It would be insane to lose Beaux Arts gem of a foyer

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• THE BEAUX Arts Building style of architecture is present in only a few buildings in London, Europe, New York and a few other places (Flats ‘would ruin ornate masterpiece’, March 19).
Everyone who enters the Holloway building, having been greeted by the grand entrance, feels totally relaxed. Their tense, stressed shoulders literally rest in the normal, relaxed positions. They feel like they are in another era.
Not many people are aware of this stunning, incredible, historical building. It should make the local population proud.
There are not many buildings in the world with such tremendous architectural style. It will be insane if it is lost to future generations.
ANH PHAN
A passionate resident of the
Beaux Arts Building, N7

• AS a resident of the Beaux Arts Building in Holloway I would like to thank the Tribune for the excellent article about the proposed insertion of flats into the elegant and historic foyer of this building.
Developer Bloomfold comments that it intends “to refurbish the entrance foyer in a sympathetic way that will respect the history and splendour of the existing interior”. Its plans show that the walls of the proposed apartments will take the place of the beautiful tall glass partitions with their royal blue stained glass medallions.
The remaining half of the foyer was redecorated two years ago, and is in no need of refurbishment.
The insertion of the reception desk, the postroom with 190 metal postboxes, notice boards and clutter of parcels will destroy any remaining splendour of the foyer.
CAROL MELLOR  
Beaux Arts Building, N7

• SO, the architectural vandals are out in force yet again in Holloway. Northview, opposite the Holloway Odeon, is similarly under threat from a hideous development. This week, residents applied for local listing, which we hope will highlight the rare, architectural, historical and social importance of Northview. Our new website – www.northview.org.uk – illustrates why Northview should be preserved.
Northview retains many original features of the 1930s, from its overall design to deco touches, drawing on Mayan and Egyptian cultures, with papyrus and ziggurat designs. It shows how builders tackled the prejudice against living in flats that was common at the time. It may be the only development of its type in Islington.
Northview’s buildings also work with each other and the exuberant Holloway Odeon, which is the same age, to provide a cluster of original 1930s buildings, offering a lot of visual interest in complementary and contrasting fashions. Local listing of Northview and the Beaux Arts Building would highlight Holloway and Nag’s Head as historical areas and promote conservation.
We trust that local listing would also make owners think twice before trying to vandalise people’s homes and showing such contempt for rare and important parts of Islington’s heritage.
CHRISTY LAWRANCE
Secretary, Northview Residents’ Association, N7