Memories of Home, Southampton - Wyndham Court

I've been feeling a bit nostalgic lately; it's been nearly two years since I left Southampton, for a new life in Spain! In this new section of my blog entitled 'memories of Home' I want to explore the city where I once lived, on the South Coast of England; a place I moved to in 1992, when I attended University; I continued to live there for nearly twenty five years. I have many special memories from that time, that I wish to share with the readers of 'Spanish Views!'  I continue to keep in contact with those I knew back home and am delighted, that so many have expressed a desire, to post photographs and entries, describing this rapidly changing city, keeping me up to date with the latest developments, as I live on the other side of Europe.

'Memories of Home,' is a way of safeguarding my links to a city, that has a special place in my heart. It will encompass views and photo's from those who still live there, including historic facts and places of interest, as well as my own recollections, from a generation, so firmly rooted in my past. Southampton made me who I am and continues to influence my future. I hope you enjoy this dip into city life!

If any of my readers from Southampton would like to take part or contribute to 'Memories of Home,' please contact me using the form below and I will endeavour to include you in my blog. All contributions welcome; history, muses, local interest and personal stories!

Wyndham Court

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Dominic Donkin

In the year 2000, Darrell and myself moved into Wyndham Court, in central Southampton, next to the Mayflower Theatre. This large social housing development holds a lot of memories for us both; I thoroughly enjoyed living there. Imagine my delight when I discovered an old friend, Dominic Donkin, had just moved there himself. Immediately I asked him if he could take a few photographs of the old place, which he duly did yesterday, dragging himself out of bed on his day off.  In today's entry, I want to talk about the memories I have for this building, its history and importance in Southampton. Wyndham Court is a grade II listed building, and rightly so; this monument to Brutalist architecture is of great significance to the city and Britain as a whole.

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Wyndham Court and surrounding area; photo's taken on 9 December 2017, by Dom Donkin!

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I have always been a advocate of Brutalist architecture, having become interested in its place, within the modern history of Britain, after watching the film 'Beautiful Thing,' set in Thamesmead, London, a mecca for modern building techniques and experimental architecture. Despite an outward bleak appearance, the structure and utilitarian purpose of these buildings, were perfect for housing the baby boomers of post war Britain. I lived in one of the apartments at Wyndham Court myself; they were large, spacious, with stunning views over the Southampton skyline.
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Wyndham Court is situated in the heart of the city, having been designed in 1966 by architect, Lyons Israel Ellis. Southampton City Council wanted a building that reflected the culture and history of the city, which it does perfectly. It was intended to evoke the cruise ships that sailed to and from the port of Southampton, which could be seen from the windows of this epochal building. The construction of Wyndham court was completed in 1969, a record three years after the initial design was submitted. Located near Southampton Central train station, it comprises 184 flats, shops and cafes. 122 of the units are two or three bedroom apartments, 61 are one bedroom flats or bedsits. Like most building projects of the time, Wyndham Court was designed to house a wide demographic, as it still does today. 

This marvel of social housing won an architectural design award in 1966 and was grade II listed in 1998, a contentious decision lambasted my many, including the local press. English Heritage described the building as 'sculptural and impressive and remains a favourite with writers and architects alike.  I have always found this building iconic and pleasing to the eye, holding it in high regard as one of my favourite pieces of Brutalist architecture of the time.

Today Wyndham court remains an important housing development, loved among local residents. Many of the flats have been sold off to tenants, since 'right to buy' was introduced by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. Two bedroom properties can sell for the reasonable price of 125,000 pounds, relatively good value for money for a home in the centre of Southampton; offering far more space, than their modern counterparts and close proximity to businesses and facilities, utilised in city living.

Wyndham Court has lasted the test of time, leaving an impression on the history of Southampton that will endure the generations. It remains a popular residential area of choice today, as much as it did fifty years ago when it was built. This building was constructed to house the professionals of the time and despite the changing demography of residents living in the building, today in 2017, professionals are once again moving to this sought after area of the city.

Like me, Dominic Donkin is happy to have secured an apartment in Wyndham Court; I hope he will be very happy there. So much architecture of post war Britain has been disparaged and in many cases demolished to make way for more aesthetically pleasing construction; I am just glad Wyndham court has remained, standing tall, to continue to tell the story, of life in this vibrbant part of the city.

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