Video Exploring Sovereign House

Norfolk Undiscovered: Sovereign House (Click link to video)

This building is just off Magdalen street's Anglia Square and was originally built for her majesty's stationary office in the 1960s. HMSO moved most of its offices from London to Norwich because of the construction.

It was built by Alan Cook Associates and consists of 7 story office block, 3 wings of glass and concrete topped by a brick tower. Its design is famous for its brutalism and modernist aspects, the spiral staircases are a particular feature.

Unfortunately the building had critical design flaws and after 25 years it became too expensive to maintain. In 1996 the building was closed down and eventually became derelict. In fact it has been home to occasional police training exercises and mindless acts of vandalism.

In this video an original worker from the offices explores the building and explains where everything used to be. The interesting elements about the place could be put on a page of the guidebook as it is located just off Magdalen Street.