50p building
The 50p building
‘The 50p building’ is a nickname for the office tower properly called No.1 Croydon, previously the NLA Tower, which is located near East Croydon station at at 12–16 Addiscombe Road.
Completed in 1970, its 23 multangular storeys bear a vague resemblance to a stack of alternately arranged fifty pence coins. It was earlier nicknamed the ‘wedding cake’ and the ‘threepenny bit building’.
For some while considered an eyesore, the building has come to be regarded more fondly, especially since a clean-up in 2006.
“French president Nicolas Sarkozy has revealed he is planning to take inspiration from such wonders as the Whitgift Centre and the NLA Tower – more affectionately known by locals as the 50p building – for the future of Paris.”
Croydon Guardian (8 September 2008)
