Morland House, Millbank Estate

Morland House is a block of flats constructed between 1897 and 1902 as part of the Millbank Estate, one of the first and most significant housing estates developed by the London County Council. The estate was designed by the Architects' Department, with R. Minton Taylor likely responsible for the layout of the buildings radiating from a central public garden. The building is of red brick with stone dressings and some rendering, covered by slate roofs. Its design reflects a humane, Arts and Crafts socialist approach, inspired by the work of Webb, Lethaby, and Smith and Brewer, incorporating “Queen Anne” details and executed to a high standard.

The building is a long rectangular block situated at a right angle to John Islip Street and facing Marsham Street, with a rear courtyard. It rises five storeys and has an 18-window front, with a three-window return. Cornice-hooded entrances are located on the rear courtyard elevation. The windows are largely flush framed glazing bar sashes, except for the rendered top floor which has close-set “weaving shed” casements, arranged to reflect the interior layout. A shallow gable sits over a central break of six bays. The roof is hipped with flat eaves and a shallow pavilion break to the west end. Morland House is intended as a counterpart to Wilkie House, located south of the central garden.