Du Cane Court
Du Cane Court is an Art Deco apartment block on Balham High Road, Balham, south London. A distinctive local landmark, it comprises 677 apartments and was believed to be Europe's largest privately owned apartment block when it was built in 1937.[1]
It was a popular place to live for many music hall stars in the 1930s and 1940s and boasted a social club, on the top floor, before the area was converted into flats. Past residents have included the comedian Tommy Trinder.[2] Currently comedian and writer Arthur Smith, the self-styled 'Bard of Balham', is a resident.[3]
During the Second World War it was speculated that Du Cane Court had escaped bombing because it was planned for use by military officers in the event of a successful German invasion.[4][5] One reason for this theory is that the building was believed to resemble a swastika from above, but this is not true.[6]
Similar Art Deco residential buildings in London include Florin Court, Cholmeley Lodge and Hillfield Court
References
[edit]- ^ "Property: 8 outstanding Art Deco homes". Yahoo Finance. 17 June 2022.
- ^ Vincent, Gregory K. (2008). A history of Du Cane Court : land, architecture, people and politics. Woodbine. ISBN 978-0-9541675-1-6.
- ^ Robinson, Karen. "Arthur Smith: Don't pay me in cash, I'll just put it in the bin". The Times. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
- ^ Taw, Susannah. "Streets of London: Chestnut Grove, SW12". Time Out. Archived from the original on 23 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
- ^ Noble, Heather. "The Story of Bevin's Babes". BBC.
- ^ "The Balham Berghof: Du Cane Court". historiclondontours.com. 6 August 2022.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Vincent, Gregory A History Of Du Cane Court September 2011
- Map sources for Du Cane Court
51°26′30″N 0°09′20″W / 51.441634°N 0.155522°W
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