Editing Elephant and Castle (section)

== 20th century ==
=== Peak years: 1900–1939 ===
The area became the location for a thriving shopping area, known as "the Piccadilly (Circus) of South London",<ref name="BBC News"/> with its own department store (William Tarn and Co) and many smaller outlets. Also featured were a shoe factory, a branch of Burton and a renowned hatter.

In 1930, the Trocadero, a monumental neo-Renaissance style picture house seating over 3000 and fitted with the largest [[Wurlitzer]] organ imported to the United Kingdom, was built at the northern corner of the New Kent Road (a plaque commemorating the building was unveiled in 2008 by [[Denis Norden]], who had worked there in his youth).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trocadero-wurlitzer.org/history/history.html |title=History |publisher=The Trocadero Wurlitzer Trust |access-date=16 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513235523/http://trocadero-wurlitzer.org/history/history.html |archive-date=13 May 2014 }}</ref> This was replaced in 1966 by a smaller cinema (the Odeon, known for a time after closure as an Odeon in 1982 as the Coronet, not to be confused with the Coronet below) which was demolished in 1988.

In 1932, another cinema opened across the street, [[The Coronet]]. From the early to mid 2000s until its eventual closure for impending demolition, The Coronet building was mostly used as a night-club and concert venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coronettheatre.co.uk/ |title=Coronet – The Coronet Theatre London |work=coronettheatre.co.uk}}</ref>

At the time it seated over 2000 people, and was an art-deco conversion of the Elephant and Castle theatre, opened in 1879 on the site of the short-lived Theatre Royal (built in 1872 and burnt down six years later). It was reconstructed in 1882 and again in 1902.

One monument to cinema still remains just off the Elephant, the [[Cinema Museum (London)|Cinema Museum]] is a volunteer-run museum with screenings of classic cinema and a vast collection of cinema memorabilia. It is located in the old workhouse where [[Charlie Chaplin]] spent time as a child.

==== Second World War ====

The Elephant was the centre of the target zone for the German air raids on London on 10 May 1941 and suffered "raging fires".<ref>Mortimer, Gavin. ''The Bombing of London on 10 May 1941''. The Berkeley Publishing Group, 2005. p. 18, 251.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military-history.org/articles/world-war-2/blitz-ww2.htm |title=Blitz WW2 – The Battle of London |publisher=Military History Monthly |date=22 January 2011|access-date=2 May 2014}}</ref>

==== Post-war rebuilding (1945–2000) ====
[[File:E&Cshoppingcentre.jpg|thumb|322x322px|The Elephant and Castle shopping centre, [[Hannibal House]] and [[The Coronet]] in September 2020]]
The major development of the 1960s consisted of post-war reconstruction to a larger metropolitan plan, much of it replacing properties destroyed by bombing in World War II and creating two infamous roundabouts.

The Metropolitan Tabernacle was reconstructed behind its preserved classical facade to a smaller scale than the original. Alexander Fleming House (1959), originally a group of government office blocks and now [[Metro Central Heights]] residential complex, is a prime example of the work of the Hungarian modernist architect [[Ernő Goldfinger]].

The shopping centre, designed by Boissevain & Osmond for the Willets Group, was opened in March 1965. It was the first covered shopping mall in Europe,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/reinvent-the-high-street/10370532/Reinventing-the-high-street-Elephant-and-Castles-transformation.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/reinvent-the-high-street/10370532/Reinventing-the-high-street-Elephant-and-Castles-transformation.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Reinventing the high street: Elephant and Castle's transformation |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=14 October 2013 |location=London |access-date=29 March 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> with 120 shops on three levels and a two-storey underground car-park. In the sales brochure (1963), Willets claimed it to be the "largest and most ambitious shopping venture ever to be embarked upon in London. In design planning and vision it represents an entirely new approach to retailing, setting standards for the sixties that will revolutionise shopping concepts throughout Britain." When it opened, budget restrictions meant that the proportions and finishes of the building had had to be scaled down and only 29 out of a possible 120 shops were trading. The demolition of the shopping centre and [[The Coronet]] took place in 2021.

The Elephant is the location of the [[London College of Communication]], formerly the London College of Printing, an internationally renowned dedicated college, part of [[University of the Arts London]]. The present structure was constructed during the redevelopment of the area in the early 1960s. It is slated for demolition in the mid 2020s, when the college is due to move to a new campus being built on the site of the Coronet Theatre.

