Goldfinger's Trellick Tower
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2024
- The Trellick Tower, which is located close to Portobello Road, is one of London's most distinctive 20th Century landmarks- and one of its most controversial too!
In this video, we'll be looking at the story of both the Trellick Tower and the architect behind it: Erno Goldfinger (and yes! There is indeed a James Bond connection)...
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:19 Goldfinger's Early London Works
03:25 Willow Road, Hampstead
05:31 James Bond
07:53 Goldfinger Goes Brutal
10:03 The Balfron Tower
10:45 The Trellick Tower
13:49 Where does the name 'Trellick' come from?
16:37 The Trellick's Renaissance
18:37 The Trellick Tower in Popular Culture
***
Links for this video:
2 Willow Road, Hampstead
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visi...
The Elephant & Castle Pub
elephantandcastlepub.com/
Erno Goldfinger Open University Interview
• Ernő Goldfinger Discus...
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Thank you so much to all of you who support my channel with your kind words, likes and shares.
If you're feeling extra generous, you can also support my work with a tip via either the CZcams 'thanks' button (which appears as a heart icon below the video), or alternatively, via my Ko-fi account:
ko-fi.com/robslondon
Any such financial donations are of course greatly appreciated, and they really do help when it comes to creating content.
My other links:
Twitter:
/ cabmirror
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robert_lord...
Thanks again for watching, friends. Stay well, and please be sure to stay tuned!
***
Credits
Images & Footage:
Erno Goldfinger, 1945: National Gallery of Scotland
Budapest Footage: Pathe News, 1935
Abbatt Toys advert: www.designweek.co.uk/issues/1...
Goldfinger’s Desk: Country Life, 1991
2 Willow Road open door: Steve Cadman (Creative Commons) www.flickr.com/photos/steveca...
National Theatre: Mfkrzzz (Creative Commons, via Wikipedia)
Trellick Tower Under Construction: Layers of London (www.layersoflondon.org/map/re...)
Trellick Tower Architectural Drawing
www.semanticscholar.org/paper
Maps: Openstreetmap.org & National Library of Scotland
*
Music:
Intractable by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Spy vs Spy (DJ Williams)
Bossa Sonsa (Quincas Moreira)
Don’t Fret (Quincas Moreira)
Long Road Ahead B by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Noble Dub (Silent Partner)
Swans in Flight (Asher Fulero)
AnalogueCabin (Noir Et Blanc Vie)
Local Elevator by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Elevator Sound Effect: namikiri (freesound.org)
***
This channel is more informative and entertaining than the whole of TV.
What a great comment and I concur 100%.
Bless you Stephen, that means so much to me. Thank you my friend.
@@Robslondon My pleasure. My comment comes with total sincerity and from the heart.♥️
Totally agree.
Agreed 👍
I lived in this Tower in 2000's. The apartment was large and the views were great and most of all at the time the rent was affordable considering the location.
Great comment, thank you. I agree; I know someone who lives in a Goldfinger flat, it’s nice 😉 Stay well
I live in a block of flats 10th floor (top floor) and it's lovely. I loathe the way some people use living in social housing to excuse their bad behavior and criminality. It gives the political administration the chance to say Social Housing is bad for you. The answer - not improve social housing,which a lot of is fine anyway,but do away with Social Housing. And now we are at the place that leads to.
Well done, Rob: incredibly well researched!
How do you find the time?
London is so full of great history - I spent much of 1972 in Kensal Rise but kick myself that I never looked in on Kensal Green Cemetery. Reckon a Who's Who there would be interesting..! 🙃
@@janebaker966 well, it doesn't help that councils see fit of such flats as a dumping ground for problem tenants.
Just goes to show that architecture isn't usually what holds back social housing - it's the lack or absence of community. The simple process of introducing a concierge managed to flip the satisfaction almost on its head. I do Architecture at University and I often tell my tutors this - one half of architecture is designing, the other is people. Great video.
Thank you so much; excellent thoughts.
