PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS NEXT TO THE WESTERN STONE PIER ON FRONT BOUNDARY RAILINGS

PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS NEXT TO THE WESTERN STONE PIER ON FRONT BOUNDARY RAILINGS, GREAT RUSSELL STREET

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Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1396435
Date first listed:: 01-Feb-2011
List Entry Name:: PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS NEXT TO THE WESTERN STONE PIER ON FRONT BOUNDARY RAILINGS
Statutory Address:: PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS NEXT TO THE WESTERN STONE PIER ON FRONT BOUNDARY RAILINGS, GREAT RUSSELL STREET

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1396435
Date first listed:: 01-Feb-2011
List Entry Name:: PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS NEXT TO THE WESTERN STONE PIER ON FRONT BOUNDARY RAILINGS
Statutory Address 1:: PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS NEXT TO THE WESTERN STONE PIER ON FRONT BOUNDARY RAILINGS, GREAT RUSSELL STREET

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: PAIR OF K6 TELEPHONE KIOSKS NEXT TO THE WESTERN STONE PIER ON FRONT BOUNDARY RAILINGS, GREAT RUSSELL STREET

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Greater London Authority
District:: Camden (London Borough)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ3011781601

Reasons for Designation

The pair of K6 telephone kiosks, standing between the western stone pier and the entrance gates along front boundary railings on Great Russell Street were recommended for designation at Grade II for the principal following reasons: * Special design interest: designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935, the K6 is a major landmark of industrial design. * Group value: this pair of K6 telephone kiosks stand in close proximity to listed buildings, including the Grade I listed British Museum.

Details

798-1/0/10394 GREAT RUSSELL STREET 01-FEB-11 Bloomsbury (North side) Pair of K6 telephone kiosks next to th e western stone pier on front boundary railings

II Pair of K6 telephone kiosks. Materials: cast iron and glass (except where later modified).

DESCRIPTION: The K6 is a standardised design 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. Both kiosks have rectangular white display signs, reading TELEPHONE beneath the shallow-curved roof. They have modernised internal equipment.

This pair of K6 telephone kiosks stands between the eastern stone pier and the main entrance gate along front boundary railings before the courtyard and front facade of the British Museum, a Grade I listed building. The boundary railings, with the main entrance gateway and lodges, are also listed Grade II*. Also, directly on the opposite side of the street is the Grade II listed Museum Tavern public house.

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.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The pair of K6 telephone kiosks, standing between the western stone pier and the entrance gates along front boundary railings on Great Russell Street are designated at Grade II for the principal following reasons: * Special design interest: designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935, the K6 is a major landmark of industrial design. * Group value: this pair of K6 telephone kiosks stands in close proximity to listed buildings, including the Grade I listed British Museum.

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:: 509023
Legacy System:: LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.