Meet Amro’s 8ft tall giraffe, Tutti Frutti

Croydon Stands Tall, a 10-week art trail created by Croydon BID and Wild In Art, will see a herd of 30 giant giraffes popping up across the town centre, each hand decorated by an artist in celebration of Croydon’s extraordinary heritage and cultural diversity. The event will bring the town centre to life, involving people from all communities, attracting visitors and driving footfall, whilst raising funds to support homelessness charity Crisis and the Croydon Skylight Centre.

Artist Lucy Hebden, known for her floral and botanical inspired patterns and prints, has chosen a design inspired by the fruit and veg stalls of Croydon’s lively Surrey Street Market for Tutti Frutti, which will be unveiled when the trail launches on 21st August 2023. In addition to the main trail, local schools and youth groups are busy creating their own herd of 4ft baby giraffe sculptures which will form a secondary trail across Croydon’s civic centres, libraries and shops.

Tom Donnachie, MD, UK Investment said: “Croydon Stands Tall is a brilliant initiative that will bring colour and excitement to the streets of Croydon this summer and engage residents across the borough. As we look forward to starting work on the creation of Botanical House, setting a new standard for sustainable and inclusive rental housing in the town, we’re pleased to be supporting this project as part of our long-term commitment to the Croydon community.”

Botanical House is scheduled to open in 2026, delivering 455 new rental homes to Croydon, suitable for single people through to families. It will be one of the most environmentally friendly new buildings in the UK, using many of the materials from the existing Croydon Park Hotel building, enhancing the streetscape and creating a significant biodiversity net gain.

We are already working with young people in Croydon through local charity Legacy Youth Zone to decide the purpose and design of a new 83 sqm shared community space on Altyre Road, as part of lasting legacy for the town.