The Archway Tower, at 2 Junction Road, Archway, London, is a 195-foot (59 m) office building built over Archway tube station and was completed in 1963. Local opinion is divided on the tower, some finding it architecturally unattractive, while others welcome the fact that it brings employment to the area, as well as office workers who patronize small local businesses.
Islington London Borough Council are carrying out a consultation to decide on the future of the tower and surrounding roundabout and shopping mall, with the contract for redevelopment being handed to Britain's largest architectural practice, BDP. In 2005, Building Design magazine carried an article describing how Islington residents were accusing the council and BDP of forcing through plans for a supermarket on the site despite widespread opposition among local people. The architectural practice is accused of scheduling meetings at inconvenient times and failing to publicise consultations. BDP denied the charges.[1]
Formerly the property of UK government, it was sold off and rented back on a 42-year lease, destined to expire in 2009. In October 2007, the tower was sold by Wichford plc to Scarborough Property Group.[2] As a result, the Saturday farmer's market was moved onto Holloway Road.
The building, supposedly then used for Social Security, inspired the song Archway Towers by New Model Army. Topper's House in Nick Hornby's 2005 novel A Long Way Down is said to have been indirectly inspired by Archway Tower, but also by the eponymous Archway over Archway Road.
The building is currently home to the Court of Protection which is a superior court of record established further to section 45 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and also to part of the office of the Public Guardian.