On a grey wet spring day, walking along the uninspiring approach road to Waterloo Station, down towards the bridge that connects to the roundabout at Westminster Bridge, squeezed on a narrow pavement between the brickwork of Waterloo station and a long queue of black taxis waiting to move forward to take their turn to be hailed by new arrivals at the station, the taxi’s “for hire” signs giving a festive glitter of lights along the road, walking past an opening through which the graffiti art that covers the walls and arches of Leake Street can be seen; but yet; down this uninspiring road, there are lightly-dressed youngsters each carrying a skateboard. Then, turning the corner, through an opening, a bright light beckons. Here, in a most unlikely place, in five of the arches of Waterloo Station is a lively buzzing creative centre: The House of Vans.
In the furthermost arches, skateboarders are honing their skills on skater-designed ramps and courses in London’s only indoor skatepark, with parents of the youngest watching alongside. Other arches of this 30,000 sq ft space, designed by Hellicar and Lewis, support art incubation, cinema, live music, café and bars, with Vans branding, artwork and memorabilia throughout as an “European edition” of the House of Vans while respecting the industrial qualities of the old brick railway arches.
Sponsored by the US clothing company House of Vans as “the physical manifestation of the culture and creativity that have defined the Vans brand since 1966”, Waterloo is home to the second House of Vans, the other being in Brooklyn, New York.
Celebrating 50 years of “Off The Wall” is the current exhibition of memorabilia including loans from the Skateboard Museum Berlin and The Other Side of the Pillow alongside 3D sets from the new brand campaign,
As retail brands increase their identification with lifestyles, the Waterloo House of Vans links its 50 year old heritage to its ongoing position as a youthful brand for the 21st century, sitting alongside one of London’s centres for street art. Go and visit!
My dad’s whole philosophy was to make shoes like Sherman Tanks, they were really built tough and you’d have to tell your friends about it. (Steve Van Doren).
