Festival of Britain construction site on South Bank
More information
Title
Festival of Britain construction site on South Bank
Festival of Britain construction site on South Bank
Reference
SC_PHL_01_260_F6739 (Collage 91780)
Date
Collection
London Metropolitan Archives: LCC Photograph Library
Description
Festival of Britain construction site in Waterloo Road, Waterloo, looking north from Tenison Way. The building under construction for the Festival of Britain has a sign on the roof for Cubitts contractors; the main building contractors for the Festival of Britain were Holland, Hannen and Cubitts. A steam crane on caterpillar tracks, with 'Fitzpatrick' logo on the side, can be seen by extensive roadworks. On the right a lorry is parked outside a remaining building, the Feathers pub. The Festival of Britain was a nationwide event that took place in the summer of 1951. Originally intended to mark the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851, it became a way to celebrate Britain and its achievements rather than including international themes. The construction of the Festival on its flagship South Bank site required the demolition of the industrial and residential buildings between Waterloo Bridge and County Hall. After the Festival, the South Bank site was cleared of all festival infrastructure except the Royal Festival Hall on the orders of Winston Churchill, who saw the Festival as a beacon for socialist ideas. This site was cleared and a block of the Shell Centre, now known as The Whitehouse Apartments, was built here.
Festival of Britain construction site in Waterloo Road, Waterloo, looking north from Tenison Way. The building under construction for the Festival of Britain has a sign on the roof for Cubitts contractors; the main building contractors for the Festival of Britain were Holland, Hannen and Cubitts. A steam crane on caterpillar tracks, with 'Fitzpatrick' logo on the side, can be seen by extensive roadworks. On the right a lorry is parked outside a remaining building, the Feathers pub. The Festival of Britain was a nationwide event that took place in the summer of 1951. Originally intended to mark the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851, it became a way to celebrate Britain and its achievements rather than including international themes. The construction of the Festival on its flagship South Bank site required the demolition of the industrial and residential buildings between Waterloo Bridge and County Hall. After the Festival, the South Bank site was cleared of all festival infrastructure except the Royal Festival Hall on the orders of Winston Churchill, who saw the Festival as a beacon for socialist ideas. This site was cleared and a block of the Shell Centre, now known as The Whitehouse Apartments, was built here.
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