#014

In recent years Ilford Hill has become a hotbed of construction with the area designated as a housing zone by Redbridge Council.

To facilitate its rapid transformation from office-based industry to residential use, some of the buildings have been converted rather than demolished. The former British Gas building, Peachey House is one such conversion and its retrofitted wrap-around balconies can be seen in the 2019 image.

Red brick Valentines House was also stripped down and refurbished as 'Horizon' with a large commercial frontage at its base (which is yet to find a tenant).

The delayed opening of Crossrail's central section has meant greater time for Ilford station's redevelopment before the full route opens. A new entrance is being readied on Ilford Hill in preparation for the main entrance reconstruction on Cranbrook Road. For this, the Victorian station's parcels office on Ilford Hill (most recently used by Atlas Cars) has been demolished.

Whether the change in use of the area results in new commercial opportunites and a better public realm will be seen in the fullness of time.

Available NOW on Amazon - Ilford Retro Vol.1 From Gants Hill Odeon to The Plough and Plessey, all 52 episodes with photos of old and new! https://tinyurl.com/IlfordRetro

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https://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news...