Peep Show ‘home’ earmarked for temporary accommodation flats

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

The 1960s-built Zodiac Court, once home to Mark and Jez in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show as the fictional Apollo House, is now on track to play a key role in addressing Croydon’s housing crisis.

The council is set to approve plans to convert the old office building into 73 temporary accommodation flats.

The local authority’s proposal involves turning part of the building into self-contained flats, ranging from one to three bedrooms. Croydon is seeking to secure a 999-year lease for the former office section, where the flats will be located.

If approved at a cabinet meeting tomorrow, the development would ease Croydon’s temporary housing shortages. According to the council’s figures, 3,600 households in the borough are currently living in temporary accommodation.

The borough is also under pressure from neighbouring areas, with an increasing number of residents needing to be housed in Croydon after failing to find suitable accommodation closer to home.

Hoardings have surrounded Zodiac Court for years due to the site’s ongoing refurbishment. The building, which had been vacant for 30 years, and its iconic tower block, required substantial restoration.

While Croydon will use part of the building for its 73 units, the rest, including its tower, will remain with the freeholder. The tower currently has space for 64 units.

Alongside the flats, the council hopes to eventually acquire the public garden space and community building on site. Once the works are finished, the developer will lease the public square and community centre to a local group, who will be responsible for maintenance.

Pictured top: The building, once featured in Peep Show, will soon be used to address Croydon’s shortage of temporary accommodation (Picture: LDRS/Harrison Galliven)