Pair of K6 Telephone Kiosks

Reasons for Designation

REASON FOR DESIGNATION DECISION These K6 telephone kiosks merit listing at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * They are examples of the important K6 design of 1935 by the eminent architect Giles Gilbert Scott with minor modifications. * They occupy a setting of outstanding special interest, standing on the Esplanade next to the Grade II* listed Palace Pier, on a major crossroads flanked on one side by the Grade II* listed Royal Albion Hotel and on the other by the Grade II listed Brighton Aquarium, and are in close proximity to a set of Grade II listed lamp posts lie to the east along the Esplanade.

Details

577/0/10102 EAST SIDE OF PALACE PIER, MADEIRA DRIVE
01-NOV-07 Pair of K6 Telephone Kiosks

II

Pair of K6 telephone kiosks, modelled on a design of 1935.
MATERIALS: cast iron and glass (except where later modified).

DESCRIPTION
These K6 telephone kiosks abutt each other. They are situated on the seaside Esplanade in Madeira Drive, standing on the east side of the semi-circular entrance area of the Palace Pier, a Grade II* listed building, before a prominent crossroads.

The K6 is a standardised design, and these examples bear no variant features. They are each made of cast iron, painted red overall with long horizontal glazing in the door and sides, and with the crowns situated on the top panels being applied not perforated. There are rectangular white display signs, reading TELEPHONE beneath the shallow-curved roof (although one was missing at the time of listing in 2007).

They have modernised equipment and the backs of both have been replaced and are no longer of cast iron.

HISTORY
The K6 telephone kiosk is a milestone of C20 industrial design. The K6 was designed by Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 for the General Post Office, on the occasion of King George V's Silver Jubilee. The K6 was a development from his earlier highly successful K2 telephone kiosk design of 1924, of Neo-classical inspiration. The K6 was more streamlined aesthetically, more compact and more cost-effective to mass produce. Giles Gilbert Scott (1880-1960) was one of the most important of modern British architects; his many celebrated commissions include the Anglican cathedral of Liverpool and Battersea power station. The K2 and K6 telephone kiosks can be said to represent a very thoughtful adaptation of architectural tradition to contemporary technological requirements. Well over 70,000 K6s were eventually produced. In the 1960s many were replaced with far plainer kiosk types. But many still remain, and continue to be an iconic feature on Britain's streetscapes.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE
These K6 telephone kiosks are listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons
* They are examples of the important K6 design of 1935 by the eminent architect Giles Gilbert Scott with minor modifications.
* They occupy a setting of outstanding special interest, standing on the Esplanade next to the Grade II* listed Palace Pier, on a major crossroads flanked on one side by the Grade II* listed Royal Albion Hotel and on the other by the Grade II listed Brighton Aquarium, and are in close proximity to a set of Grade II listed lamp posts lying to the east along the Esplanade.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

503319

Legacy System:

LBS

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