A MYSTERIOUS red building which popped up behind Lewisham Shopping Centre has been built for Citibank.

It has been constructed to accommodate employees who are currently crammed into Citibank House and Riverdale House.

The imposing new building, described as looking like a “Lego brick” by Lewisham resident Dominic Cooper, was constructed by Birch.

A Citibank spokesman said: “We have always had strong connections with Lewisham.

“Over the years we have been very active with schools and local government.

“We are very interested in continuing and deepening community ties with Lewisham.”

The New York-based company employs more than 1,000 people in the building attached to Lewisham Shopping Centre.

The company also has employees working in Riverdale House, situated on the other side of Molesworth Street.

The new building is expected to be used for data entry, technical support, accounting and IT services.

Construction of the building should be completed by October this year and employees should move in by July 2002.

But, it appears, the style of the new building is not to everyone's taste.

Mr Cooper, 23, of Morley Road, Lewisham, said: “I am shocked. It is revolting. It doesn't seem to have any windows and it looks more like a double-decker bus.”