Before we start; I’d like to say that despite this being a shitty derp Office Block; its one that has always been there and it’s something I wanted to explore from Day 1 of my Exploring Career; largely because it is right in the centre of my home town. It has always been locked in every way or had one secca by the main access point into the building, with all others sealed! There may have been one or two instances in the last fifteen years where I probably could have snuck in; but for whatever reason didn’t, and having closed its doors in 1991; even as a kid I used to wonder what was up in the abandoned offices of this rather peculiar building bang in the centre of the town I’ve called home since birth (1990).
I remember one time, sitting around the back eating a takeaway with a close friend in 2005; 4 years before I began exploring, and seeing people going in and out of the offices via an external lift; which involved joining the two wires together to make it work; which is something I never wanted to do tbh! I remember an old colleague of mine saying that he and a friend were the reason the security was upped; they ran around the outer edge of the roof steaming drunk in 2008; just before my exploring days, so from then on I have never been able to find a way in.
The building is a rather strange one; the Ground Floor is a QD Store (formerly a Co-Op which I remember shopping in with my mother). There were a few smaller shops around the side which I also remember visiting; a Hairdressers, a Motorfactors, a Laundrette, Dry Cleaners and a Skate Shop are a few of many businesses which operated out of these side shops, the last vacating some years ago. Co-Op closed in 1994 and was vacant till QD took over in 1999.
The Basement is comprised of around 4-5 Car Parking Levels which I would often scout for ways up; but it seems there was only lift and not stair access. I wasn’t sure if the council car park was once an employee car park. I loved the fact the electricity cupboards had “Rank Xerox” and “Co-Op” signs on in the car park when it was open, even after thirty years.
In late 2023; I noticed that the Car Park had been boarded up after the local kids set fire to it, I knew it wouldn’t be long before there may be a way into the offices above. I used to check this building routinely every few weeks, and noticed that the shops had some building work going on, & on inspection there seemed to be activity in the offices above; there usually were things going on up there which I would often see whilst driving past the Sorting Office down Upper Hundreds Way over the years, but coinciding with the Car Park closing and the shops closing, I thought it would be best to stop over and have a look. Let me add that QD Remains open with no plans to close.
One night after a meal in a local town; I asked a mate to stop in Aylesbury so we could check it out. Low and behold the bloody thing was open. I made no hesitation to check it out and take some phone pictures, but dressed in my dinner clothes, with my phone camera and no exploring bag at all; there wasn’t a lot else I could do. I returned with two other friends on a few separate occasions in the following days; a revisit because it was a complete and total washout on some of the visits, which ruined shots from the roof. This report comprises of photos from all visits.. All visits were at night as we found that the builders work all day and all week; including weekends.
I knew it would be a boring office block; but it certainly met my expectations of retroness. The 1970s Otis Lifts still in situ; with a fantastic Motor Room and Boiler Room, the remnants of the 1980s refurbishment (Poo Coloured toilets anyone?); and my curiosity around the doughnut shape of the offices. Presumably a reason why they were never converted into flats for over 30 years!
History
Construction Work of Hampden House began in 1972, which replaced a former Co-Op on the same plot of land. The building opened in 1975 with Rank Xerox; a photocopying company, occupying the offices and Co-Op Occupying the Ground Floor. Rank Xerox did some renovation work to the offices back in 1980 for modernisation purposes; but left around 1991 when they moved to Welwyn Garden City. It’s been said that there was quite a community spirit at Hampden House amongst the Rank Xerox team; which faded after they moved. Target Life insurance shared the office space too but left some time after that.
Planning Permission was denied in July 2021 for conversion to 111 Residential Units; because the plans showed insufficiently sized bedrooms on certain corners of the building; and the noise disturbance from the town centre would be too much for the residents once completed. The plans from 2021 did not show usage of the Basement Level Car Parks by residents of the proposed flats; which may have been another contributing factor to the denial of Planning Permission. Other Planning Permissions over the years are mostly between Co-Op and Rank Xerox applying for permissions for large light up signage between 1980 and 1990. Exciting… Plus a gym and stores in the Basement Car Park. I can’t quite work out where these would have been. Other factors mentioned over the years include: Contamination from Former Gas Works on the site.
Some years ago there were talks of a Casino occupying the building; along with use for Council Offices. In February 2024; an application was made to change Hampden House from B1 Offices; to Residential; to form 111 Residential Units.
Anyways; enough of my ramblings, here’s some photos!
QD Occupy the Ground Floor and have done since 1999. This was a Co-Op until 1994
The building is rather strange in its design. The offices sort of plonked on top; with a large shop and a few other small ones, plus a 4-storey underground car park
The Large Courtyard is cool; but an epic waste of space
The toilets were strangely decorated here
I think really and truly; the best part of this was the fantastically preserved lifts and Motor Room; a 1970s Otis Gen II (I think). I’m not a lift person; but this certainly got a few lift friends quite hot under the collar and I took some friends who showed me how the MASS of electronics in the cabinets would have worked. A real shame tbh; it’s all going to be removed; and upon subsequent visits it has indeed had some bits removed. I suppose this is for DDR Requirements? Given my partners condition, I do support better facilities for the disabled as well as retaining retro stuff.
Now, much like anyone else; I do like a good boiler room; and this 1970s one had some charm I must say; again, well preserved after decades of being left.
I really like how in this era of buildings they seemed to absolutely LOVE Dyna Roll Labels!
