Architecture Update: Post-war values

DEVELOPERS and property owners are expected to take more than a passing interest in an English Heritage exhibition that opens next month on post-war commercial and industrial buildings. The exhibition, entitled 'The Age of Optimism: English Architecture 1945-70', with a one-day conference on 9 February, is a precursor to recommendations that English Heritage will be making in March to Peter Brooke, Secretary of State for National Heritage, on which post-war industrial and commercial buildings should be listed.

For months the property industry has been warning - somewhat prematurely - that if commercial buildings are listed, it could reduce their market value.

'The Age of Optimism' opens to the public at Waterloo station concourse on 10 and 11 February.