Bowater House, Knightsbridge 1972
$20.00
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A classic 1972 street scene at the busy junction outside Bowater House, the imposing modernist office block that once dominated the west end of Knightsbridge. Completed in 1958 on the edge of Hyde Park, Bowater House was designed in the austere post-war style—rectangular, repetitive and pragmatic—yet became one of London’s most recognisable landmarks of the era simply due to its size and prominent location.
In the foreground, a motorcyclist sweeps through the intersection while a mix of early-1970s traffic circulates around the junction. Pedestrians wait at the striped traffic island beside a well-worn litter bin bearing the Royal Borough crest. These period details, combined with the muted autumn light, give the scene an unmistakably early-’70s texture.
Bowater House stood on a site notoriously severed from Hyde Park by road schemes, and throughout its life it was criticised for its bulk and the way it blocked views down Knightsbridge. It was eventually demolished in 2006 to make way for the sweeping contemporary development known as One Hyde Park, but in this photograph it remains an enduring symbol of London’s mid-century commercial architecture.
About Retro Stock Photography
Retro Stock Photography specializes in genuine vintage color photographs from the 1950s through the 1990s, all available as royalty-free instant downloads. Our photos are popular for editorial features, books, magazines, websites, documentaries, advertising, social media, local history projects, creative design, and as unique gifts when printed.
All of our images are scanned directly from original slides and negatives, preserving their authenticity, detail, and character. And because we own the original photographs and copyrights, all of our collection is exclusive to us and not available elsewhere.
Buy any 5 downloads and receive 15% off your entire order.