Update: Lobbying rules! Tracey Emin wrote this on her Instagram today: Fantastic, unanimous vote last night by Thanet District Council to reject the tilt and turn window plan for Arlington House. A loud cheer was heard in the Margate council chamber.
Personally, it was such a relief. The decision restored some of my faith in humanity.
MARGATE I NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU, Dame Tracey Emin is teaming up with residents and the 20th Century Society to oppose plans to replace the original windows of Arlington House, the iconic 1960s Brutalist tower with views over the Margate’s seafront. The Margate-born artist, who owns a flat in the building, said that she is “fiercely opposed” to the plans submitted by property leaseholders Freshwater, which are “dangerous and inappropriate.”
Designed by Russell Diplock and opened in 1963, Arlington House is considered one of the finest examples of post-war British architecture and sits dramatically alongside other Margate icons,
including the Grade II-listed Dreamland Cinema. Its critics argue its aesthetic and historical integrity would be compromised by trading slender, sliding aluminium windows for bulkier tilt-and-turn designs.
Emin said: “If Arlington House were in London or another major city, it would be listed and looked after as an outstanding building.” She added that concerns about the cost, embodied carbon, and patchwork appearance would come from inconsistent window replacements.
Even though over 200 objections have been submitted, the proposals do not include full elevation drawings required under planning guidelines. This has led the residents to call on Thanet Council to refuse the application in a vote scheduled for November 20. Campaigners say the stakes are high because it would irreparably damage Margate’s architectural heritage.
Background information
The planning application is to replace the windows of Arlington House, the iconic 1960s Brutalist residential block overlooking Margate. It is notable for its slender aluminium sliding windows, which are part of its curtain wall construction.
Freshwater, the leaseholder of the building, wants to replace these with chunky tilt-and-turn windows, massively increasing the sightline thickness from 35mm to 175mm-an approximately 400% increase in view. Critics say this would significantly affect the aesthetic of the building, impinge on the views, and increase the embodied carbon through the increased use of aluminium.
The lease structure further complicates this, with not all windows being replaced, which would give a patchwork appearance and detract from the uniformity of the façade. Despite a requirement from planning regulations for detailed elevation drawings to be provided, Freshwater has yet to give these, and therefore, it isn’t easy to assess the full visual impact.
Campaigners argue that viable compliance sliding window options have not been explored. Leaseholders—who will pay more than £40,000 per flat for the works—feel their views on the works have been ignored. The application does nothing to address sustainability or heritage preservation concerns.
Top Photo: © Artlyst 2024