Stalinist Shepherds Bush

This is a building which wouldn’t look out of place in Cold War East Berlin or North Korea’s capital Pyongyang, with its drab, imposing facade. The jarringly cheerful murals at ground level are an attempt to lessen the effect of its brutal glory.

But this isn’t a memento from a Soviet bloc town. This is in Shepherds Bush, west London and stands a short walk from where I live.

The building bristles with the cables, circuits and communications equipment which helps the area’s telephone network stay in good shape. You could be forgiven for thinking it was a secret service facility, spying on the activities of the West.

Maybe I should have captured it in authentic style with my Soviet film camera.

Click first image for the full gallery experience

But on one side of this colossus, the style harks back to another era. The sign gives the building away, and there is even a telephone box – a rare and fascinating sight in the age of the mobile.

Tags: architecture, Cold War, drab building, East Berlin, eastern European architecture, London, North Korea, photography, Shepherds Bush, Soviet camera, telephone exchange, Zenit

14 thoughts on “Stalinist Shepherds Bush”

John on December 4, 2014 at 18:25 said:

It may be, as you say, a drab, Soviet looking building …. but, your photographs have given some beauty to the building. Very nice!

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- mikeosbornphoto on December 4, 2014 at 20:02 said:
  
  Hi John, thank you very much! It’s a very austere beauty which deserves to be captured.
  
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jdtphotography.co.uk on November 17, 2014 at 13:17 said:

I bet knowing the “GPO” this telephone exchange is empty. Great set of images Mike, reminds me of my time living in East Berlin just after the wall came down.

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 19, 2014 at 12:11 said:
  
  Thanks James, glad they evoked those memories. It’s a very stark building. However, it’s still functioning and packed with wires and circuits. I think I rely on the place for my Broadband signal!
  
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  - jdtphotography.co.uk on November 19, 2014 at 19:11 said:
    
    Whoops! Trust me to put my big foot…… Hope the broadband is still working considering all the old wiresband circuits. Have a great evening.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on November 19, 2014 at 19:53 said:
      
      Hahahaha! Yes, it’s all good. Just walked past and there are a couple of lights burning. Much spookier in the dark.
      
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LensScaper on November 11, 2014 at 17:18 said:

I think I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with those old concrete buildings. They are in one way very ugly and they are now so unattractive. And yet photographically the stained concrete sometimes has considerable photographic potential.

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 11, 2014 at 17:31 said:
  
  Absolutely, Andy. But therein lies their appeal – so drab and austere. I never tire of seeking out these buildings of which there are many.
  
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ckponderings on November 9, 2014 at 14:04 said:

Beautifully haunting shots, Mike! :)

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 9, 2014 at 16:42 said:
  
  Thanks Richard. I imagine the place to be stuffed full of secret Stasi files!
  
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Noeline Smith on November 9, 2014 at 11:19 said:

Fabulous collection Mike.

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 9, 2014 at 11:30 said:
  
  Thank you Noeline. I do like anything stark and Soviet era. I hope you’re keeping very well :)
  
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Cos on November 8, 2014 at 14:47 said:

Goodbye Scotland Yard, Hello KGB!

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- mikeosbornphoto on November 8, 2014 at 14:48 said:
  
  Hahahaha! Very good :) I was thinking more Stasi or Securitate. There should be some socialist slogans on those lurid murals!
  
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