Clarendon Buildings And Attached Railings

THe following building shall be added: TQ 2281 SW BALDERTON STREET (west side) 1900-/55/10032 Clarendon Buildings and attached railings) II Flatted philanthropic housing. 1872. Designed by Sydney Waterlow for the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company, and constructed with the advice of the builder, Matthew Allen. Red brick in Flemish bond with cement rendering and cast cement detailing. Mansard roof of tile with roof dormers. Five storeys over basement. End block of three-windows each, with three bays of balconies supported on plain brick piers. Steps spanning broad basement area to ground-floor balcony; open stair well to rear wall, which is articulated into bays by simple pilasters and entablature. Openwork spandrels to balconies which are enclosed by railings of an authentic design; authentic railings to basement area as well. Canted bay with triple windows to centre range of end blocks, basement through first floors; tripartite windows above; remaining windows to end blocks have cement rendered aedicule to ground and first floors and segmental brick arches to upper floors. Dormers with boldy moulded aedicules. Remaining openings are flat arched. Plaque with words 'Clarendon Flats, 1-38, to right of entrance stair. Red brick to return; Rear elevation in brown brick; cast window lintels; rear projection contains for bedrooms, sculleries and WCs. The simplification of the cast detailing and general architectural expression reflect the tight economies imposed on commercial, philanthropic developments of this kind. The open stair-hall and balcony arrangement was calculated to produce a more healthful communal environment, eliminating the foul, dark and dangerous hallways in speculatively-built working-class tenements. Waterlow's IIDC was one of the most prolific of the philanthropic housing companies, setting an influential pattern for working-class housing development. The use of red brick on the main elevation of this structure represents a departure from earlier blocks which were made from cheaper brown brick, and was a concession to the Duke of Westminster, who gave this and other plots in his Mayfair estate for the construction of reformed working-class dwellings. _ _ ___ _ _ _ _ _ _

Listing NGR: TQ2829381018