Life in the tower block once the tallest in London where the only downside is the lift doesn’t always work

Draper Estate in Elephant and Castle was the tallest block of flats in London when it was built in 1965.

It was only March this year the last original resident moved out; at the time Southwark Lib Dem Councillor Graham Neale said “she will be missed”.

Although it sits in the shadows of the 43-storey Strata tower, the Draper building still stands out against London’s grey skies with its striking white marble slabs running up the block.

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The Draper building (right) stands underneath the Strata tower (left)

Window cleaner Ian Mccheyne, 56, has lived on the 12th floor for 36 years and brought up both his children there.

He said: “It’s very central, I love it here. It’s diverse, there’s loads of different people from all different places, it’s home and I could not think of being anywhere else.

“I just love the Elephant and Castle as well; my family have lived in Walworth for over one hundred years.”

He hinted at a darker history though, saying it was at one point the “suicide capital” of London because of its height.

He added that people might not realise the block contains maisonettes, so you get two floors, and there are fire escapes unlike many other blocks built in the 70s and 80s.

Although the flats do not have sprinklers, they have not had to deal with cladding issues like many of London’s other high-rise builds.

The Draper building is significant due to its angular brutalist architecture

The Draper building has white marble cladding

Sixth floor occupant Alma Rahman, 27, said: “It’s a nice area and the building is actually quite nice, it’s pretty safe and quite quiet, no issues living here.

“It’s really handy having shops around and if you do need something there is something nearby.

“I feel a sense of community, there’s always posters for events. I think there is quite a lot going on.”

Thirteenth floor resident Youcef Toumac, 31, has lived on the estate for five years and was positive about his experience, saying the people were “good” and “respectful”.

“The only bad thing I would say is the lift sometimes is stuck, especially when it is hot, that’s it,” he added.

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The 25-storey brutalist building was designed by radical architects Hubert Bennett and Kenneth Campbell as part of the post-war reconstruction effort, replacing Victorian Alms-houses that had been damaged during the war.

It takes its name from the Worshipful Company of Drapers, one of London’s oldest and most powerful livery companies founded in 1361.

Members of the company include over 100 Lord mayors and the Queen, and today they still function as a charity and education centre by providing buildings for UK universities.

Originally intended as social housing, today’s tenants include a mix of council and private owners, as well as shops.

There are around 300 homes in total, with 141 flats in the high-rise block plus lower rise blocks and houses.

After the destruction of the Heygate Estate in 2014 to make way for the ‘Elephant Park’ regeneration project, residents have been keen to ensure it survives as one of Britain’s last 60’s Brutalist housing schemes.

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https://www.mylondon.news/news/nostalgia/life-tower-block-once-tallest-21480470

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