The offices didn’t look too bad owing to a 1980s/90s refurb shortly before closing
As with any rooftop at night; light trails are essential. I visited a number of times in varying weathers; from dry, to absolutely hammering it down. So the images may vary here.
I’m told that some people are into 1980s and 1990s switchgear, so its worth showing these to everyone
Thanks for looking. More At:
I remember one time, sitting around the back eating a takeaway with a close friend in 2005; 4 years before I began exploring, and seeing people going in and out of the offices via an external lift; which involved joining the two wires together to make it work; which is something I never wanted to do tbh! I remember an old colleague of mine saying that he and a friend were the reason the security was upped; they ran around the outer edge of the roof steaming drunk in 2008; just before my exploring days, so from then on I have never been able to find a way in.
The building is a rather strange one; the Ground Floor is a QD Store (formerly a Co-Op which I remember shopping in with my mother). There were a few smaller shops around the side which I also remember visiting; a Hairdressers, a Motorfactors, a Laundrette, Dry Cleaners and a Skate Shop are a few of many businesses which operated out of these side shops, the last vacating some years ago. Co-Op closed in 1994 and was vacant till QD took over in 1999.
The Basement is comprised of around 4-5 Car Parking Levels which I would often scout for ways up; but it seems there was only lift and not stair access. I wasn’t sure if the council car park was once an employee car park. I loved the fact the electricity cupboards had “Rank Xerox” and “Co-Op” signs on in the car park when it was open, even after thirty years.
In late 2023; I noticed that the Car Park had been boarded up after the local kids set fire to it, I knew it wouldn’t be long before there may be a way into the offices above. I used to check this building routinely every few weeks, and noticed that the shops had some building work going on, & on inspection there seemed to be activity in the offices above; there usually were things going on up there which I would often see whilst driving past the Sorting Office down Upper Hundreds Way over the years, but coinciding with the Car Park closing and the shops closing, I thought it would be best to stop over and have a look. Let me add that QD Remains open with no plans to close.
One night after a meal in a local town; I asked a mate to stop in Aylesbury so we could check it out. Low and behold the bloody thing was open. I made no hesitation to check it out and take some phone pictures, but dressed in my dinner clothes, with my phone camera and no exploring bag at all; there wasn’t a lot else I could do. I returned with two other friends on a few separate occasions in the following days; a revisit because it was a complete and total washout on some of the visits, which ruined shots from the roof. This report comprises of photos from all visits.. All visits were at night as we found that the builders work all day and all week; including weekends.
I knew it would be a boring office block; but it certainly met my expectations of retroness. The 1970s Otis Lifts still in situ; with a fantastic Motor Room and Boiler Room, the remnants of the 1980s refurbishment (Poo Coloured toilets anyone?); and my curiosity around the doughnut shape of the offices. Presumably a reason why they were never converted into flats for over 30 years!
History
Construction Work of Hampden House began in 1972, which replaced a former Co-Op on the same plot of land. The building opened in 1975 with Rank Xerox; a photocopying company, occupying the offices and Co-Op Occupying the Ground Floor. Rank Xerox did some renovation work to the offices back in 1980 for modernisation purposes; but left around 1991 when they moved to Welwyn Garden City. It’s been said that there was quite a community spirit at Hampden House amongst the Rank Xerox team; which faded after they moved. Target Life insurance shared the office space too but left some time after that.
Planning Permission was denied in July 2021 for conversion to 111 Residential Units; because the plans showed insufficiently sized bedrooms on certain corners of the building; and the noise disturbance from the town centre would be too much for the residents once completed. The plans from 2021 did not show usage of the Basement Level Car Parks by residents of the proposed flats; which may have been another contributing factor to the denial of Planning Permission. Other Planning Permissions over the years are mostly between Co-Op and Rank Xerox applying for permissions for large light up signage between 1980 and 1990. Exciting… Plus a gym and stores in the Basement Car Park. I can’t quite work out where these would have been. Other factors mentioned over the years include: Contamination from Former Gas Works on the site.
Some years ago there were talks of a Casino occupying the building; along with use for Council Offices. In February 2024; an application was made to change Hampden House from B1 Offices; to Residential; to form 111 Residential Units.
Anyways; enough of my ramblings, here’s some photos!
QD Occupy the Ground Floor and have done since 1999. This was a Co-Op until 1994
The building is rather strange in its design. The offices sort of plonked on top; with a large shop and a few other small ones, plus a 4-storey underground car park
The Large Courtyard is cool; but an epic waste of space
The toilets were strangely decorated here
I think really and truly; the best part of this was the fantastically preserved lifts and Motor Room; a 1970s Otis Gen II (I think). I’m not a lift person; but this certainly got a few lift friends quite hot under the collar and I took some friends who showed me how the MASS of electronics in the cabinets would have worked. A real shame tbh; it’s all going to be removed; and upon subsequent visits it has indeed had some bits removed. I suppose this is for DDR Requirements? Given my partners condition, I do support better facilities for the disabled as well as retaining retro stuff.
Now, much like anyone else; I do like a good boiler room; and this 1970s one had some charm I must say; again, well preserved after decades of being left.
I really like how in this era of buildings they seemed to absolutely LOVE Dyna Roll Labels!
The offices didn’t look too bad owing to a 1980s/90s refurb shortly before closing
As with any rooftop at night; light trails are essential. I visited a number of times in varying weathers; from dry, to absolutely hammering it down. So the images may vary here.
I’m told that some people are into 1980s and 1990s switchgear, so its worth showing these to everyone
Thanks for looking. More At:
