79-83, Charterhouse Street

The building at 79-83 Charterhouse Street is a Meat Inspector's Office constructed in 1930 as part of the Smithfield Meat Market. Designed by the Corporation Engineers Department, the exterior features a symmetrical Portland stone façade displaying Art Deco and inter-war Classical influences. The building is five bays wide and three storeys tall, with a central entrance highlighted by a pronounced cornice and small balcony. Pilasters with abstract capitals flank the entrance, which is positioned between the main office’s metal-framed windows and the vehicle entrance’s wooden panelled folding doors. Stepped green copper panels are present at the second floor level, and the central bay is slightly advanced. The upper portion of the building is adorned with relief panels depicting livestock—sheep, cows, rams, and lambs—in a procession, with a solemn and proud expression. The Corporation of London’s crest is centered above. The stone is dressed, incorporating large voussoir lintels.

The interior retains quality fittings and is well-preserved. The ground floor office has intact wooden and glazed 'Enquiries' partitions. A full-height open staircase features a bronze handrail and metal geometric balustrade. Heavy wooden doors with architraves and geometric tracery overlights are present throughout. The lecture room incorporates dado panelling with raised plaster, timber pilasters, original fireplaces with bolection moulding, and marble insets. Original fitted furniture and male and female changing rooms are also included.

The Meat Inspector's Office was designed in 1930, with the frieze sculpted by H.H. Martyn and Co., a firm also involved with Haggerston Baths in Hackney. A contemporary watercolour shows the façade as it appears today, indicating a reconstruction for the Corporation of London. The interior appears consistent with the same period.

The building is significant for its architecture as a municipal office with a composed Portland stone façade demonstrating Art Deco influences and an impressive livestock frieze by H.H. Martyn and Co. The frieze connects the building visually and functionally with the Grade II* Smithfield Market building it faces.