Centre Point

Centre Point stands in the heart of London, near the junction of New Oxford Street and Charing Cross Road. It is a tall concrete tower with a lower block of shops and offices, linked at first-floor level. The site once held a gallows and the old St Giles High Street ran beneath where the tower now stands. Tottenham Court Road tube station lies directly below. The building’s height and position make it a landmark above the surrounding streets. Centre Point was one of London’s first skyscrapers, built between 1963 and 1966 for property developer Harry Hyams. It remained empty for years, becoming a symbol of waste during a housing shortage. In 1974, housing activists occupied the tower to protest its vacancy. Later it became home to major organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry and firms like Aramco and EA Games. After another long empty period, it was converted into luxury flats in 2018. Visitors see a 34-storey tower of precast concrete panels, now filled with private apartments. The lower buildings contain shops and offices, with a pedestrian route crossing above the street. The tower’s concrete frame and Portland stone cladding give it a heavy, geometric look. From nearby pavements the building looms over the traffic island at St Giles Circus. Its stark design has drawn criticism from architects like Nikolaus Pevsner, yet it remains a notable part of London’s skyline.