Residents host public tours of Tottenham homes on historic estate

The Ferry Lane Estate was completed in 1978 and envisioned “a pleasant environment for residents”, reports Olivia Opara

Residents of a Tottenham estate are hosting public tours celebrating its 1970s architecture and design.

On 8th and 9th September, Ferry Lane Action Group (FLAG) is hosting two tours of Ferry Lane Estate as part of the Open House Festival. The tours will include visits to residents’ homes, information on the original architectural design, tenancy types and history, as well as taking in the bordering River Lea.

Ferry Lane Estate was originally the site of the Harris Lebus furniture factory – the world’s largest, also occupying the area of Hale Village. The factory dominated the UK furniture market during the 20th Century, employing around 5,000 local residents before closing just over 50 years ago. The estate was designed and built by the Greater London Council (GLC), using neo-vernacular materials such as brick, tiles, and other ‘traditional’ materials associated with indigenous structures.

Paul Collier, secretary of FLAG and author of two books about the Lebus factory, said that the estate’s “low-density accommodation blocks” offered “an alternative to tall tower blocks that were favoured in the 1960s. With play areas and communal green spaces the
estate envisioned a pleasant environment for residents.”

Melissa and Vicky of Kessock Close and Jason of Armadale Close will be opening up their homes to tour attendees, allowing them to see various architectural designs within the estate. Jason said: “This pioneering estate is standing the test of time. It vastly improved the sense of community through design innovations that were fatally lacking from many failed tower blocks of the 1960s. The dense tree planting and greening of the estate from the day it was built is now flourishing. Many people living here are proud to be part of this and to stand by that saying that their castle is their home.”

Vicky added: “I think it is important that people see how council flats were built in their heyday and the learning from the mistakes of the 1950s and 1960s to show that, if well thought through, these can provide a great place to live and generate thriving communities.”

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