In 1974 the [[Brutalist]] [[Heygate Estate]], designed by Tim Tinker,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/mar/04/death-housing-ideal |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Stephen |last=Moss |title=The death of a housing ideal |date=4 March 2011}}</ref> was completed.<ref name=guardian>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2001/dec/23/life1.lifemagazine1 |title=The Elephant's grave yard |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=23 December 2001 | access-date=4 May 2010 |first=Michael |last=Collins}}</ref>  It was home to more than 3,000 people.<ref name="youngfoundation.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.planning.ri.gov/documents/comp/Design_for_Social_Sustainability.pdf |title=Design for Social Sustainability : A Framework for Creating Thriving New Communities |publisher=Planning.ri.gov |access-date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304222014/http://www.planning.ri.gov/documents/comp/Design_for_Social_Sustainability.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  The estate was once a popular place to live, the flats being thought light and spacious,<ref name="Walker">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2010/sep/03/heygate-estate-south-london-hollywood |title=South London's Heygate estate mourned by locals – and Hollywood |work=The Guardian |first=Peter |last=Walker |date=3 September 2010}}</ref> but the estate later developed a reputation for crime, poverty and dilapidation.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/content/articles/2009/03/05/london_heygate_s15_w8_video_feature.shtml |title=Heygate estate |publisher=BBC London | access-date=2 October 2013}}</ref> It was demolished in the 2010s and replaced with the Elephant Park development, which, the developer claimed, includes "the largest new green space to be created in London for 70 years."<ref name=Morrisroe>{{cite web |url=https://www.morrisroe.co.uk/project/elephant-park |title=Elephant Park |publisher=Morrisroe | access-date=7 June 2021}}</ref>

[[Perronet House]], an award-winning residential block owned by Southwark Council, was designed by [[Sir Roger Walters]]. It was completed in 1970 and extended in 1987.

At the south of the area stood Castle House (an office building now replaced by [[Strata SE1]]), which was part of the Draper Estaste. When Draper House, which still exists, was built in 1964, with its 25 floors, it was the tallest structure in London. The design was by [[Hubert Bennett]] of the London City Council's (LCC's) Architects Department and inspired by Le Corbusier. Well regarded at the time, the building was featured in Architecture Review which said it, 'sets a standard of clarity and vigour'.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.drapertogether.org/history#history-info |location=London |work=Draper Together |title=Elephant And Castle - Local History |date=2019}}</ref>

=== 21st century: gentrification ===
[[File:E&Cregeneration.jpg|thumb|322x322px|Demolition of the [[Heygate Estate]], construction of Elephant Central, and the Artworks - May 2014]]

[[File:ElephantPark2.jpg|thumb|322x322px|Elephant Park - former site of the [[Heygate Estate]]]]
In recent times the area has had a reputation for successful ethnic diversity and centrality. The area's proximity to major areas of employment, including Westminster, the [[West End of London|West End]] and the [[City of London|City]], has meant that a certain amount of [[gentrification]] has taken place.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/blogs/blighty/2013/09/mapping-gentrification |title=Mapping gentrification |newspaper=The Economist|date=9 September 2013 }}</ref>

From the mid-2000s, the area became the subject to a master-planned redevelopment budgeted at £1.5 billion. A Development Framework was approved by [[London Borough of Southwark|Southwark Council]] in 2004. It covers 170 acres (688,000 m<sup>2</sup>) and envisages restoring the Elephant to the role of major urban hub for inner London that it occupied before [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lendlease.com/europe/united-kingdom/projects/elephant-and-castle-regeneration |title=Elephant & Castle regeneration|access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> There have been moves to protect the last of the architecturally important tenement blocks nearby through the creation of a conservation area covering the [[Pullens buildings]].

A substantial amount of post-[[World War II]] social housing that was claimed to have failed by the Council has been demolished, including the [[Heygate Estate]], replaced with developments consisting of a mix of social and private-sector housing and a 2-acres green space, Elephant Park, part of rebranding the whole development. This portion of the site is being developed by [[Lendlease]]. The site includes what the developers called "one of the largest new parks in Central London in 70 years",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/council-set-to-sign-off-heygate-plans-34215 |title=Council set to sign off Heygate plans |work=Inside Housing}}</ref> which only became part of the project after protests from local activists to retain as many of the mature trees on the site as possible.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bf9d750a-cb9f-11e3-8ccf-00144feabdc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/bf9d750a-cb9f-11e3-8ccf-00144feabdc0 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=Hidden forest at the heart of London's Heygate estate regeneration |work=Financial Times|date=2 May 2014 }}</ref> A large water feature and paddling pool, named Elephant Springs, is located in the north eastern quarter of the park.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://londonist.com/london/things-to-do/elephant-springs-water-feature-reopens-for-the-season/ |title=Kids Will Love These Nature-Inspired Play Fountains In Elephant And Castle |work=Londonist|date=7 April 2022 }}</ref>

In 2022, a timber pavilion, called The Tree House, and designed architect studio Bell Phillips, opened. The structure is triangular and is built around a tree. It includes public toilets, a cafe, and a viewing gallery on the roof.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2022/08/07/bell-phillips-the-tree-house-london-elephant-park/ |title=Bell Phillips creates The Tree House pavilion at London's Elephant Park |work=Dezeen|date=7 August 2022 }}</ref>