Nothing on TV, thank heavens there's a new RobsLondon to enjoy with a coffee 🙂
😄 Cheers Rob!
When i worked at the RIBA Drawings Collection in the 80s Erno would occasionally visit. I liked his visits. He used to call me, 'Dear Boy'.
Lovely 😄 Thank you for sharing that
Brilliant, always been fascinated by the Trellick, it spelt eyesore in the 1980s but now of course its appreciated for the gem that it always was.
Thank you Michael!
Trellick Tower appears very briefly in the background towards the end of the music video for the song 'Brass in Pocket' (1979) by the Pretenders.
Ah! Didn’t know that, thank you!
@Robslondon I appreciate the effort you put into your Channel! I am a 1980s kid who grew up with the Pretenders on Mtv. Long story short, the landmark Trellick Tower just glimpsed in the background was the key to (me) figuring out that music video filming location: the intersection of Southern Row & Middle Row (North Kensington)
I imagine he was a man of strong self belief. Often that can be enough, to mark a person as difficult. Principled visionary, how else could he have left such a distinctive legacy. Thank you again Rob, I knew this story would be a good one!
Excellent comment Anne. Thank you.
Thanks for going back to original sources, to sort fact from myth, and to rediscover Goldfinger's original intentions. It's good that his work is now appreciated, rather than just being used as a scapegoat for social problems. My favourite building that might be called 'brutalist' is Ashington House in East London, designed by Noel Moffett. He was an Irish architect whose complex forms were said to have been influenced by Giant's Causeway.
Great comment Roland, and thank you for there kind words
Hi Rob, excellent video, I use to live and work there in the 2000 when it was managed by a tenant's TMO. It was my dream job, I was given a flat on the 21st floor and an office on the ground floor where I managed the block and surrounding area. The residents in the block and surrounding area were brilliant. 😊👍🏽🇯🇲
A great comment Everton. Enjoyed reading that; cheers 😉
And thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated.
Fascinating to hear Goldfinger speak! Kudos to Rob, of course. To everyone watching, reading and commenting, please try to persuade a couple of friends to subscribe so we can get Rob over the magic number (100k) by Christmas! 👍👍👍
You’re a total star. Can’t express how much your support means to me Tragicyouth
@@Robslondon You're very welcome, Rob.
I do not admire the brutalist style at all, but sometimes when they get it right it really is stunning. Thank you for the video!
Thank you Daniel!
I used to stay on the 21st floor after working late at the Electric Cinema on portobello road circa ‘84. That lift was scary at 2am. The view was amazing especially at night.
That would be scary! 😬
Hi Rob, Hope you are keeping well, Thank you for another top video, I am really enjoying your content with fascinating subjects, Well done Sir. Thank you
Dave, thank you so much! Really appreciate your kindness. Hope you’re keeping well, all good here cheers 😄
I’ve just got a chance to watch this Rob and I’m very impressed. I’ve always liked brutalist design personally and I think the Trellick looks amazing. I’ve heard stories that back in the late 70s and 80s people were literally given keys to live there due to its reputation. Imagine that now! I’d definitely love to live there. All the best and thanks again for another brilliant and professional video.
Wonderful comment Rjb, thank you- and thanks for the kind words 😄
Before I got to the end I was thinking of the times I'd seen it on movies and tv even here in America and thought it an interesting place. But I'd never known anything about it. Thank you so much for the video, I loved it!
It’s a pleasure Jay, thanks for watching!
Thanks! Very interesting and well presented 🎉
I really appreciate that, thank you so much 😄 Very kind
Thanks Rob, we live in countryside North Scotland and it is great to see your films around London, such a contrast and so well produced.Subbed.
Thank you Gary. I love Scotland ;-) Good to have you here.
Thank you for a revealing and informative video!
Personally I hate brutalism. These structures never fit into their environment and to me always look depressing, but hey, that's just my 2p.
You’re not alone robbicu 😉
This video is wonderful 💯
Your research never ceases to amaze.
