Beyond these walls, the Chalcots Estate rises. It’s more than just concrete and steel. Let’s delve into its story.
The Chalcots Estate stands on land gifted to Eton College by King Henry VI in 1449. For centuries, Eton leased property here. In the 1840s, Eton began building homes for the middle class. They even insisted on the Primrose Hill tunnel to maximize building space.
After World War II, Eton College worried about the area’s changing character. A court battle ensued over lease fees. Eton decided to redevelop the area for maximum profit. In 1963, London Merchant Securities won the contract. Dennis Lennon and Partners were the architects. Lennon drew inspiration from Le Corbusier’s Plan Voisin.
The plan included low-rise houses and tower blocks for lease. This redevelopment led to evictions. Hampstead Borough Council negotiated for some social housing. Lennon increased the number of flats in the four towers. They became social housing. The towers were named after villages near Eton College.
The Chalcots Estate’s flammable cladding was installed in 2006. The installation took years and disrupted residents. Partners for Improvement Consortium won the contract. They reduced the price by using combustible cladding. A week after the Grenfell Fire, the cladding at Chalcots was found to be the same type. Every resident was evacuated. Camden Council paid for the evacuation. In 2019, Partners for Improvement went into liquidation.
Drum and bass artist Goldie lived in Dorney Tower. He stayed in filmmaker Gus Coral’s flat for ten years.
Today, works to reclad the blocks have finally begun. Residents are once again in temporary accommodation. The Chalcots Estate has seen many changes. It reflects the complex history of London’s housing.