Cobden Buildings

Cobden Buildings is a block of eighteen philanthropic flats built in 1865 by Matthew Allen for the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company, guided by Sydney Waterlow. The ground floor features painted stucco and full-height recesses behind balconies, while the upper sections are constructed of Flemish bond brick with flat roofs behind parapets and short stacks on the side elevations. The building stands five storeys tall, with two or four flats on each floor arranged around a central staircase, accessed from a balcony at the front.

The facade has a four-bay design topped with a moulded brick cornice. The central two bays are separated by a brick pier and set back behind a cast-iron balustrade, with the entrance on the ground floor now infilled and glazed. Each outer bay contains one window per floor, featuring three-section sash windows with three small panes, all framed in moulded architrave surrounds with brackets. The ground floor also includes a cornice, frieze, and console brackets. The interiors have not been inspected.

Cobden Buildings was one of the first developments by the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company, which was the first significant philanthropic housing company in London, and reflects the influence of Sydney Waterlow. The buildings are noted for their distinctive design, using robust materials and good finishes, while also allowing for effective ventilation. Cobden Buildings in Islington is part of a group with Derby Buildings located across the road in Britannia Street, Camden.