Elkins Brothers, Gentlemens Outfitters

ISLINGTON

TQ3187SW STROUD GREEN ROAD 635-1/10/833 (South West side) 25/09/90 No.85 Elkins Brothers, Gents Outfitters

II

Terraced house of mid-C19 with shop front of c.1905. Yellow brick set in Flemish bond, stucco, roof obscured by parapet. Three storeys, three windows to Stroud Green Road, two to Tollington Park. The shop front has a base of marble and granite, and flat-arched windows of three bays to either side of corner entrance with curved glazing; flat-arched entrance with overlight. The windows are divided by slim columns with one transom which break into small branches of simpler Art Nouveau character below the fascia; the earlier fascia of Thomas Swan and Co., Hosiers, is temporarily partly exposed behind that of Elkins Brothers, following an accident in 1986. Stucco surround to corner clock of c.1930. First- and second-floor windows segmental-arched with stucco heads and keystones, except that the second-floor windows on Stroud Green Road have been altered to a flat arch. Cornice on Tollington Park, with blocking course; parapet only on Stroud Green Road. The interior is that of an early C20 men's outfitters; the general arrangement of the shop and some of the fittings date from 1905 when Thomas Swan and Co. took over the shop; the fittings were slightly altered and added to in 1929 when the shop passed into the hands of Elkins Brothers; and no alterations have been made since 1949. Ceiling carried on cast-iron columns; mirror panels to window walls; fitted and in some cases glazed drawers to inner walls, and glazed free-standing showcases; surviving gas lamps; cast-iron bolted spiral staircase. The first-floor front room towards Tollington Park has a good late-C19 cast-iron fireplace with painted tiles in the cheeks. (Information from staff of Elkins Brothers).

Listing NGR: TQ3104087200