Central Timber Framed Arbour/Tool Shed

The Central Timber Framed Arbour/Tool Shed is a garden structure located in Soho Square, built around 1925-1926 by Messrs J. Strutt & Co for the Charing Cross Electricity Company. It was designed to disguise an electricity sub-station. The building features a brick and breezeblock core with timber-framing made from reused 17th and 18th century floor beams, which have rendered infill panels. The south door has an old four-centred head, possibly dating before the 17th century. The roof is conical, covered with clay peg tiles, and has upswept projecting eaves supported by shaped brackets. There are gabled dormers on the north and south elevations, each with shaped bargeboards. The structure is designed in the Tudorbethan style to resemble an octagonal market cross building. It has two storeys and eight windows. The first floor overhangs and is supported by round arched arcading with carved spandrels. The north and south elevations feature double panelled doors with four-centred heads. The first floor windows consist of three lights, while the gable windows have four lights, all adorned with carved timber trefoil heads.