Brutalist Southbank Centre granted listed status

A building once described as "Britain's ugliest" has been granted Grade II listed status, ending a 35‑year campaign to secure protection for one of London's Brutalist landmarks.

The decision by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport means any future changes to the Southbank Centre arts complex will now face strict heritage oversight.

Catherine Croft, director of campaign group Twentieth Century Society, said the "battle has been won and Brutalism has finally come of age".

The arts complex has long divided opinion, but it is also regarded as a defining example of post‑war British architecture and a major cultural hub on the Thames.

The site was designed by a young team led by architect Norman Engleback and was voted "Britain's ugliest building" by readers of the Daily Mail when it first opened in October 1967.

Today, the site hosts a variety of events including visual arts, theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, literature, poetry and debate.

The Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, Hayward Gallery and terraced walkways and stairs, have all now been listed as Grade II.

The Royal Festival Hall was previously listed as Grade I in 1988.

Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society had repeatedly urged ministers to list all the buildings, submitting recommendations on six separate occasions since 1991.

Croft said: "We're absolutely thrilled that this internationally recognised concrete‑masterpiece of post‑war architecture has finally been accepted as part of our national heritage, some 35 years after the Twentieth Century Society first campaigned for the Southbank Centre to be protected.

"It has been our longest‑running campaign ever so it is fantastic to have it recognised as the really important building that it is."

She described the centre as being "admired as one of the best brutalist buildings in the world" and said the decision to grant Grade II status "is obviously very well deserved and long overdue".

The new designation ensures the layout, interiors and characteristic concrete forms of the site will be preserved.

The Twentieth Century Society praised Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross for making the decision and Historic England, which had worked with the society to press the case for the site's inclusion on the national register.

A spokesperson for the Southbank Centre said: "The Grade II listing recognises the architectural and civic importance of the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery.

"The listing underlines the need for government investment in our buildings – all of which they own.

"We look forward to working with the government to ensure these buildings are able to thrive long into the future."

The Southbank Centre has also asked the government for £30m to support improvements to its infrastructure in its 75th anniversary year.

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