The Beaux-Arts movement is a relatively unknown historical architectural style, despite it being recognised in some of the most famous landmark buildings in the world. Think Grand Central Terminal in New York, or the Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C.
These are unapologetic, grand, ‘speaking designs’ that celebrate human achievement, with beautiful angles turning everyday movement into a blend of angles, with the core principle being that a building should engage with its audience.
Grand Central Terminal in New York City remains one of the premier examples of worldwide Beaux-Arts style.
A brief history
Originating in Paris in the 1830s, it blended grandiose French classicism and neoclassicism post-French Revolution. Four young budding architects of the time, who all attended the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, championed the style and sought to create a ‘national character’ for the time, unlike anything seen before it.
Hence, out of the school emerged the Beaux-Arts style we know today, with perhaps the best example from the time, the Royal Opera House in Paris, ‘Palais Garnier’. This speaks the loudest and personifies the national identity of the time.
The Beaux-Arts Building – why we Love It
A gas lamp outside of the Beaux-Arts Building, N19.
The Beaux-Arts Building in Holloway, North London, is the former GPO Money Order Office for the Royal Mail in North London. Constructed in 1909, it evokes the true styling of the Beaux-Arts movement, with a strict hierarchy and usage of spaces, and symmetrical brickwork and lines. It creates a sense of stability and calm, unlike most brick-converted Edwardian-era buildings in London.
What I think is so special about this particular building is that the residents take great pride in maintaining the look, avoiding any cheap materials and instead ensuring every feature is retained in its original style. Every internal surface is looked at and treated like a valuable asset, with the marble pillars, vaulted ceilings, and gilded reliefs of the lobby and communal corridors.
The lobby of the Beaux-Arts Building is believed to have been modelled on the lobby at Grand Central Station, NYC.
The building is of special architectural interest to Islington Council, and there was an infamous 2011 development battle with the original developers and management, converting an original part of the entrance lobby (as above), which was the porters office and post room, deemed an essential part of the historic modelling of the lobby. Sadly, the battle was lost, but it shows how passionate everyone was to push the developers to planning and appeal.
For a relatively sympathetic conversion, it has well over a hundred properties and still keeps its cool character. I have had the pleasure of dealing with many properties over the years, of which two recent lofts the previous owners were hugely passionate about the special nature of the building, its history, and place in time.
A wonderful loft sold with triple-height ceilings and epic proportions. SOLD – Unique Property Company
A top-floor split-level flat more in the urban loft style with sweeping views across North London. SOLD – Unique Property Company
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