Residents in complex opposite Tate Modern slam 'farcical' legal battle trends now
A costly legal battle between wealthy residents and the Tate Modern has been slammed as a 'farce' after a judge upheld their claim that they felt 'spied' on by those on its viewing platform - but visitors can still clearly see into their luxury flats from other parts of the gallery.
Pictures taken by MailOnline from public areas on the first and second floor of the Tate Modern, just 24 hours after the Supreme Court decision, clearly show the inside of the stylish apartments while offices located on the gallery's third and fourth floors also provide direct views into them.
The inside of one flat showed its living room which had a white sofa and round table inside it. In another flat, a stylish armchair with a large cuddly toy on it could be seen beside a pot with a small Christmas tree in it, resting on a round table.
One resident of the luxury flats had clearly had enough and had drawn the blinds.
Five residents at the multi-million complex, located in one of London's most exclusive areas beside the River Thames, have spent almost six years fighting the Tate Modern in a high-profile privacy case.
A graphic showing the locations of the multi-million pound flats (pictured right) and the viewing platform (left)
Pictures taken by MailOnline from public areas on the first and second floor of the Tate Modern, just 24 hours after the Supreme Court decision, clearly show the inside of the stylish apartments
One resident of the luxury flats had clearly had enough and had drawn the blinds
They argued that the gallery's viewing platform was a 'relentless invasion of their privacy' and that visitors took pictures of them or just stared at them while they were inside their homes.
But other residents of the complex have been left fuming at the expensive legal wrangling, insisting that it has not achieved anything because their privacy is still being invaded.
Maria, who did not want to give her last name and rents a flat in the complex, said: 'What was the point of this court case? The lawyers were all focusing on the viewing platform but visitors to the Tate can still look into the flats.
'It's been a complete waste of time and money. Even if part of the viewing platform is closed, our privacy is still being invaded. The whole thing is a farce because we've still got the same problems.'
Linda, who lives in a flat rented for her by her parents, said: 'Most of the residents in the complex are not here full time and that includes me. They are very rich people like my parents who also have homes in other parts of the UK or abroad.
'This ruling has not solved the problem. You can still come to the Tate and look into our homes, you don't have to be on the viewing platform. The case has been going on a long time and this ruling does not make any sense.'
Following a long running legal dispute, the Supreme Court ruled earlier this week that the viewing platform at the Tate Modern invaded the privacy of some residents living in the multi-million-pound Neo Bank Side Pavilion building as it directly overlooks their flats.
The case has been running since 2017 is already believed to have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal fees - which are now set to increase.
Residents of the complex have been left fuming at the expensive legal wrangling, insisting that it has not achieved anything because their privacy is still being invaded
Visitors can still clearly see into their luxury flats from other parts of the gallery
The matter will now return to the High Court which could result in parts of the viewing platform being closed
One resident who did not wish to be named said: 'It's not just about the viewing platform - anybody who lives in a flat facing the Tate has a problem with privacy, because you can clearly see into our homes. So, what was the point of this case?'
The matter will now return to the High Court which
