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Information AboutTrellick Tower |
Goldfinger's design is based on his earlier and slightly smaller Balfron Tower (in Poplar , east London), and is in effect a sister building. It is also remarkably similar to Anniesland Court in Glasgow , design by J Holmes & Partners and completed in 1968. It has a long, thin profile, with a separate lift and service tower linked at every third storey to the access corridors in the main building; flats above and below the corridor levels have internal stairs. The building contains 217 flats and was originally entirely owned by the GLC with the flats rented as Social Housing . Shortly after its completion the building was transferred to the local council (the Royal Borough Of Kensington And Chelsea ). Most of the flats are still social housing, but a significant minority are now privately owned. The tower was completed at a time when high-rise tower blocks were going out of fashion as local authorities were beginning to realise the social problems they caused. By the late 1970s Trellick Tower had a very poor reputation for crime and anti-social behaviour, and many tenants resisted a transfer there. However, with the introduction of the ' Right To Buy ' council homes, many of the flats were bought by the tenants. On October 8 , 1984 a new residents' association was formed. As a result of pressure from the occupants, several security improvements including an entryphone system and the employment of a concierge were undertaken from the mid-1980s. Property prices rose and flats in the tower came to be regarded as highly desirable residences by some people. Private properties inside the tower now sell for between £225,000 for a one-bedroom flat to £350,000 for three-bedrooms. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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