AN ICONIC WAREHOUSE has become a listed building.

Historic England, the public body that looks after the nation’s buildings, has granted the McKay Trading Estate in Blackthorne Road, Poyle, listed status, citing the building as a important example of Post-Modern architecture.

The building was the first independent commission for architect John Outram, now considered to be an important voice in late 20th century British architecture, with the project initiated in 1976 and finished in 1978.

Historic England said the design showed an “intriguing level of thought for the composition of an industrial building”.

A key visual point is the building’s facades, which are almost flat – but the interplay between windows and frames, and the brick and concrete, creates a visual illusion that makes them seem three-dimensional.

Historic England said: “The effect is to emphasise the nature of the building, as designed façades with functional space behind.”

The organisation further noted: “The three separate parts of the site: the building, forecourt and car parking, define the space and represent an urban piazza, and along with the arcading of the façades, underline Outram’s evocation of traditional European squares.”

Another aspect of the design praised was the building’s arches, which Historic England compared to the style of other noted architects like Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn.

The building was announced this week as listed alongside 15 other buildings nationwide considered to be outstanding examples of post-modernism, although the McKay Trading Estate was one of only two commercial buildings listed.

The site now houses a number of businesses, including Connexion World Cargo Ltd and Global Cargo Services.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “Post-Modern architecture brought fun and colour to our streets.

“Housing schemes were enlivened with bold façades, a school technology building was decorated with columns designed as screws, a business park injected with glamour.

“These are scarce survivals of a really influential period of British architecture, and these buildings deserve the protection that listing gives them.”