Tower Buildings

BREWHOUSE LANE E1 1. 4431 TQ 3480 22/1 Wapping Tower Buildings II

1. 1864 'erected by the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company". A tenement block of rather more intricate plan type than usual. Five storeys with rusticated stucco ground floor, splayed corners to returns. Single bay blocks of stock brick flank the north elevation with a 2 bay similar block to centre. Stuccoed elevations of 7 narrow arcaded stucco bays, set back and screened by superimposed balcony- galleries still with Regency pattern ironwork of diagonal geometric design, carried on cast iron girders and slender iron shafts and set on roof terrace. The stairs to centre of each gallery set in shallow semi-circular well running behind central blind archway of arcade through which rises full height dust shoot. Passage entries to flats on south side at each end of gallery arcade. Windows on projecting blocks have stucco architraves with cornices on consoles and block pediments. 1860 ornate cast iron work flower guards to first floor. Casement windows. South elevation has complex rhythm of single and paired bays projecting from 5 sided well recesses. Moulded brick cornice. Casement windows. Of special interest as a now extremely rare example of early metropolitan working class housing. Probablyfthe designs of W Allen, and promoted by Alderman Sydney Waterlow, founder of the profit-waking "Improved Industrial Dwelling Company" (1863, one year before the erection of this block. The company was to house labourers for the rest of the century). The plan breaks from the courtyard type most popular in early dwelling blocks (1840's onwards) in favour of a block with better ventilation. For the sane reason lavatories are placed at the back of the flats, instead of next to the entrance, as previously. Historic interest as an early example of its kind.

Listing NGR: TQ3487680137