I had a friend who lived in Trellick Tower in 1973. I remember visiting her and her mother. I must say that as a person who worked in Local Government, in the Housing Department in Southend -on-Sea at that time, TT was superbly designed (in contrast to some tower blocks in Essex of that period) and i am glad at its renaissance 👌
Thank you once again, Rob, for your expert attention to detail in the making of this video 👌
Fantastic comment Christine, and thank you so much for the kind words! Stay well 😄
👋 @Robslondon 🤗
Thank 👋. you 🤗 Rob 👋
You 👋 too 🤗
Thanks Rob. I really enjoyed this one as my brother lived in Trellick in the 90s. They are nice flats inside and it’s a great location.
Great comment Mia, thank you ☺️
This is another really good video. . So well researched and presented. Better than most TV documentaries. I remember seeing this Tower when I worked as a nurse in St Mary's. This shows the difference between luxury flats and council property. Mainly a disaster in the early days because they wouldn't invest in security.
Great comment and thank you so, so much for the kind words- truly appreciated Anthony. Stay well.
So educational! Thank you for such amazing work!
Thank you! Much appreciated
That decision not to employ a concierge cost the council vastly more than if they had gone ahead and done so, as Goldfinger was urging. He had to watch the results of their folly.
Well said.
I always remember this tower from the A40 when i was a child and my father worked in London. I always said it was clever and striking and that there's rarely a problem with buildings , it's the disrespectful people who don't deserve this privilege. I would love to see inside one of them.
Thanks Sonnie
Greetings from New Jersey! I really like your videos. The topics covered and presentation are always great.
Thank you so much! That's really kind of you; truly appreciate the kind words and support. Thanks again and stay well.
You just popped up on my feed.
Thank you algorithm.
😄 Good to have you here!
Excellent video! Glad I found this channel.
Thanks Alan! Good to have you here.
The music in the end compilation, coupled with the hard, futuristic for the time Brutalist architecture puts me in mind of Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange".
Thank you Michael, that was the feel I was going for 😉 I almost included some Clockwork Orange clips… but thought it would be a bit too bleak! Cheers and stay well.
Wondered about that sticky-out bit on Hille House for years as it's not in keeping with anything in the immediate area. Now I know it's a Goldfinger design.
Thank you, Rob.
A pleasure Graham, glad to be of service 😉
Great video Rob! My ex wife used to work in St Albans Road, Watford, at Barclays Bank. I drove past that building a few times a week. Opposite Barclays Bank was a pub called 'The Leviathan' where we used to go and have a drink after she finished. It was a great pub, though I don't know if it still exists! The Pete and Dud movie Bedazzled was also filmed in Borehamwood where I lived back then, and there are clips of it in Shenley Road outside the Wimpy Bar which are in videos on You Tube.
Thanks! I had a feeling it was filmed around there, thanks for confirming😉
@@Robslondon My pleasure Rob. Liz Hurley also made a version of Bedazzled too, which was crap.
I think the pub is now called The Cother Arms, the bank is long gone however and appears to be a small supermarket
@@eddie7167 I'm amazed the pub is still there, and the bank being gone does not surprise me.
Thanks for this insight into the complex challenges that often come with the design of unboring places. You mentioned the Penguin Pool, which is another fascinating tale you might consider investigating. I love the Penguin Pool’s distinctive design and have taken at least 50 photos of it. Alas, the penguins had issues with it - bumblefoot! - and the site has had its up and downs over the years.
Thank you so much Sharon, lovely comment
Excellent video+ second time of watching it.
Really appreciate that, thank you!
Another excellent Sunday evening video.
Thank you Paul!
Never realised that Hill House was the work of the man who designed Trellick Tower, although now you have mentioned it its obvious.
The building is pure Art. From that area .. iconic
😉
An extremely informative video and I've subscribed too.
Thank you Sarah! Good to have you here.
