Alexandra Road Estate: A Fine Example of Jungle Brutalism

Alexandra Road Estate is a long site of terrace houses consisting of three parallel rows of houses in London, UK. The design belongs to the American architect Neave Brown. Refusing the high-rise buildings that dominated contemporary residential architecture since the Second World War, Brown chose to design a low-rise estate inspired by traditional terrace houses of England. Built between 1968 and 1978, Alexandra Road Estate became a landmark street as well as one of the most photographed estates in England. The estate consists of 520 homes for over 1600 residents in its two rows of terrace houses.

The higher part of the estate involves two rows of terraced apartments while the third and lower rows contain maisonettes with shared access, terraces, and gardens. A public park separates the third and the second rows. Each flat in the estate has its private open space, allowing people to have little gardens of their own.

However, the estate faced several criticisms due to its prices that went higher and higher due to inflation. In fact, Alexandra Road Estate is the most expensive dwelling place in England. Nevertheless, it is considered one of the most distinguished building blocks to be constructed since the Second World War.

What movies were filmed at the Alexandra Road Estate?

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)
Angela Black (2021)
Hard Sun (2018)
London Spy (2015)
Maneater (I) (2017)
MI-5 (2002–2011)
Waking the Dead (2000–2011)

A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this iconic film features scenes shot at the Alexandra Road Estate.

Brazil (1985) – Terry Gilliam’s dystopian science fiction film includes scenes filmed at the estate.

Attack the Block (2011) – This British science fiction comedy film features the estate as a prominent location.

The Sweeney (2012) – A British action-crime film that also includes scenes filmed at the estate.

Do people live in Alexandra Road Estate?

The estate consists of 520 homes for over 1600 residents in its two rows of terrace houses.