Croydon Documentary. Part 1 - The High-rise and Fall

Love it or loathe it, Croydon is a remarkable place. The result of radical architectural and urban experiments in the 1960s, it is a strange, challenging and unique piece of city.

In the first of a two-part documentary from the Architecture Foundation, Phineas Harper investigates Croydon's history, piecing together a story of big visions with a whiff of corruption.

This documentary is made possible thanks to the generous support of Hawkins\Brown, an architecture firm actively engaged in improving the future of Croydon.

ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION
For over 20 years, the Architecture Foundation has brought together professionals from across the built environment to discuss and act on issues related to design and the built environment. With a renewed focus on the city and the critical intersection of architecture and politics, the Architecture Foundation works to effect meaningful change on policy and practice.

[solaroydon]

This documentary needs revisiting especially with the recent declared bankruptcy

[carltheblue.]

Lived in Croydon for 7 years liked it. It’s the people who have no respect that ruin it

[bigmanthings]

I born in Morocco I come to Croydon in 2011 to 2018 I spent my lovely days in this town now I back to Morocco and missed Croydon so much Croydon kept lot of memories i was live in Leslie Grove CR0

[peterclark]

Born in Croydon in 1952 i witnessed the huge change over the years. I worked for Croydon Council for forty years on the maintainance side as a carpenter. People have certainly changed there, it was a great community once especially in the 1960s.

[twjclarke]

Grew up near Croydon, was always interested as to why it looked so bad. This comprehensively explained it. Cool archive footage too!

[warweezil]

Lived over at Roundshaw late 80’s to mid 90’s .. went back to Croydon a while ago and was shocked at the decline especially Surrey st market.

[harrisshah]

Growing up in Croydon and now living in Los Angeles, no place like Croydon

[ThePurpleKiss]

East/ West croydon is an eyesore. Its nice that its getting some development but it just seems to be more high rises. Westfield wouldve been a welcome investment too. Feels like every glimmer of hope croydon gets is shortly ousted.

[amysherlock]

I've been living in Croydon for just over 6 months now, the main reason I moved is due to the amazing transport links as well as getting more for less flat wise in what feels like London. The thing they really need to sort out is the town centre, the shops are so depressing. Although they have most things there are two massive shopping centres that are at about 30% capacity and could really be revamped.

[TropicTrdr]

I stumbled upon this while looking for information about the airport but I like architecture too. Save that circular building. Very well done.

[aidanmccarthy]

This is really excellent work. Well researched, opinionated, with a dash of tenderness...when can we see part two...?

[oluapampa]

I lived in Croydon in the early 70's. In New Addington. Back then it was a lovely quiet suburb. I have fond memories of the area.

[simonhodgetts]

I see many parallels between 60s Croydon, and 60s to hear from John Grindrod - Concretopia is a superb account of post WW2 town planning and urban design.

[kjprice]

My home town. Although I miss it those days are gone, and I wouldn't go near the place now...

[robstan]

From the mid 70s to late 80s Croydon was a bustling town which served the surrounding communities well but sadly for a long time now, it has a very uninviting feel and look about it, those of us who know just how much this town has lost, know there is nothing good coming Croydon's way in the future, no matter how high they build the next building in the town it will not help drag Croydon from the sewer it has occupied for the last 25 years.

[GalileoFigar]

I love 60’s and 70’s functional, concrete, blocky architecture. Especially the ramps and the stairs. So, Croydon to me is beautiful..

[petermorrell]

It’s amazing these people from Croydon council show their faces in interviews, I wouldn’t given their disastrous leadership

[theoverlord]

I ve been to Croydon twice while living in London for eight years. I visited 44 countries around the world and many more cities. This is one of the biggest dumps I’ve seen .

[MarcWebbFilm]

Great documentary! Funny that you use a David Bowie song in the credits since he was so vocal about how much he hated Croydon.

[vicvic]

I love croydon, it’s my home. But in recent years the decline has been rapid. It needs reinventing and repurposing.