This channel is my new favorite! Great work Rob! Now I'm trying to convince the misses to go on vacation in london❤
Thank you so much! Hope you make it here soon 😉
Rob I knew the face could not be a politician, nothing so boring on your channel
A complete break away from your usual videos, nothing moving just blocks of bricks and concrete
Super research and presentation as always
Will wait for the taster of your next project “No pressure “
Thanks so much Butch, hope you’re keeping well 😉
My auntie lived in this building for many years and I’ll share a story with you That’s quite quite true. One Afternoon, we walked back from the waste disposal shoots and no sooner had we close the front door then The bell rang when we opened it it was Robbie Coltrane the actor who recently passed away. He was on the wrong floor looking for a friend who lived in the building that would’ve been about 1989 so at the time he was quite famous for the comic strip and programs like that black adder etc . And this day, I could kick myself for not asking him for his autograph
Love it! 🤣
great video - often passed that building in watford and wondered if it had an interesting history, you never disapoint!
Thanks wendalboy ;-) Hope you're keeping well.
Quality CZcams!
Superb video, great channel, subbed!
Thank you so much! It’s good to have you here 😄
You’re certainly going up in the world with this production Rob. I used to live in Hampstead and walked past Goldfinger’s house twice a day. I don’t recall seeing him though.
Thank you so much Mark 😉
I used to live in Kensal Green about a kilometer from Trellick tower.
Never knew much about it, but used to pass it from time to time during my work travels around London.
One local myth was that it was a lookout tower for Heathrow Airport.
Nice to get some background and history about it.
Sad that Goldfinger never got to see it in its revived glory.
The cost of a concierge would probably be far less than the cost of repairing the vandalism.
Typical false economy by the council.
There was a similar grand construction in Sheffield, that suffered the same problems,
due to penny pinching by the council, and not supplying a concierge.
.
Great comment, thank you. Love the Heathrow myth 😂
This building was featured today on BBC2 Andy Oliver’s Fabulous Feasts. really interesting building. Thanks for the great video and the algorithm for knowing I want to learn more about it.
Hi Jingho, many thanks for the kind words.
Yes, I was lucky enough to catch the programme- came across it by chance! Really enjoyed it; Andi did the Trellick proud and she clearly has a lot of affection for the building. Glad it brought you here too ;-)
Thanks again and stay well.
Great and interesting content. I enjoyed watching it and loved it. Keep up the good work. Thanks. 👍👍👍😍😍😍
Thank you Sharon ☺️
My family moved in early 1970’s on 21st floor. There was a caretaker, a nice man. The flats were large inside and well lit but life was grim for my mum with 3 young children. Playing out did not happen. We moved 1976. My dad drunk in the Prince Arthur across the road .
Really interesting insight, thank you
yea really interesting, i like the way you do talk about the persons background, like the fact Goldfinger was from Budapest Hungary, and went to Paris, although we got the brutalist architecture instead of Paris!, i like the interior of his buildings but not so much the outside, although i really love the concert halls on the southbank and they are really nice to perform in. I prefer them even to the Royal Albert hall. another nice one Rob Thanks!
Great comment Sharon, thank you!
Brutalist architecture always stirs up good debate! We have a number of striking examples here in Winnipeg (our city hall, concert hall and theatre centre) and some people who never even lived when their Victorian predecessors existed still complain about the concrete replacements! I love the brutalist style and functionality. (Kudos on the nice usage of the newly restored Blur video 👌🏼😄)
Great comment Pat, cheers!
This is amazing Rob! Your a talented guy 👍
Really appreciate that, thank you!
It's funny that you posted this yesterday. I was out on a walk near Portobello Road yesterday and thought I would try to go up to see the views from the top floor. There is only one lift working at the minute but it's very fast. It took about a minute to get to the 30th floor. The views up there of London are amazing! It's really windy up there though and it wasn't even a windy day..must be pretty terrifying on a windy day. Anyway, I'm glad I saw the inside before it is gentrified and they throw out the working class people like they have at Balfron Tower. It certainly is an iconic building. Then I got home and you'd posted this! Interesting stuff. (FYI...An ITV drama called Next of Kin starring Archie Panjabi was filmed there too)
You got in?! Very lucky!!
Well, the working class people didn't do the building much good when they were in it......
