Lambeth Open House

Self-Guided Itinerary Nearest station:

Brixton Recreation Centre

This imposing 6 story red brick sports centre, adjacent to Brixton station, was listed grade 2 in 2016. It was designed by council architect George Finch and although construc- tion started in 1974, completion was delayed until 1984 because of design problems and cost overruns. It has been described as comprising monolithic brick masses with sculptural concrete forms. It was innovative at the time, one of the earliest multi-purpose activity centres and has good natural light and interior detailing. It was visited by Nelson Mandela in 1996 as represent- ing a symbol of black British culture.

Directions: Turn right out of station, under railway bridge and turn right into Brixton station Road, 5 min- utes to Brixton Recreation Centre, Brixton Sta- tion Road.

Pop Brixton

It is a community initiative founded by Make Shift , a team of socially minded creators, makers, entrepreneurs and doers who champion collab- oration, drive progress and see it as their duty to bring prosperity to local communities through enterprise.

Directions: Continue along Brixton Station Road, 3 minutes to Pop Brixton, Brixton Station Road.

The Department Store

The Department Store is an award winning re- furbishment of a dilapidated Edwardian building in Brixton, completed by Squire and Partners in 2017. The design was informed by the layers of history and existing fabric of the heritage build- ing.

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Directions: Turn back along Brixton Station Road, cross main road into Ferndale Road, 7 minutes to The Department Store Ferndale Road.

Trinity Square

This charming mid Victorian square, just a short distance from the busy Brixton Road, was bult in 1850, adjacent to the earlier Trinity alms-houses which still have elderly woman residents.

Directions: Go back along Ferndale Road, turn right onto main road, and continue for 200 m then turn right into Brighton Terrace, continue into Trinity Square, 7 minutes Trinity Square.

Lambeth Town Hall

Landmark Edwardian Baroque style town hall in red brick and Portland stone . Striking new atrium, reception and courtyard space along with grand marble lined staircase and ornate council chamber. Grade II listed.

Directions: Turn left out of square, cross road to Lambeth Town Hall, 2 minutes to Lambeth Town Hall.

Ritzy Cinema

A much loved local cinema, the original building dates from 1911 and was constructed next to the entrance to Brixton theatre which was destroyed during the war. It is now grade 2 listed and was at first called the Electric Pavilion with a capacity of 750.

Directions: Cross major junction towards complex of build- ings around Windrush Square, 2 minutes to Ritzy cinema.

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Brixton Library

Built in the early 1890s, and listed grade 2, this imposing free Renaissance style library was funded by Henry Tate the sugar magnate, and designed by Sydney Smith who also designed the Tate Gallery, now . It was opened by the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, and is now at the heart of a redesigned Windrush Square. The site of the original gardens in front of the library was bought by Tate’s widow in 1904 to provide a public open space.

Directions: Immediately to the right of cinema, looking from Windrush Square, I minute to Brixton Tate library.

Black Cultural Archives

This building incorporates part of the former Raleigh Hall, extensively restored with a new extension by Pringle Richards Sharratt, complet- ed in 2014 and designed to function as a heritage centre for the British Afro Caribbean community.

Directions: Adjacent to the library, I minute to Black Cultural Archives.

St Matthews Church

Listed grade 2*in 1951, this church dates from 1822 following the Church Building Act 1818 which allowed new churches to be built in areas with a growing population. The architect was C F Porden and the building has an imposing Greek revival portico with Doric columns and a tower at the eastern end.

Directions: Cross Windrush Square and main road, 2 min- utes to St Matthews Church.

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