Gasholder No 2, former Bromley-by-Bow gasworks

Gasholder. Built in about 1871 to 1872 to the design of the engineers Joseph Clark and Thomas Kirkham for the Imperial Gas Light and Coke Company by the contractors Westwood and Wrights.

MATERIALS: cast-iron columns and composite wrought and cast-iron girders to the guide frame. Each girder is formed of a decorative cast-iron web between two wrought-iron angles at the top and bottom.

DESCRIPTION: the gasholder is about 23m high and 62m in diameter. The circular guide frame comprises two tiers of 28 cast-iron columns joined by horizontal cast and wrought-iron girders (Type 14 in Tucker’s Typology of gasholders). The lower columns are each fixed on a substantial moulded cast-iron pedestal. These have fielded panels and oval plaques embossed with the letters: MESSRS CLARK & KIRKHAM/ ENGINEERS and WESTWOOD & WRIGHTS/ CONTRACTORS, as well as the date of construction and an eagle motif of the Imperial Gas Light and Coke Company. The lower columns are cast as Roman Doric columns with moulded bases and capitals. Surmounting each column is a junction or connection box, which takes the form of an entablature comprising a Doric frieze with triglyphs beneath a cornice. Each cornice is made as a detachable casting that conceals the structural connection between the lower column and the one above. The lower girders are embellished with filigree ironwork comprising inter-laced decorative patterns. The upper tier of columns is cast as a simplified version of the Corinthian order, each surmounted by a plain frieze. The proportions of the columns vary as the classical canon dictates; from the heavier Doric on the bottom to the lighter Corinthian at the top. The upper girders are enriched with an interlocking circle motif. Attached to the inside edge of each column are the guide rails for the wrought-iron roller carriages upon which the telescopic bell of the gasholder rose as it was filled with gas and fell as it was emptied.

Pursuant to s1 (5A) of the Planning (listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 ('the Act') it is declared that both the bell and tank are not of special architectural or historic interest. However, any works which have the potential to affect the character of the listed building as a building of special architectural or historic interest may still require LBC and this is a matter for the LPA to determine.