Golfratewatch

“Another Asset Acquired By Golfrate. More Suitable Investments Required
please contact acquisitions@golfrate.com or 020 8542 2211”

So reads the sign above the decaying entrance to The Tower, the "ugliest building in London" – or so read the sign. It has since disappeared, and we can only presume that this is because the company does not want its name associated with a building in such a poor state. It has been empty, boarded-up and fenced off since late 2008, with lurid green netting all the way up each end as an emergency measure (without planning permission) to stop bits of it falling off and killing passers-by.

This must be the most spectacular example of the way Golfrate "manages" its property, its 17 storeys sticking out like a gangrenous thumb, dominating the skyline of Colliers Wood and blighting the whole area. But the company owns a lot of buildings in the locality and a pattern is emerging of systematic neglect. It does not seem to be interested in being a responsible landlord by putting many of its "assets" to use, but merely selfishly sits on them, presumably using them as collateral and not being willing to sell unless it receives an offer too good to refuse.

The purpose of this site is to list properties owned by Golfrate that are being neglected to the detriment of its neighbours. One case is Cavendish House, housing the Donald Hope Library on the ground floor but the rest of the building being empty since the Jobcentre Plus closed in 2005 (?). If you know of other examples, please email info@collierswoodresidentsassociation.org.uk and we will list them here.