Accumulator Tower And Chimney Stack To East Side Of Tower Bridge Approach

The accumulator tower and chimney stack on the east side of Tower Bridge approach were built between 1886 and 1894, designed by engineer Sir J Wolfe-Barry. This structure is made of brown stock brick with grey brick detailing and is styled in a Vanbrughian manner. The tower has a rectangular plan and rises three tall storeys above the level of the River Thames.

The exterior features a three-bay front facing the road, with the outer bays slightly advanced, resembling broad quoin piers. A deep parapet with corbelled dies is topped by a block cornice and a blocking course, all crafted in brick. The central bay includes a door at road level, flanked by two windows above, and an additional window on the top floor, with one more in the middle of the floor between. All windows are adorned with slightly 'Tudor' gauged-brick arches, drip moulds, bull-nosed surrounds, and Portland stone sills. The same window details are present on the short returns of the tower.

Attached to the north side at the base is a tall chimney stack, which has a square section and is slightly battered, with its crown designed similarly to the tower's parapet. The top two-thirds of the chimney stack have been rebuilt. This chimney stack is associated with a pair of fine horizontal tandem compound steam engines located under the south approach. The accumulator tower housed the main accumulator, one of five connected with the bridge, which stored power supplied by the water pump contained within.