In an attempt to make their towering monstrosity more palatable, Brixton developers Hondo have been compelled to replace the ugly ground-level supports with a dirty great big column, which they’ve decided to spin into some sort of architectural masterpiece.
Describing the concrete column as a “new gathering point for Pope’s Road,” the developers claim that it “creates a new special feature within the square which characterizes the proposed public realm in a unique way.”
They say:
The proposed design amendment seeks to further strengthen the quality of the public realm on Pope’s Road by introducing a new gathering point for the square.
Many public spaces often presents special features, in the form of art pieces, memorials, special piece of furnitures or even natural elements which act as focal and meeting point within them.
These elements, which are often unique, become attractors that enhance the quality of the public space by defining and characterizing it.
In addition, these special features often include seating elements or resting points which allow people to enjoy the quality of the space and at the same time break the pace of the city by providing a moment of contemplation.
And here it is. And it has aspirations:
A special design feature
Clad in a rich and delicate material such as terrazzo, the new circular column will become a centerpiece of the new public square on Pope’s Road.
The use of curves softens the edges and in conjunction with the different tonality make it stands out from the rest of the structure.
Its scale and dimension expresses solidity whilst the shape of the integrated seating area invites the user to sit and to take a moment of contemplation.
Its unique design will become a recognizable feature of the square with the aspiration to grow into a new gathering point for the whole neighbourhood.
Yes, this is no ordinary column.
This is the incredible Hondo Column which does much, much more than hold up a building.
It expresses solidarity, it invites contemplation and also “acts as a catalyst within the square creating a new gathering point where people can meet, seat, relax and interact almost like a fireplace does in a living room. ”
Yes, you read that right. That big, thick column is where people are apparently going to be flocking to and interacting with. Like a fireplace.
And to underline the just how popular it’s going to be, their planning document includes comparisons with the world famous Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus and the Trafalgar Square fountains. Because they’re kind of round too.
(below: screengrab from their documentation):
“Hey guys, where are we all going tonight?”
[excitedly]
“Well, we’re headed off to the Hondo Column. It’s the new place to meet and sit and relax. We’re going to be interacting with the column all night. It’s like no column we’ve ever seen.”
Strangely enough, you can barely notice the incredible Hondo Column in this illustration, but still the company can’t stop themselves lavishing praise on the thing, adding:
The soft form and the special material treatment makes it stand out within the space almost as if it is an art piece, a special artefact.
So there you have it.
The Hondo Column is not – as you might think – a bland structural necessity to cover up the ugliness of their original design – it is in fact an “art piece” and a “special artefact.”
Feel free to add what you’d like to call it in the comments box below.
About the Enormo Tower
This is the lucrative 20-storey monstrosity in the heart of Brixton that the US-backed developers are trying to push though.
Before Lambeth curiously stopped adding new comments to their planning site, the public reaction stood at 848 objections with just 7 people in support, spurring the company’s PR team into rather dubiously trying to solicit passers-by to sign pre-written letters in support of the scheme.
And it’s not just the public who are against this blot on the landscape – damning comments have come from Historic England, the Brixton Society, nearby Carney Place and Milles Square Residents’ Association, the Brixton Market Traders Federation and ward Cllr Emma Nye, with local MP Helen Hayes really laying into the scheme.
Local opposition is so strong that a recently-launched petition against Hondo Enormo-Tower has already garnered well over 3,500 signatures, with more signing every day.
This really is a hugely unpopular development, and it’s being irresponsibly pushed forward at a time when some experts are predicting huge changes in office culture due to coronavirus health concerns.
Read more on Lambeth Planning
Join the discussion
Join in with the lively forum discussions on the Brixton forum:
- Hondo’s huge plans for Pope’s Road, Brixton (over 300 posts)
- Brixton Village, Market Row, Pope’s Road, Lost In Brixton and Hondo Enterprises’ Brixton empire (over 380 posts)
Have your say about the development
Sign the petition
Who’s behind the development?
The planning application says that the scheme “is a joint venture by AG Hondo Pope’s Road BV who have an agreement to purchase the site, currently occupied by Sports Direct and Flannels.”
It goes on to claim that Hondo is part of a property development company who have a “longstanding presence in the borough having purchased Market Row and Brixton Village” in, err, “March 2018.”
Housekeeping DJ and socialite Taylor McWilliams – the sole director of Hondo Enterprises who own Brixton Village and Market Row – is also a director of AG Hondo Pope’s Road BV, along with Robert Tieskens, a director of the Netherlands arm of the monster New York based investment company, Angelo Gordon.
Read more
- Brixton for sale: who are Hondo Enterprises, owners of Brixton Village, Market Row, Club 414 and more?
- Privilege, wealth and power: Brixton landlord Taylor McWilliams and his Housekeeping DJ Collective
- Brixton anti-gentrification crowdfunder raises over £10,000 in one day, as locals decry landlords Taylor McWilliams and Hondo
Mike – have they approached you yet? You wrote the blurb for Hondo didn’t you? Go on admit it sir even if you did it as a satire you’ve given them the idea and they don’t understand humour. And how can we beat the name you’ve come up with – The Incredible Hondo Column. Part of the Hondo Enormo Complex. Sorry to be so sycophantic but my admiration is complete. And it’s only Friday…….
What a monstrosity that looks like towering over everything around it like some sort of ogre – can’t believe they are being permitted to do this to Brixton – it’s a scandal