Exploring Southbank Architecture: From Brutalism to Luxury

Amongst its many eye-catching buildings, Southbank’s Brutalist architecture is particularly revered. The Brutalist movement – characterised by minimalist designs and an emphasis on exposed materials and clean-lined constructions – first emerged in the United Kingdom during the 1950s. During this post-war period, avant-garde Brutalism represented an optimistic and progressive new style, as architects rebuilt damaged areas with visions for a thoroughly modern way of living, transcending from the nostalgia of the past to something altogether more futuristic. 

At the time, this desire for a fresh start resounded throughout London, including the run-down Southbank neighbourhood, an industrial area in urgent need of redevelopment following WWII. Southbank caught the attention of millions when it was chosen to host the 1951 Festival of Britain, a nationwide event celebrating British culture and post-war recovery. The festival demonstrated the area’s untold potential as a landmark quarter for the arts and culture, leading to the creation of now-iconic buildings as part of its new identity. 

Consequently, Brutalism’s legacy still echoes on Southbank today. Waterfront visits reveal some of Britain’s most beloved Brutalist gems, including cultural institutions such as the National Theatre, Hayward Gallery and Queen Elizabeth Hall.

In recent years, Southbank’s sensational growth has enticed a wealth of world-class developers, putting the area on the map as an exceptionally desirable residential address. Numerous luxury Southbank developments have sprung up, many crafted with landscaped greenery and contemporary glass structures that show off the neighbourhood’s prime riverside views. That said, none of these elegant residences are so perfectly placed to capture the best of London’s views as Southbank Place, the only address that shares the same prestigious sweep of the River Thames as the Houses of Parliament.

Then there is SEVEN at Southbank Place, sitting pride of place alongside leafy Jubilee Gardens. Introducing a new icon to Southbank’s waterfront, the 13-storey building is curated with 92 exquisite apartments and penthouses, each blending flowing, light-filled spaces with elevated comforts for 21st century lifestyles. Its contemporary good looks were created by award-winning architectural firm Stanton Williams, who envisaged a sculptural building that was guaranteed to turn heads while harmonising with Southbank’s fêted architectural heritage, complete with faceted forms, natural stone finishes and elegantly shaped balconies. Accordingly, SEVEN fits seamlessly into its surroundings, creating a dynamic architectural dialogue with Southbank’s famed Brutalist buildings via elements such as the linear form and solid stone façade.