Baltic Quay is a large residential development, located in
Surrey Quays
Surrey Quays is a largely residential area of Rotherhithe in south-east London, occupied until 1970 by the Surrey Commercial Docks. Previously known as Surrey Docks, the area was renamed following the construction of the Surrey Quays shopping ce ...
in the
London Borough of Southwark
The London Borough of Southwark ( ) in South London forms part of Inner London and is connected by bridges across the River Thames to the City of London and London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It was created in 1965 when three smaller council areas ...
. Completed in 1989 during the
London Docklands Development Corporation
The London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was a quango agency set up by the UK Government in 1981 to regenerate the depressed Docklands area of east London. During its seventeen-year existence it was responsible for regenerating an a ...
, it is largely known for its unique architecture, which won it awards from the
London Docklands Development Corporation
The London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was a quango agency set up by the UK Government in 1981 to regenerate the depressed Docklands area of east London. During its seventeen-year existence it was responsible for regenerating an a ...
. As a result, it is considered to be a landmark development in the area.
Situated between
South Dock and
Greenland Dock
Greenland Dock is the oldest of London's riverside wet docks, located in Rotherhithe in the area of the city now known as Docklands. It used to be part of the Surrey Commercial Docks, most of which have by now been filled in. Greenland Doc ...
, the building was originally intended for mixed use; the ground floors as commercial outlets, the 1st and 2nd floors as office space and the remaining floors as residential apartments. Notable features of the development include is its vaulted roofs, circular windows and 14-storey tower. In particular the building was known locally for its initial colour scheme of blue and yellow, leading some to dub it as the "Ikea building".
In 1995 Barlow Henley Architects were involved in the conversion of the building's office space into residential apartments. The ground floor soon followed suit as there was a lack of commercial uptake. Currently, the building is exclusively residential,
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/ref> and is rumoured to house a High Court Judge, a Chief of Police, and retired servicemen of varying rank, most notably Admiral Henry Cuthbertson.
In April 2008, the building began phase 1 of its complete external redecoration (all elevations apart from the tower, which started and finished in 2009). This is in accordance with the lease supplied by the freeholder, which stipulates that external redecoration occurs every 10 years. This is the second external redecoration since the building's erection.
Image:Baltic_Quay_-_Interior_Aspect.JPG, Interior Aspect and Tower
Image:Baltic Quay - Inner Courtyard.jpg, Inner Courtyard and Walkways
Image:Baltic Quay - Main Entrance.jpg, Main Entrance and Car Park Ramps
Image:Baltic Quay - South Dock View.JPG, South Dock Marina Aspect
Image:Baltic Quay - Greenland Dock Aspect.jpg, Greenland Dock Aspect
Image:Baltic Quay - External Redecoration 2008.JPG, External Redecoration
References
Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Southwark
Residential buildings in London
Surrey Quays
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