Du Cane Court

Residential building in London, England

Du Cane Court is an Art Deco apartment block on Balham High Road, Balham, south London. A distinctive local landmark, it comprises 677 apartments and was believed to be Europe's largest privately owned apartment block when it was built in 1937.^[1]

It was a popular place to live for many music hall stars in the 1930s and 1940s and boasted a social club, on the top floor, before the area was converted into flats. Past residents have included the comedian Tommy Trinder.^[2] Currently comedian and writer Arthur Smith, the self-styled 'Bard of Balham', is a resident.^[3]

During the Second World War it was speculated that Du Cane Court had escaped bombing because it was planned for use by military officers in the event of a successful German invasion.^[4]^[5]

Similar Art Deco residential buildings in London include Florin Court, Cholmeley Lodge and Hillfield Court

References

^ "Property: 8 outstanding Art Deco homes". Yahoo Finance. 17 June 2022.
^ Vincent, Gregory K. (2008). A history of Du Cane Court : land, architecture, people and politics. Woodbine. ISBN 978-0-9541675-1-6.
^ Robinson, Karen. "Arthur Smith: Don't pay me in cash, I'll just put it in the bin". The Times. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
^ Taw, Susannah. "Streets of London: Chestnut Grove, SW12". Time Out. Archived from the original on 23 June 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
^ Noble, Heather. "The Story of Bevin's Babes". BBC.