Trellick

Trellick Tower is a residential tower block in North Kensington, London. Designed by architect Ernő Goldfinger, it was built between 1968 and 1972 as part of the Golborne Estate redevelopment. The building rises about 98 meters and comprises roughly 31 storeys, making it a prominent feature of the western London skyline.

Architecturally, Trellick Tower is a notable example of Brutalist design. It features a substantial concrete façade, a separate service tower that houses stairs and lifts, and a network of external walkways and balconies that connect the living blocks. The stark, utilitarian appearance and the emphasis on structural honesty are characteristic of Goldfinger’s work and the broader Brutalist movement of the period.

Historically, the tower was controversial at its completion, attracting debate over its design and the social housing model it embodied. Over time, it has become a landmark regarded as an important case study in postwar British housing. The building and its surroundings have undergone refurbishment and maintenance programs, addressing safety, amenity, and energy efficiency while preserving the structure’s distinctive silhouette.

Today, Trellick Tower remains in residential use, containing a mix of public and private housing. It continues to attract attention from photographers, filmmakers, and architecture enthusiasts and is widely cited as a durable, if polarizing, symbol of late-20th-century urban design in London.