Cranbrook Estate

Elevated above the bustle of Bethnal Green, the Cranbrook Estate stands as a testament to post-war utopian ideals. Do you see how its six towers pierce the London skyline? These structures, completed in 1963, replaced a labyrinth of Victorian terraces, workshops, and a factory. Cranbrook Estate, named after the original street that traversed this area, was designed to be a self-contained community. The estate’s architects, Francis Skinner, Douglas Bailey, and the renowned Berthold Lubetkin, envisioned a modern, functional living space for the displaced residents of Bethnal Green. Lubetkin, a Soviet émigré, brought his modernist sensibilities to the project, having already made his mark on London with iconic structures like the Highpoint housing complex and the London Zoo penguin pool. Cranbrook Estate’s layout is unique. A figure-of-eight street named Mace Street winds through the estate, connecting its various buildings. The six tower blocks, arranged in pairs of descending height, dominate the landscape. These towers, originally adorned with coats of arms, offer a striking visual. They were named after towns and boroughs twinned with Bethnal Green at the time: Alzette, Mödling, Offenbach, Puteaux, St Gilles, and Velletri. The estate also includes lower-rise buildings, some specifically designed for the elderly, named after the streets demolished to make way for the new development. The Cranbrook Estate was not without its challenges. In 2005, Tower Hamlets Council proposed transferring ownership to Swan Housing Association, citing funding difficulties for necessary repairs. However, a resident campaign, supported by then-MP George Galloway, successfully blocked the transfer. The community spirit at Cranbrook Estate is evident in the Cranbrook Community Food Garden. Established in 2009 on a disused playground, the garden provides fresh vegetables and utilizes food waste for compost, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. The shadow of the Grenfell Tower fire prompted further fire risk assessments in 2017. While the tower blocks were deemed a “high/substantial fire risk,” reassurances were given to residents regarding their safety, and the recommended changes were considered manageable. Nestled within the estate is a piece of art with a story of its own. “The Blind Beggar and his Dog,” a bronze statue by Elisabeth Frink, originally stood on Roman Road. In 1963, it found its current home in the enclosed garden of Tate House, a residential building for the elderly on the estate. This sculpture, a silent observer of the estate’s history, serves as a poignant reminder of the area’s past and present.