After 35 years of refusals, the Brutalist Southbank Centre has finally been listed. Historic England advised the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to Grade II list the centre's iconic Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room, and Hayward Gallery, along with its terraced walkways and stairs. This decision marks a significant victory for heritage protection, as the Twentieth Century Society, which had been campaigning for this recognition, hailed it as a triumph over those who dismissed Brutalist architecture as 'concrete monstrosities'. The group praised the reinforced concrete complex as a 'post-war architectural masterpiece', highlighting its bold geometric formations and dramatic silhouette. The Southbank Centre, designed by the London County Council Special Works Group, including Warren Chalk and Ron Herron of Archigram, initially faced criticism for its design upon opening in 1967, earning the title of 'Britain's ugliest building' from Daily Mail readers. However, its architectural significance has since been widely acknowledged. The centre's lack of listing status was a notable anomaly, as it was the only post-war building on London's South Bank to remain unlisted, despite six separate refusals by successive culture secretaries to grant protection since 1991. The DCMS's 2018 explanation for its refusal was that the building's architecture was not unique or groundbreaking and lacked coherence and accessibility compared to nearby landmarks. This decision sparked controversy, with architectural historian Otto Saumarez-Smith and the Victorian Society criticizing the government's 'absurd' choice, threatening the integrity of the listing system. Despite low hopes, the heritage minister, Fiona Twycross, eventually accepted Historic England's reasons for listing, recognizing the centre's architectural interest, historic value, and group value. The Southbank Centre's refurbishment by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and Archer Humphryes Architects further enhanced its appeal, making it a highly sophisticated and sculptural masterpiece. The director of the Twentieth Century Society, Catherine Croft, expressed her delight at the listing, emphasizing the centre's rich form and detail and its unique experience for concert-goers and gallery visitors. She credited the heritage minister and Historic England for their role in recognizing the centre's national heritage significance, marking a long-overdue victory for Brutalism.
