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The 1960 style murals hark back to another age when the Post Office was a government department responsible for Posts & Telecommunications. Buildings were large and spacious and a showcase of the evolving technologies. |
Overview
Fleet Building was another vast telecommunications centre, which was designed by W.S. Frost under guidance from chief architect Eric Bedford, of the Ministry of Works. This 11 storey building was completed in 1960 and (in 2012 still) occupies a large site between Shoe Lane and Farringdon Street. Currently owned by Goldman Sach, it is due to be redeveloped soon...
40 Shoe Lane
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The Shoe Lane entrance has the legend 'Fleet Building' (in corporate font style) across the canopy. |
The Murals
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The murals by Miss Dorothy Annan depict an arty telecom theme of Sixties innovation, technology and inspiration of a bygone age. |
The ceramic tiles of D.Annan's designs were manufactured and installed by Hathernware Ltd. Miss Annan was paid £300 per panel for the 1960s commission.
The Twentieth Century Society and the Tiles & Architectural Ceramic Society worked together to secure an English Heritage Grade II listing (on 21st November 2011) for these unique murals. The listing was supported by Frank Auerbach (artist) and Penelope Curtis (Director, Tate Britain).
Of the murals, English Heritage said they were "testifying to the atmosphere of optimism and excitement about new technology and communications in the 1950s and 1960s".
References
Financial Times November 22nd - Goldman hits a wall over City HQ plan by Ed Hammond, Property Correspondent.
The Twentieth Century Society
Tiles & Architectural Ceramic Society
Hathernware manufactured terracotta and architectural faience and was acquired by IBSTOCK in 1990.
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