When Is A Block Of Flats...

...not a block of flats?

Short answer - when it's luxury apartments.

Long answer - when councils, developers, estate agents and 'influencers' say they're not. When they're new, haven't been allowed to run down, belong to higher-earners and have a concierge and security system worthy of the name. When they are deemed to be worth something. When it suits someone not to call them flats or - heaven forbid - a tower block.

Canada Wharf just peeking in on the right, opposite and next to (Calder Court, not visible here) more modern architecture. Thames Walk below.

Here is David Cameron, who was PM ages and ages ago, talking about what sort of housing is best for the wellbeing and safety of tenants and residents and how we must do away with "brutal high-rise towers".

I think this headline link speaks for itself - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/17/brutal-way-to-live-truth-about-tower-blocks

A thinktank speaks.

And more recently this relevant article.

It is relevant because this is not about tower blocks or a particular type of building being good or bad. However, as most Londoners are against the increasing number of tall buildings it does show that the council and developer 'pile 'em high' (but not 'sell 'em cheap', until the land is sold from under the poorest to developers) policy is not one that takes into consideration the views - or needs - of the people most affected. It was strange to hear Cameron speak as he did, most attributing his concern to a Tory gentrification policy. Unfortunately, the worst type of social cleansing is now associated with Labour in Southwark -  as of course those affected businesses and homes along the Old Kent Road already know too well...

Being advertised abroad now.

But the quote now apparently is 'different people have different views on tower blocks'. The views from a well kept tall building can be fantastic, an 'apartment' (forgot that one) a practical, stylish use of space inside and out. At worst, especially when allowed to get run down (while still somehow running up massive work and repair bills...) they can be alienating, hard-to-maintain, unsafe eyesores. If you are making decisions now, wouldn't the priority be for as many low-rise, green space well-built, safe community homes you could provide at best price? Not if you are worried about developer's contracts before the people's lives which are really involved. The tower block seems here to stay, with more to come. It will of course be interesting to see how many 'tower blocks are great' commentaries follow or anticipate their arrival.

The other concern is the pricing out of anyone except the super-rich from owning property at all. Anti-social behaviour, which in all areas we suffer from, is rewarded in London with maybe a couple of free flats (yes, those are allowed to be called flats) whereas those wanting to make a home (maybe with one of those troublemaking neighbours in a nearby flat not helping) also simply won't be able to for any number of other reasons too - short-terms contracts, location, associated charges, length of time left to live and pay off bills or debts -  all coming down to just being unable to afford to. And if there are affordable homes built, they're apparently likely, one way or another, to be...'brutal'.

Here are some more photo's before it's all change (again).