The 50p Building: 4 Things You Didn't Know About Number One Croydon
If you have ever passed through East Croydon station, you can’t miss it. Rising out of the South London skyline like a stack of white poker chips, Number One Croydon is one of the most distinctive skyscrapers in the UK.
While critics in the 1970s didn't always love it, today it is a cult classic. Whether you know it as the NLA Tower, the "Threepenny Bit," or simply the "50p Building," this jagged, sculpted tower is a masterpiece of Space Age design.
Explore our Number One Croydon collection featuring prints, mugs, apparel and much more.
Here are 4 fascinating facts about Croydon’s most famous landmark.
1. It was designed by the "Wizard" of London Architecture
Number One Croydon was designed by Richard Seifert & Partners, the exact same architects responsible for the famous Centre Point tower in the West End and the NatWest Tower in the City.
Seifert was known as the wizard of 1960s commercial architecture. He loved breaking away from boring, rectangular boxes. For Croydon, he wanted something futuristic. Completed in 1970, the tower’s jagged, octagonal shape was incredibly advanced for its time, designed to maximize natural light for the office workers inside.
2. The "50p" nickname was perfect timing
Locals almost immediately dubbed it the "50p Building" because its octagonal footprint looked exactly like the seven-sided 50 pence piece.
The funny part? The building was completed in 1970, and the first 50p coin was released in October 1969. The two icons entered British life at almost the exact same time, forever linking the skyscraper to the pocket change of millions of Londoners.
Above: A poster of the iconic stacked windows from our Number One Croydon collection.
3. It’s a "Black Mirror" Star
In 2018, Number One Croydon gained a whole new generation of fans when it starred in the hit Netflix interactive film, Black Mirror: Bandersnatch.
The production team transformed the exterior of the building into the headquarters of "Tuckersoft," the fictional video game company where the main character works. The building’s retro-futuristic aesthetic made it the perfect setting for a psychological thriller set in 1984.
4. It is a Masterclass in "Space Age" Style
While many people lump it in with Brutalist architecture (due to the era and the architect), Number One Croydon is actually a prime example of Space Age design.
Unlike the raw, grey concrete of the South Bank, this tower is clad in bright white mosaics and darkly tinted glass. The "wedge" shaped windows and the robotic, repeated patterns give it a kinetic energy that looks like it belongs on a moon base rather than in South London.
Love the "50p Building"?
Whether you are a Croydon local, a fan of Richard Seifert, or just love the weird and wonderful side of London architecture, check out our exclusive collection.
We have turned those iconic jagged lines into a range of mugs, art prints, products and apparel.