Supreme Court rules for residents in privacy dispute over Tate Modern viewing terrace

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has overturned previous rulings in favor of Tate Modern, siding with residents of Neo Bankside flats in a privacy case concerning the museum's viewing terrace. On Wednesday, a 3-2 split decision reversed judgments from the High Court and Court of Appeal, which had supported the gallery. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the open terrace atop the Blavatnik Building offers panoramic views of London and opened to the public in 2016. Owners of four luxury apartments argued that constant observation and photography by visitors constituted an intrusion. Lord Leggatt, a Supreme Court judge, described the situation as a 'straightforward case of nuisance,' comparing living conditions to being 'on display in a zoo.' He noted a reluctance in prior decisions to let private rights of wealthy property owners restrict public access to views and museum offerings. The case will return to the high court to determine a specific remedy. Following the ruling, Tate Modern has temporarily closed its Viewing Level to visitors.