Say hello to Barratt Homes' 'Brixton Square' on Coldharbour Lane (old Cooltan site)

[Crispy]

The physical layout of these buildings is a red herring. Private courtyard to mid-rise residential is a very common and normal urban pattern and is used throughout Europe and the world. I do not think it's outrageous to provide a small amount of private amenity space for the residents of a building to use.

What's outrageous is the complete lack of truly affordable housing in this or any other development. Nearly everything that's wrong with this development is political in nature, not the physical design. (ignoring the bland look of the place).

 

[editor]

The physical layout of these buildings is a red herring. Private courtyard to mid-rise residential is a very common and normal urban pattern and is used throughout Europe and the world. I do not think it's outrageous to provide a small amount of private amenity space for the residents of a building to use.

What's outrageous is the complete lack of truly affordable housing in this or any other development. Nearly everything that's wrong with this development is political in nature, not the physical design. (ignoring the bland look of the place).

For sure, but this big steel gate and private square just puts a big strawberry on top.

 

[Strangerdanger]

That is not "by my logic" at all.

My mistake, perhaps I misinterpreted your question.

 

[Strangerdanger]

The physical layout of these buildings is a red herring. Private courtyard to mid-rise residential is a very common and normal urban pattern and is used throughout Europe and the world. I do not think it's outrageous to provide a small amount of private amenity space for the residents of a building to use.

What's outrageous is the complete lack of truly affordable housing in this or any other development. Nearly everything that's wrong with this development is political in nature, not the physical design. (ignoring the bland look of the place).

I agree with you. The term affordable housing is a complete joke in London.

 

[Mr Bim of Bar]

You must use awfully big envelopes.

Come on editor, you have seen the pictures of the square, it's far to small to accommodate a free for all, we will probably have to draw lots to see which of can can use it. As for t

I may be making myself a target here, but I'm going to be completely honest with you, no. If I want a communal space I can got to brockwell park or windrush square. By your logic, no one should have a back garden, they should all be for anyone to use?

ive got your back

The physical layout of these buildings is a red herring. Private courtyard to mid-rise residential is a very common and normal urban pattern and is used throughout Europe and the world. I do not think it's outrageous to provide a small amount of private amenity space for the residents of a building to use.

What's outrageous is the complete lack of truly affordable housing in this or any other development. Nearly everything that's wrong with this development is political in nature, not the physical design. (ignoring the bland look of the place).

Think we can all agree with this.

 

[loulou82]

Jesus. What an awful experience.

It was awful, i'd come home early from work as I was unwell and walked into that. Every single flat on our floor had been done. Took our landlord 3 days to get us a new door, so didn't sleep properly for those nights. We barricaded ourselves in home alone style with washing racks and open umbrellas up against the door. Our communal door didn't get fixed for 2 weeks and I have come home to find random people just wandering round the corridors.

 

[Mr Bim of Bar]

It was awful, i'd come home early from work as I was unwell and walked into that. Every single flat on our floor had been done. Took our landlord 3 days to get us a new door, so didn't sleep properly for those nights. We barricaded ourselves in home alone style with washing racks and open umbrellas up against the door. Our communal door didn't get fixed for 2 weeks and I have come home to find random people just wandering round the corridors.

Wow I can see why you are so excited to move in, as a matter of interest I spoke to one of the sales team about three months ago and asked if there had been any break ins, so far so good not one.
The SQUARE is well monitored with surveillance cameras, and from your apartment there is also a video screen where you can see what's going on from three different camera angles, so this should give you a greater piece of mind, hope you are well, same thing happened to me years ago and I still haven't forgotten it.

 

[Strangerdanger]

It was awful, i'd come home early from work as I was unwell and walked into that. Every single flat on our floor had been done. Took our landlord 3 days to get us a new door, so didn't sleep properly for those nights. We barricaded ourselves in home alone style with washing racks and open umbrellas up against the door. Our communal door didn't get fixed for 2 weeks and I have come home to find random people just wandering round the corridors.

I don't even know what to say, what a nightmare. I don't blame you for wanting to live in a "gated community" after that experience...

 

[snowy_again]

This is starting to sound like something from a J G Ballard novel.

I look forward to tales of middle class mindless consumer product related violence, drugs and sexual debauchery amongst ennui ridden tenants, culminating in an inferno.

 

[Strangerdanger]

This is starting to sound like something from a J G Ballard novel.

I look forward to tales of middle class mindless consumer product related violence, drugs and sexual debauchery amongst ennui ridden tenants, culminating in an inferno.

How does one even begin to have a sense of ennui, when they're participating in said drug taking, sexual debauchery, and violence? Not enough hours in the day.

 

[snowy_again]

The ennui of gated living separated from actual reality causes it... try Millennium People as a starter.

