Opening of Flat 130, Balfron Tower

Back in the ’60s, a utopian vision of a post-war architecture – that would provide impressive new homes for Londoners still stuck in poor conditions and slum housing – threw up a pair of brutalist concrete tower blocks. Trellick Tower and Balfron Tower – now Grade II- listed buildings – were designed by Hungarian-born architect and designer Ernö Goldfinger, who for two months in 1968 lived in Balfron Tower’s Flat 130 himself in an effort to prove just how desirable life in one of his artistic grey pillars could be. Although the National Trust doesn’t own the buildings, it looks after Goldfinger’s own former home, 2 Willow Road in Hampstead, and as part of the current Balfron season being presented by Bow Arts in association with Poplar HARCA it has organised a limited number of openings of Flat 130 on the top floor. Tilly Hemingway (daughter of Wayne) has decorated, furnished and accessorised the interior in glorious 1960s style that combines with knockout views of east London, the Shard and the Dome to create a highly des res. Tours starting at Langdon Park DLR will provide an insight into the architecture and social housing of the area, so for 75 minutes you, like Goldfinger, can live the modernist dream. Booking essential.