the railway’s western side.
The Ampthill Square Estate consists of eight 6-storey blocks. These are on its east side. Three distinctive 21-storey high rises stand on the west side. They dominate the skyline. In total, there are 366 flats and maisonettes. 240 of these are in the towers.
The estate received recladding in the 1980s. In 2017, the cladding was confirmed to be solid aluminum. This was after fears that it might be ACM cladding like Grenfell Tower. Further investment of £20m came in 2005.
The three towers have names. They are Dalehead, Gillfoot, and Oxenholme. Each has 80 flats spread over 21 storeys. There are also seven 6-storey maisonette blocks. These include Calgarth and Glenridding. One 6-storey mixed block sits above commercial units. This is Holmrook.
Major refurbishment and regeneration happened in the early 2000s. These included enhanced security measures. A public open space separates the high rise and low rise areas. Ampthill Square Estate enjoys greenery and mature trees. The landscaping and planting is thriving. A multi-use games area and kids playground are popular. They attract youngsters from Ampthill and beyond.
The estate’s design had a purpose. Ampthill and Oakley Squares had a diagonal orientation. This was an architectural statement. It was meant to disassociate the dwellings from slum conditions nearby. Ampthill was once a gated community. The gate on the southern aspect opened on Sundays. This allowed residents to attend church. It was the church of St Mary on Eversholt Street.
The Ampthill Square Estate stands as a testament to change. From fields to a garden suburb to post-war housing. It continues to evolve while offering homes to a diverse community. The brightly colored towers serve as landmarks. These symbolize the area’s resilience.