Weston Rise Estate, King's Cross, London



Architect
 Howell, Killick, Partridge & Amis - for the Greater London Council
Date Built
 1964 - 1969
Location
 Pentonville Road
Description
This high-density housing scheme for the Greater London Council was built on an island site and comprised 5 blocks, linked together by towers which contained lifts, staircases, laundry rooms, drying rooms and refuse chutes.



The "british-history.ac.uk" says of the estate that, "... Weston Rise consists of 147 dwellings arranged in five blocks, at a density of 195 persons per acre. The two balcony-access blocks near the top of the site, Foxcroft (below) .....


.... and Sharwood Houses, of six and seven storeys, were destined for old people, ........



........... whereas the larger blocks to their south and west, Hurst, Frearson and Stelfox Houses, varied from eight to ten storeys and contained maisonettes. .......



......  Living rooms and bedrooms were mostly turned away from the noisy Pentonville Road, whose widening to a dual carriageway was anticipated (but didn't happen). In the open court facing Penton Rise, then expected to become a backwater rather than a major through-route (which also didn't happen), was a 'kickabout' area with a garage beneath, .....



..... while at the angle of Weston Rise and Penton Rise was sited a toddlers' playground, now a small gravelled garden with yuccas. Communal playspace was also provided in the access towers."




















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