Arlington House

Arlington House in Margate is a striking 18-storey tower block built in the early 1960s, standing right on the seafront next to Dreamland. Designed in the Brutalist style, it was conceived as part of a larger redevelopment scheme, which included an adjacent shopping complex and car park (now mostly derelict).

Its bold concrete form, once controversial, has since become a landmark visible for miles along the Kent coast. The building is primarily residential, with about 140 flats, many offering wide views over the sea and town.

Over the decades it has had a mixed reputation—viewed by some as an eyesore, by others as an icon of post-war seaside modernism. Arlington House often features in photography, film, and local culture, symbolising both Margate’s decline in the late 20th century and its ongoing regeneration. This image was taken as part of an ongoing street and architectural project of the places that I visit.