Towering over the heart of London, Centre Point is a building that has divided opinion for decades. Some hail it as an architectural masterpiece, others as a concrete monstrosity. But love it or loathe it, this iconic landmark has an undeniably fascinating history, full of intrigue, scandal, and transformation.

From the Ground Up
Centre Point’s story begins in the swinging 1960s, a decade of dramatic cultural shifts and urban reinvention. The building was commissioned by property tycoon Harry Hyams, whose vision was as ambitious as it was controversial. Designed by architect Richard Seifert, Centre Point was to be a gleaming symbol of modernity, a statement of post-war progress and optimism.

Construction began in 1963, and by 1966, the 34-storey tower was complete. At 117 metres tall, it was one of London’s first skyscrapers, its concrete and glass façade a stark contrast to the city’s historic architecture. Seifert’s brutalist design, with its honeycomb-patterned exterior, was bold, unapologetic, and utterly modern. Yet, while its silhouette reshaped London’s skyline, the building was about to make headlines for an entirely different reason.
The Scandal of an Empty Tower
For years after its completion, Centre Point stood eerily empty, a hollow monument to speculative greed. Hyams, who had funded the project privately, refused to lease the building piecemeal. He insisted on finding a single tenant willing to take the entire space — a strategy that proved futile. Meanwhile, London was grappling with a housing crisis, and the sight of a vacant skyscraper became a powerful symbol of inequality.

The press had a field day. Protesters gathered outside the building, chanting slogans and demanding its use as housing. In 1974, squatters briefly occupied the building to highlight the absurdity of its emptiness in a city desperate for homes. The campaign even inspired the formation of Shelter, the housing charity, cementing Centre Point’s place in the annals of social activism.
Hyams, however, was unmoved. The building’s value continued to soar as property prices rose, and he was content to let it sit idle. To him, Centre Point was less an office block and more a financial asset — a philosophy that seemed to embody the very essence of capitalism.
A Change of Heart
Eventually, Centre Point did find tenants, and by the 1980s, it had become a bustling office hub. But its reputation remained tainted by its controversial beginnings. Over time, the building’s brutalist design also fell out of favour, with critics describing it as dated and oppressive. By the early 2000s, Centre Point was widely seen as an eyesore, a relic of a bygone era in desperate need of a facelift.
Enter developer Almacantar, which purchased the building in 2011 with ambitious plans for its future. Their vision? To transform Centre Point from a tired office block into a luxury residential tower, complete with high-end apartments, a public plaza, and retail spaces. It was a bold gamble, but one that paid off.
Reinventing an Icon

The building underwent a massive £100 million refurbishment, overseen by Rick Mather Architects and Conran and Partners. The project involved stripping the tower back to its concrete core and painstakingly restoring its distinctive façade. Inside, the interiors were reimagined as sleek, modern living spaces, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the city.
When the revamped Centre Point reopened in 2018, it was almost unrecognisable. The ground-level public plaza, St Giles Square, became a vibrant gathering space, complete with fountains and seating areas. The tower itself was now home to 82 luxury apartments, with prices starting at a cool £2 million. At the very top, a penthouse boasting panoramic views of London hit the market for an eye-watering £55 million.
St Giles Square and Its Role in Crossrail Redevelopment
St Giles Square, the public plaza at the base of Centre Point, is a key component of the area’s transformation following the Crossrail redevelopment. This ambitious project, which introduced the Elizabeth line to London, revitalised the entire Tottenham Court Road area, turning this area of the West End into a bustling nexus of activity. The square, with its landscaped design and contemporary water features, serves as both a community hub and a gateway to one of the city’s busiest transport interchanges.
St Giles Square is home to an array of retail and dining options that cater to the area’s diverse visitors. Notable occupiers include VIVI, a stylish restaurant offering modern British cuisine, and several boutique stores showcasing cutting-edge fashion and design. Its strategic location, just steps from the newly upgraded Tottenham Court Road tube station, ensures a constant stream of foot traffic, making it a lively destination both day and night.
Centre Point’s Food Hall

Arcade Food Hall is located at the base of Centre Point. This vibrant dining destination offers a variety of global cuisines in a sleek, modern setting. It features multiple food counters, each specialising in a different type of cuisine, as well as a central bar for drinks. Arcade has become a popular spot for both locals and visitors, thanks to its lively atmosphere, excellent food, and convenient location.

The food hall perfectly complements the revitalised Centre Point area, adding to its appeal as a dining and socialising hub. From casual lunches to evening drinks, Arcade Food Hall provides an accessible yet trendy experience in the heart of London.
Proximity to Tottenham Court Road Station and Outernet
Centre Point’s prime location is one of its greatest assets. It sits adjacent to Tottenham Court Road tube station, a major transport hub that connects the Central and Northern lines, as well as the Elizabeth line. The station’s recent refurbishment, completed as part of the Crossrail project, has further enhanced its appeal, providing a modern, efficient gateway to Centre Point and its surrounding attractions.

Right next door to Center Point is Outernet London, a cutting-edge immersive media and culture district. Outernet features massive wraparound LED screens, live performance spaces, and experiential retail outlets, creating a futuristic complement to Centre Point’s retro-modern charm. Together, these landmarks form a vibrant nexus of technology, culture, and urban design, drawing visitors from all corners of the globe.
Cultural Cachet

Beyond its architectural and social significance, Centre Point has also made its mark on popular culture. The building has appeared in countless films and TV shows, from the gritty streetscapes of “The Sweeney” to the glossy world of “Absolutely Fabulous.” It’s even been name-checked in songs, cementing its status as a cultural icon.
In recent years, Centre Point has also embraced its artistic side. St Giles Square regularly hosts art installations and events, further embedding the building into the fabric of London life. It’s a far cry from its early days as a deserted skyscraper, and a reminder of how much the city has changed.
Love It or Hate It
Of course, Centre Point’s transformation hasn’t been without controversy. Critics have argued that its luxury apartments are emblematic of London’s growing inequality, a city increasingly divided between the haves and have-nots. Others bemoan the loss of office space in a prime location, suggesting that the building’s new incarnation serves only the wealthy elite.
Yet, for all its flaws, Centre Point remains undeniably iconic. It’s a building that has weathered decades of change, reflecting the city’s highs and lows in its concrete bones. Whether you see it as a masterpiece or a monstrosity, there’s no denying its place in London’s story.
A Modern Landmark
Today, Centre Point stands as a modern landmark, its honeycomb façade gleaming in the sunlight. It’s a building that has been many things: a beacon of optimism, a symbol of greed, a hub of luxury, and a canvas for reinvention. And while its future may hold new chapters, one thing is certain: Centre Point will always be a part of London’s ever-evolving skyline.
Whether you admire (or critique) the bold design, ponder its checkered history, and marvel at how this once-empty tower became one of the city’s most enduring icons. Centre Point is more than just a building — it’s a reflection of London itself: complex, controversial, and endlessly fascinating.
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