@@HunkumSpunkum Not every resident caused trouble; as always it was a minority of people making it a misery for everyone else. And there are still working class people living there today.
A bit of a hot take, I think a lot of the old Brutalist buildings have aged aesthetically well.
😉
Trellick was featured in the film 'Shopping' starring Jude Law and Sadie Frost and I'm pretty sure it appeared in the film 'Kidulthood' too.
Yep! 😉
As with evryone here i always enjoy your vids and am truly touched by the outpouring of support shown here in the comments section.
Keep up the great work. Alwaus look forward to the alerts.
Be well.
A very nice comment Indeed.
That means so much to me Sam, thank you. It’s support from good people like yourself which really keeps the channel going.
Thank you again and stay well.
Another wonderful video! I always watch your vids as soon as I can!!!
Much appreciated Martha, thank you!
Incredibly researched especially finding all the film and video clips at the end. Congratulations on another London triumph. We spent last summer with our narrowboat along the Grand Union and mooring next to Trelleck was a real highlight! We’re heading back that way soon!
Fantastic comment Ian. Thank you so much, enjoyed reading that 😉
A very interesting and informative video. First class Rob as always.
Thank you 😉
Another fascinating and beautifully pitched film. Thanks Rob
I truly appreciate that, thank you
Superbly informative, brilliant
Thank you so much Martin, that's really kind of you.
Another informative video, Rob never lets us down !
Thank you Rachel
Another great video, Rob. Great historical recollection of the man.
Thank you so much
sterling work as always rob thanks for all the hard work u do buddy
Cheers mate, much appreciated as always
@@Robslondon well done rob cheers buddy
Thank you again Rob - Super-interesting presentation as usual
Thank you! Much appreciated!
thank you Rob! I always love your videos.
Thank you Nanou!
Thank you so very much ! That was really interesting!! You certainly can tell a story. Great research and great presentation 👍👍 Well done 😂
You’re a gentleman MrJohn, thank you!
I spotted this a few years back while travelling on the tube I couldn't believe it I thought it had come out of a dystopian Hollywood movie I'll say one thing that building has presence
:-D
Trellick sounds like a Cornish name.I live in Bristol and see the Trellick Tower when the train comes into Paddington station. I only found out there is a similar slightly smaller tower block in the east end called Balfron Tower.
Excellent comment. It does sound Cornish, yes- or perhaps Welsh as I suggest in the video…. Stay well 😉
As a American learning about UK you are the best thanks
That means a lot to me thank you, especially as my Grandad was American 🇺🇸
Another cracking video Rob 👍
Thank you Mark
I’m behind on your videos so have had a very pleasant afternoon catching up! As always, another very well researched and informative video. I’m not a fan of this style of architecture although I do appreciate it and it’s great to learn about its history. Thanks Rob! ❤
Lovely comment as always Louise! Thank you ☺️
Yet another fascinating video. Thank you.
It’s a pleasure Jon. Thanks so much for watching
Genuinely brilliant content.
Much appreciated, thank you so much
Brilliant work as always 👏🏼👏🏼
Thanks so much Mick
Trellick towers was also featured in Danny Boyles 28 DAYS LATER
Think it was the Balfron 😉
It was in tuckers luck, a off shoot from the Grange Hill bbc series. The film unit used my uncles front door for a couple of scenes
Great video Rob! I work down the road from hille house in watford and one of my clients has the workshop at the rear.
Thanks- and nice 😉
Another very informative video...thank you!
Thanks so much Brett 😉
Excellent Rob! I really like Brutalist architecture but hub is a real aficionado of post war concrete, and the work of Goldfinger an Peter and Alison Smithson. Also, brilliant clips of film including Bedazzled! A great watch, thanks.
Lovely comment Nellie, thank you
Really enjoy your videos ! TV (old fashioned over airwaves not cable) is dead here in BOregon... Your channel here on YT a very welcome treat, thank you .
Thank you so much ☺️
Thanks Rob. Great to see it survive the decades and become a sought after location.
Goldfinger would have been proud.