Locally, tall, mainly residential buildings have been approved or are under construction since the 148-metre [[Strata SE1]] tower was completed in 2010.  These include:
*[[One The Elephant]] (124m)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/6463 |title=One The Elephant: Lend Lease aims to cash in on Hyde Park effect |work=London SE1}}</ref>
*[[Highpoint (building)|Highpoint]] a residential [[build-to-rent]] building (134m),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/6975 |title=Boris: work starts next year on 44-storey Elephant & Castle tower |work=London SE1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/why-build-to-rent-could-be-a-boon-for-architects |title=Why build-to-rent could be a boon for architects |first=Kate |last=Youde |date=19 May 2016}}</ref> which also includes affordable housing,  Council housing, a café and a theatre space leased to the [[Southwark Playhouse]].
*"Two Fifty One"{{efn|on the site of Eileen House}} Southwark Bridge Road (134m)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/7292 |title=Eileen House: Boris Johnson approves Newington Causeway tower |work=London SE1}}</ref>
*"Elephant Central" (three high-rise buildings on a shared podium).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/area-guides/southwark-borough/elephant-and-castle/living-in-elephant-castle-area-guide-to-homes-schools-and-transport-links-a135826.html |title=Living in Elephant and Castle:area guide to homes, schools and transport links |work=Homes & Property|date=10 January 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/7208 |title=Tribeca Square: work starts on New Kent Road homes, cinema & supermarket |work=London SE1}}</ref>

Southwark Council opened the new Castle leisure centre in 2016. This replaced the original Castle centre, which closed in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200229/investing_in_leisure/1793/the_castle_leisure_centre |title=The Castle leisure centre |work=southwark.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/8746 |title=Castle leisure centre to open on Saturday 30 April |work=southwark.gov.uk}}</ref>

In 2015, the new owners of the shopping centre, Delancey, announced redevelopment plans for a new "town centre", which is due to be completed by the mid-2020s. The project is in two phases. The first aims to replace the existing shopping centre and the Coronet Theatre, and comprise:
*a new campus building for the nearby [[London College of Communication]] (LCC){{efn|replacing the [[Coronet Cinema|Coronet Theatre]]}}
*a cinema{{efn|originally planned for the "Elephant Central" development}}
*retail units and housing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/8375 |title=New Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre redevelopment plans on show |work=London SE1}}</ref>
*a new underground station entrance, though funding is currently uncertain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/10550 |title=TfL: Elephant & Castle tube station revamp at risk |work=London SE1|date=19 May 2021 }}</ref>
Once the first phase is completed, the current site of the LCC is to be redeveloped to host residential towers and a live-music venue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://elephantandcastletowncentre.co.uk/looking-to-the-future/ |title=E&C Town Centre: Looking to the future |work=elephantandcastletowncentre.co.uk}}</ref>

In February 2014, a small shipper-container precinct on three levels, inspired by the [[Boxpark]] concept, was put together at the corner of the Walworth Road and Elephant Road. Baptised The Artworks, the venue hosted small start-up businesses and a library.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/7456 |title=£1.2m library to open in Elephant & Castle shipping containers |work=London SE1}}</ref> The project was closed and demolished in 2019.

London's [[Latin Americans in the United Kingdom|Latin American]] population, prominent from this zone to [[Stockwell]], has been an inspiration to aspects of the regeneration. Plans are being made for shops and artwork to emphasise a Latin American corridor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/4503 |title=Lib Dems promise 'Latin American corridor' from Elephant to Stockwell |date=21 April 2009 |work=London-se1.co.uk |access-date=6 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/3846 |title=Latin Americans must take full part in Elephant & Castle regeneration says London Assembly chair |work=London-se1.co.uk |date=21 April 2009 |access-date=6 December 2012}}</ref>

In December 2018, it was announced that London Mayor [[Sadiq Khan]] had approved redevelopment plans, and that Southwark Council had too, after changes to proposals to ensure more windows in the shopping centre, 350 out of 1000 homes for rent at "genuinely affordable levels" and for traders in the current centre with rents capped for 15 years.<ref>E Hopkirk, 'Mayor approves huge Elephant & Castle redevelopment' ([https://www.building.co.uk/news/mayor-approves-huge-elephant-and-castle-redevelopment/5096997.article 11 December 2018]) Building.co.uk</ref> A judicial review of the decision was finally lost by campaigners in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/10556 |title=Elephant & Castle housing: campaigners lose appeal court fight |date=29 May 2021 |work=London-se1.co.uk |access-date=8 June 2021}}</ref>

In January 2020, a closure date was set for the centre of 30 July 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/10081 |title=Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre to close after 55 years |date=17 January 2020 |work=London-se1.co.uk}}</ref> The closure date was postponed to 24 September 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/10264 |title=Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre: closure date postponed |date=12 May 2020 |work=London-se1.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='We're going to miss the community': Elephant and Castle shopping centre closes after 55 years |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/sep/24/were-going-to-miss-the-community-elephant-and-castle-shopping-centre-closes-after-55-years |access-date=28 September 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=24 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and the centre will be redeveloped. Demolition of the shopping centre, Hannibal House and the Coronet theatre started in January 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2021/02/in-photos-demolition-starts-on-the-elephant-and-castle-shopping-centre/ |title=In photos: Demolition starts on the Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre |date=23 February 2021 |work=Brixton Buzz}}</ref>

In November 2023, Elephant Park was the winner of the Public Space - Building Beauty Award, handed out by the [[Royal Fine Art Commission Trust]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://buildingbeautyawards.com/winners-2023/ |title=Winners 2023 - Building Beauty Awards |date=10 November 2023 |work=Building Beauty Awards}}</ref>