Southbank Centre granted Grade II listed status after years of resistance

In Brief

The brutalist Southbank Centre in London receives Grade II listing, marking a shift in appreciation.

Key Facts

• The Southbank Centre was granted Grade II listed status.
• The complex includes the Hayward Gallery, Purcell Rooms, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and a basement skatepark.
• It was once voted 'Britain's ugliest building' when it opened in October 1967.
• There were six previous unsuccessful attempts by successive governments to list the centre.
• Campaigners have welcomed the listing as recognition of brutalism's architectural significance.

What Happened

The Southbank Centre, a brutalist complex in London comprising the Hayward Gallery, Purcell Rooms, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and a basement skatepark, has been granted Grade II listed status. This decision follows six prior unsuccessful listing attempts by successive governments and marks a significant change in the building's public and official perception.

Why It Matters

The listing of the Southbank Centre signifies a growing appreciation for brutalist architecture, which was previously unpopular and criticized. This recognition may influence preservation efforts for other brutalist structures and reflects evolving attitudes toward mid-20th-century architectural heritage.