IT WAS DERELICT WHEN I PHOTOGRAPHED IT IN 2019
RED K6 PHONE KIOSK ON NORTH STREET BELFAST AS IT WAS IN 2019 [AN EXAMPLE OF URBAN DECAY]
The Resurrection of the North Street K6: A Belfast Icon Restored
Location: North Street, Belfast Model: K6 'Jubilee Box' (Designed 1936)
The iconic K6 telephone kiosk on North Street in Belfast is more than just street furniture; it is a listed structure that tells a fascinating story of preservation, neglect, and ultimately, renewal.
My personal documentation of this kiosk spans a decade, mirroring the changing fortunes of the immediate area. When I first encountered the phone box in May 2015, it was in excellent condition—seemingly well-maintained and proudly situated alongside a new Belfast Bikes docking station. However, the years that followed were unkind. By March 2019, the kiosk had fallen into a state of severe disrepair, serving as a stark example of the urban decay typical of the area at that time; even the bike station had been relocated.
Fortunately, the story has a happy ending. Restoration work was undertaken in 2024, and when I returned to photograph the site in May 2025, the kiosk had been returned to its former glory. Fully restored, it stands today as a testament to the enduring legacy of British industrial design.
The K6: A Revolution in Public Telephony
The red telephone box remains a familiar sight across the United Kingdom and former British territories, from Malta to Bermuda. While their numbers have dwindled, they remain a global symbol of British culture. In 2006, the telephone box was voted one of Britain’s top ten design icons, ranking alongside the Supermarine Spitfire, the Mini, and the London Tube map.
The specific model on North Street is a K6 (Kiosk No. 6). Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it was introduced in 1936 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, earning it the moniker "The Jubilee Kiosk."
The K6 marked a significant shift in connectivity. It was the first red kiosk to be extensively deployed outside London, facilitating a dramatic increase in public telephones across the UK—from 19,000 in 1935 to 35,000 by 1940.
Design Evolution: K2 vs. K6
Scott’s design for the K6 was essentially a streamlined, more compact version of his earlier K2 model. It was conceived to be cheaper to produce and to occupy less pavement space, aligning with the "moderne" aesthetics of the 1930s.
Key differences included:
Size and Weight: The K6 is significantly smaller, standing at 8 feet 3 inches (2.51 m) and weighing 0.69 tonnes. In comparison, the older K2 loomed at 9 feet 3 inches (2.82 m) and weighed nearly double (1.27 tonnes).
Aesthetics: The K6 simplified the ornate detailing of the past. The Grecian fluting on the door and window surrounds was removed, and the previously separate pediment and frieze were merged for a cleaner look.
Ventilation: On the K2, the crown motif was pierced through the ironwork for ventilation. On the K6, the crown became an embossed bas-relief, with a separate ventilation slot added below the roofline.
Glazing Pattern: The K6 introduced a horizontal window aesthetic. While the K2 featured 18 equal-sized panes (6 rows of 3), the K6 increased this to 8 rows. Crucially, the central column of glass panes was made significantly wider than the side columns, improving visibility and giving the box a more modern, horizontal appearance.
The Colour Controversy
While the "Red Phone Box" is an icon today, the colour was not universally embraced upon its introduction. In the 1930s, the striking red hue caused friction in rural areas, leading to requests for less conspicuous shades. The Post Office eventually permitted a muted grey with red glazing bars for areas of natural beauty—though, ironically, many of these preserved boxes have since been painted red by modern owners.
For historical purists, the shade of red matters. The colour most widely used today is "Currant Red" (British Standard BS381C-Red539). This slightly brighter shade was actually introduced with the K8 model in 1968. To be historically accurate, kiosks in pre-1968 settings—like the Jubilee K6—should ideally be painted in the slightly darker, original shade: BS381C-Red538.
The Resurrection of the North Street K6: A Belfast Icon Restored
Location: North Street, Belfast Model: K6 'Jubilee Box' (Designed 1936)
The iconic K6 telephone kiosk on North Street in Belfast is more than just street furniture; it is a listed structure that tells a fascinating story of preservation, neglect, and ultimately, renewal.
My personal documentation of this kiosk spans a decade, mirroring the changing fortunes of the immediate area. When I first encountered the phone box in May 2015, it was in excellent condition—seemingly well-maintained and proudly situated alongside a new Belfast Bikes docking station. However, the years that followed were unkind. By March 2019, the kiosk had fallen into a state of severe disrepair, serving as a stark example of the urban decay typical of the area at that time; even the bike station had been relocated.
Fortunately, the story has a happy ending. Restoration work was undertaken in 2024, and when I returned to photograph the site in May 2025, the kiosk had been returned to its former glory. Fully restored, it stands today as a testament to the enduring legacy of British industrial design.
The K6: A Revolution in Public Telephony
The red telephone box remains a familiar sight across the United Kingdom and former British territories, from Malta to Bermuda. While their numbers have dwindled, they remain a global symbol of British culture. In 2006, the telephone box was voted one of Britain’s top ten design icons, ranking alongside the Supermarine Spitfire, the Mini, and the London Tube map.
The specific model on North Street is a K6 (Kiosk No. 6). Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, it was introduced in 1936 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V, earning it the moniker "The Jubilee Kiosk."
The K6 marked a significant shift in connectivity. It was the first red kiosk to be extensively deployed outside London, facilitating a dramatic increase in public telephones across the UK—from 19,000 in 1935 to 35,000 by 1940.
Design Evolution: K2 vs. K6
Scott’s design for the K6 was essentially a streamlined, more compact version of his earlier K2 model. It was conceived to be cheaper to produce and to occupy less pavement space, aligning with the "moderne" aesthetics of the 1930s.
Key differences included:
Size and Weight: The K6 is significantly smaller, standing at 8 feet 3 inches (2.51 m) and weighing 0.69 tonnes. In comparison, the older K2 loomed at 9 feet 3 inches (2.82 m) and weighed nearly double (1.27 tonnes).
Aesthetics: The K6 simplified the ornate detailing of the past. The Grecian fluting on the door and window surrounds was removed, and the previously separate pediment and frieze were merged for a cleaner look.
Ventilation: On the K2, the crown motif was pierced through the ironwork for ventilation. On the K6, the crown became an embossed bas-relief, with a separate ventilation slot added below the roofline.
Glazing Pattern: The K6 introduced a horizontal window aesthetic. While the K2 featured 18 equal-sized panes (6 rows of 3), the K6 increased this to 8 rows. Crucially, the central column of glass panes was made significantly wider than the side columns, improving visibility and giving the box a more modern, horizontal appearance.
The Colour Controversy
While the "Red Phone Box" is an icon today, the colour was not universally embraced upon its introduction. In the 1930s, the striking red hue caused friction in rural areas, leading to requests for less conspicuous shades. The Post Office eventually permitted a muted grey with red glazing bars for areas of natural beauty—though, ironically, many of these preserved boxes have since been painted red by modern owners.
For historical purists, the shade of red matters. The colour most widely used today is "Currant Red" (British Standard BS381C-Red539). This slightly brighter shade was actually introduced with the K8 model in 1968. To be historically accurate, kiosks in pre-1968 settings—like the Jubilee K6—should ideally be painted in the slightly darker, original shade: BS381C-Red538.
AS IT WAS IN 2019