 

[Strangerdanger]

We are allowed out you know? Lol

 

[teuchter]

What is the level of surveillance in the barrier block? Do flats have videophone communication with the entrances?

 

[Crispy]

What is the level of surveillance in the barrier block? Do flats have videophone communication with the entrances?

Just speakerphone. You have to be buzzed through once into the lift lobby, which is (not always) overseen by a security person in a booth, then buzzed through again to get onto the (open to the elements) access ways to the flats.

 

[editor]

What is the level of surveillance in the barrier block? Do flats have videophone communication with the entrances?

Wonders what on earth the Barrier Block has to do with this. Again.

 

[loulou82]

For sure, but this big steel gate and private square just puts a big strawberry on top.

Trust me, i am loving the idea of big steel gate idea at the moment!

The ennui of gated living separated from actual reality causes it... try Millennium People as a starter.

We are not living in a Beverly Hills or Oscar Pistorius style 'gated community' . I'm living in a block of flats that has a gate on it to stop burglars getting in. How does this cause ennui, i really don't understand!?

 

[teuchter]

Trust me, i am loving the idea of big steel gate idea at the moment!

Do you have two layers of gates before the flat entrance, like the barrier block, or just one?

 

[loulou82]

Do you have two layers of gates before the flat entrance, like the barrier block, or just one?

Just one gate

 

[Crispy]

Do you have two layers of gates before the flat entrance, like the barrier block, or just one?

Two would be the norm. One to get into the space that's shared by all the buildings (lift lobby, or courtyard) then another to get into your specific building or floor.

 

[loulou82]

Two would be the norm. One to get into the space that's shared by all the buildings (lift lobby, or courtyard) then another to get into your specific building or floor.

Oh right, yes we have one gate to get into the communal square and then a door to get into our particular block.

 

[Brixton Hatter]

Met only a few neighbours, all owners and all seem very nice, polite.

Unlike the rest of us in Brixton, who are a total nightmare

Really hoping there is a nice community there!

There is already a 'nice' community in Brixton, do get involved

 

[Rushy]

Is the Brixton Square development also portered?

 

[loulou82]

Unlike the rest of us in Brixton, who are a total nightmare

There is already a 'nice' community in Brixton, do get involved

Yes, I live in Brixton and have done for 7 years and want to stick around. I am talking about residential community not the wider community of Brixton. The current resident community in my building in non existent so I am hoping for a much nicer one at Brixton Square. It would be nice to get to know my neighbors on a personal level rather than just shuffling past each other in the hallway.

 

[Strangerdanger]

I

Unlike the rest of us in Brixton, who are a total nightmare

There is already a 'nice' community in Brixton, do get involved

Actually on this note, I'm sure there are many people moving into BS that DO want to get involved within the community, but when reading through this thread may get the impression that the community isn't open to them. It could just be me, but I have been reading this thread since February and only just found the courage to chime in. In can be a bit off putting when it feels like your character is instantly judged based on the fact that you bought a flat.

 

[TruXta]

Actually on this note, I'm sure there are many people moving into BS that DO want to get involved within the community, but when reading through this thread may get the impression that the community isn't open to them. It could just be me, but I have been reading this thread since February and only just found the courage to chime in. In can be a bit off putting when it feels like your character is instantly judged based on the fact that you bought a flat.

There's a fair bit of hyperbole and exaggeration on threads like these, if you actually met say editor, who's been pretty vocal on this and several threads, I think you'd find you could have a pleasant and reasonable chat with him on this and many other topics.

 

[Badgers]

There's a fair bit of hyperbole and exaggeration on threads like these, if you actually met say editor, who's been pretty vocal on this and several threads, I think you'd find you could have a pleasant and reasonable chat with him on this and many other topics.

YUPPIES IN!!!!!

 

[snowy_again]

Trust me, i am loving the idea of big steel gate idea at the moment!

We are not living in a Beverly Hills or Oscar Pistorius style 'gated community' . I'm living in a block of flats that has a gate on it to stop burglars getting in. How does this cause ennui, i really don't understand!?

Haha, no I understand that - go and read that book - it's in the brixton library - all set in Chelsea - which has clear parallels to what's happening in brixton at the mo - certainly not his best book, but the one that has the most immediate connection to the changes in Brixton.

 

[TruXta]

YUPPIES IN!!!!!

Calm down, dear.

 

[Crispy]

You shake it all about

 

[Strangerdanger]

There's a fair bit of hyperbole and exaggeration on threads like these, if you actually met say editor, who's been pretty vocal on this and several threads, I think you'd find you could have a pleasant and reasonable chat with him on this and many other topics.

Fwiw, I'm really glad I did join in. I enjoy a good discussion.