Store Highlight: Camden Town
The Sainsbury’s supermarket on Camden Road, London, completed in 1988, is a significant example of High-tech architecture designed by the renowned architectural firm Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners. The development, known as the Grand Union Complex, was constructed on a former industrial site, previously occupied by the Aerated Bread Company (ABC) bakery, which ceased production in 1982. The project aimed to transform this site into a mixed-use development, consisting of a supermarket, a row of houses (Grand Union Walk), an office block (Grand Union House), and a crèche building. The supermarket building itself occupies 30,883 square feet of retail space and includes underground parking for 299 cars.
![SA/BR/22/C/5/2/1 - Camden [17-21 Camden Road] store: Art work of proposed store in surroundings](https://d1nvj7b44vmgv4.cloudfront.net/w800/br/SA-BR-22-C-5-2-1.jpg)
The construction of the building began in August 1986 after Sainsbury’s acquired the site and initially proposed a design by Scott Brownrigg and Turner, which was rejected by Sainsbury’s newly-established vetting committee.
![SA/BR/22/C/5/2/2 - Camden [17-21 Camden Road] store proposal booklet](https://d1nvj7b44vmgv4.cloudfront.net/w800/br/SA-BR-22-C-5-2-2.1.jpg)
This committee, led by architecture critic Colin Amery, ultimately chose Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, whose design was approved in May 1986 and commended by the Royal Fine Art Commission for its boldness and modern approach. The construction was completed in 1988, and the store opened on December 12 of that year, with The Guardian describing it as "Building of the Year."
The design of the building features a distinctive High-tech style, with an emphasis on exposing construction techniques. The steel frame of the building is left visible, and the exterior is clad in glass and aluminium panels. This approach to design highlights the use of modern materials and technology, with the steel frame being fireproofed using a coating originally developed for military applications. The supermarket’s interior draws inspiration from traditional market halls, featuring a curved ceiling and ample natural light. These design elements help to create a large, flexible retail space while maintaining architectural quality.
In addition to the supermarket, the Grand Union Complex includes the Grand Union Walk, a terrace of ten houses and two flats, designed in the High-tech style. These homes reflect an industrial aesthetic in their use of aluminium panels and glazed surfaces, while their design is sympathetic to the canal-side setting.
In 2019, the Sainsbury’s supermarket was officially listed as Grade II by Historic England, making it the first purpose-built supermarket to be added to the National Heritage List for England. The inclusion of the supermarket in the National Heritage List acknowledges its importance as an example of High-tech architecture and its role in the development of modern supermarket design.
The Grand Union Complex, as a whole, is considered a successful integration of modern architecture into a sensitive urban context. Camden Council supported the project, and the buildings are praised for their ability to combine functionality with high-quality architectural design. This success is attributed to the collaboration between the architects, the client (Sainsbury’s), and the local authority. The development represents an innovative approach to urban design, where each element of the complex — the supermarket, residential terrace, office block, and crèche — was tailored to meet specific planning and servicing requirements while maintaining a cohesive architectural style.
The Sainsbury’s supermarket in Camden is a key example of how modern retail spaces can be designed with architectural integrity and attention to detail. Its listing as Grade II highlights its significance in the history of architecture and urban design, demonstrating that even functional buildings like supermarkets can be elevated to the level of high-quality architecture and the project is considered a milestone in the architectural development of supermarket design.
If you would like to share your memories of working or shopping at Camden Town please head over to our Memories page.
![SA/BR/22/C/5/2/1 - Camden [17-21 Camden Road] store: Art work of proposed store in surroundings](https://d1nvj7b44vmgv4.cloudfront.net/w500/br/SA-BR-22-C-5-2-1.jpg)
![SA/BR/22/C/5/2/2 - Camden [17-21 Camden Road] store proposal booklet](https://d1nvj7b44vmgv4.cloudfront.net/w500/br/SA-BR-22-C-5-2-2.1.jpg)
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