Public reaction and controversy
When Centre Point was completed, it was met with strong public reaction. Its scale, stark appearance, and initial lack of occupancy made it a symbol of speculative development and modernist excess.
Over time, however, attitudes shifted. The building came to be recognised as an important example of post-war architecture and a defining element of London’s modern skyline.
Adaptation, reuse, and legacy
In the 21st century, Centre Point underwent sensitive redevelopment, transforming it from an office tower into residential use while preserving its architectural identity.
This adaptation reinforced the building’s status as a durable and flexible piece of architecture — capable of change without losing its character.
Today, Centre Point is widely regarded as a landmark of London modernism and a touchstone in discussions about the preservation of post-war architecture.
Model-maker's lens
Centre Point is a model-maker's gift: the façade is essentially a piece of geometry rather than a piece of building. The cruciform precast concrete mullions lock together into a diamond-grid pattern that repeats up the full height of the tower, and the deep-set glazing creates consistent shadow at every register. There is almost no hierarchy — top, middle and bottom follow the same logic — which means the building's character is completely present in even a small section of façade.
- Focus — the long principal elevation with its full-height diamond-pattern grid; the slight taper of the tower, the pilotis at base level, and the roofline plant room that caps the rhythm.
- Detail — the cruciform profile of the concrete mullions catches light from different angles throughout the day, giving the surface a restless texture that belies the rigid geometry. This is what we aimed to preserve in the model.
- How it reads at small scale — exceptionally well. The grid is so strong and so consistent that it asserts itself immediately. The PopArc version particularly suits this building — the graphic quality of the pattern translates directly into wall art.
- How to display — the façade model works well with a direct light source, which picks up the shadow in the recessed glazing and the three-dimensional quality of the mullion profile. The PopArc is designed for wall mounting.
As an object, Centre Point is a study in how repetition and module become identity — a building whose entire character is generated by a single precast unit, multiplied.
View our facade architectural model, focused on the building’s structure and rhythm and our framed wall-mounted PopArc model.
Visiting Centre Point today
Centre Point remains a prominent feature of central London, visible from multiple vantage points and integrated into one of the city’s most active urban nodes. Its transformation into residential use has ensured its continued relevance within London’s evolving architectural landscape.
Frequently asked questions about Centre Point
Who designed Centre Point?
Centre Point was designed by George Marsh of R. Seifert & Partners, the practice led by Richard Seifert (1910–2001). Seifert was the most commercially prolific architect in post-war London, responsible for NatWest Tower (now Tower 42), Space House, and dozens of office buildings across the city. Centre Point is generally considered his most architecturally ambitious work.
When was Centre Point built?
Centre Point was completed in 1966, though it stood largely empty for over a decade after completion. Developer Harry Hyams kept the building unlet, reportedly calculating that its rising value outpaced any rental income — a decision that made it a symbol of speculative excess and contributed to the campaign for a vacancy tax on commercial property.
What architectural style is Centre Point?
It is associated with post-war modernism with Brutalist-influenced detailing. The tower's distinctive precast concrete facade — a repeating grid of angled fins and recessed windows — gives it a texture and visual complexity unusual among commercial towers of the period. The honeycomb-like cladding was both structural and expressive, and has been more appreciated by subsequent generations than by contemporaries.
Where is Centre Point located?
At the junction of Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, and New Oxford Street in the London Borough of Camden — directly above Tottenham Court Road station. Its position at one of central London's busiest intersections gives it an urban prominence disproportionate even to its 34-storey height.
Why is Centre Point controversial?
At the time of its completion, Centre Point was controversial on two grounds: its scale and visual impact on the surrounding streetscape, and the circumstances of its development. Harry Hyams secured exceptionally favourable planning terms from the London County Council, and then left the building unlet for years while its value appreciated. It became a focal point for protests about speculative property development in 1970s London. Opinion has since shifted: it was listed Grade II in 1995, and converted to residential use in 2018.
Is Centre Point still in use?
Yes — it has been converted to residential use.
Related architectural landmarks
You may also be interested in:
Sources / further reading
