76 Upper Ground: Denys Lasdun’s 1960s South Bank vision is realised at last

By Thomas Lane2025-07-02T06:00:00

76 Upper Ground terraces from Thames Path

Source: Rob Parrish

The IBM Building was a cut-down version of architect Denys Lasdun’s plans for a complementary neighbour to the National Theatre on the banks of the Thames. AHMM’s recent refurbishment, which sees the building brought firmly into the 21st century, means that original vision is now complete

Slowly but surely, the public realm on the east side of the National Theatre has got better over the years. A once dismal service road, Stage Door Avenue, between Upper Ground and the riverside path, was improved in 2015 by banishing the theatre’s service yard at the end by the Thames. The former service yard is now a bustling restaurant area and the lorries making deliveries to the theatre and collecting rubbish have largely gone.

But the shine was dulled by the IBM building across the road from the theatre. A high brick wall and brick plinth that shouts “keep out” runs the length of Stage Door Avenue.

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