Well documented and detailed video as always….cheers
Thanks so much Doug. Hope you’ve had a good weekend 😉
Fascinating. I have done lots of research on Goldfinger and his buildings, so this was a nice recap.
Thank you!
While I was still at school I had a girlfriend who lived at Alexander Fleming house. Her brother used to work at the cinema and used to smuggle us in. Happy days 🙂
(I would tell you about the pub, but I was only 15 at the time ;-) )
Such a great comment 😉 Thanks for sharing.
I remember accessing the telecoms on the roof a few years back to do some maintenance.
There was graffiti in the plant room and the door had been kicked in so we had to abort the job for our own safety as it was a known pirate site!
😳
Thanks as usual Rob!
Thanks John!
I've only ever lived in Arizona and California, so I don't really understand the tendency of highly urban areas to pack people like sardines into giant mounds of stone, brick, or concrete. Nonetheless, this was a very interesting introduction to brutalist architecture. Thanks, Rob!
Been to both Arizona and California; beautiful places 😎 Thanks for the kind words
nice video , love the building
Thank you!
Thank you for the interesting video
Thank you!
I want to love Goldfinger's style, and I nearly do. But, but.... it's not easy.
😉
Lived in the Trellick a couple of years. A great building that would be a fantastic place to live if it wasn't managed by the murdering TMO.
I am glad the architect's vision has been realized again but it's a shame it's no longer affordable. Excellent video!
Lovely comment, thank you!
Really good video
Much appreciated, thank you!
Great video!
Cheers!
@@Robslondon 😊
Great video.
Thanks!
I recommend watching; Bunkers, Brutalism and Bloodymindedness: by Jonathon Meades, like him, I love the honesty of the style, totally functional. Creating, not responding to 'context' that post-modernists drone on about....
Interesting, thank you
As always, great video. Thanks Rob!
I'm a fan of Goldfinger's (the architect) work, though generally not a fan of Brutalism...Trellick Tower is one of my faves.
Thank you ☺️
Another great video Rob. I knew I'd seen it on tv, so was probably tuckers luck or the professionals.
He definitely had something that goodfinger.
😄 Cheers Paul!
I think the architecture is great, it’s of a time, but also stood the test of time, iconic, regardless if it’s liked or not
Great video Rob 👍🏻
Thanks Maverick, nice comment
Alway's quality videos with interesting quality information.
I see these Tower's how I see most Contemporary Art, crap to look at but they deserve their place.
Modernism works as a philosophy, but in architecture it only really works in isolation. Functionality outweighs the aesthetic, we humans are visual beings so when the environment is austere it reflects in the human psyche.
Interesting, thank you.
"Withnail & I" was of course set in 1969 and should not have shown the tower in its completed state. But then they also did not think to exclude anachronistic motorway signage.
Very true! 😉
Worked at Highpoint in 1980's doing internal decoration on a largely unmodernised flat. Original kitchen with a butler sink and an oak draining board.
External walls had cork between internal plaster and external concrete in guise of insulation. I heard Gilbey's warehouse in Camden Town floated on cork blocks to soften vibration from adjacent railways.
Cork insulation? Wow 😉
Hey Rob. what a marvelous video. I think Goldfinger may of managed a smail over this had he been around today. especially hearing of the turn of fortune for the iconic Trellick. Interesting character and like many gifted people, they all seem to have a quirky side to them. So the mix of being a friendly guy coupled with a stubborn side with an angry demina would fit well. I would think some of that may stem from his own frustrations at wanting to be a perfect achitect and designer and leaving behind a really well thought of legagcy. The fact his wife gave the house to the NAtional Trust says that they were pretty decent people underneath it all. Plus if he was that bad would anyone of actually gone to his parties at the Trellick? I fear not. So I am sure many accepted his character in good faith. I had heard of him before, but did not realise he had done so many places. Especially all the schools.
As always a pleasure to watch your videos.Keep safe and best wishes to you and family.
Thanks so much for taking the time to write, John- lovely comment and thoughts 😄 Hope you’re keeping well.