BLOOMSBURY CONSERVATION AREA

BLOOMSBURY CONSERVATION
AREA
CHARACTER APPRAISAL
Draft for Comment
January 2008
Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Ltd
14 Regent’s Wharf
All Saints Street
London N1 9RL
Offices also in:
Cardiff
Manchester
Newcastle upon Tyne
T 020 7837 4477
F 020 7837 2277
[email protected]
www.nlpplanning.com
CONTENTS
PART 1: CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL
1.0
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 2
Purpose of the Appraisal............................................................................................................. 2
Designation ................................................................................................................................. 3
2.0
PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT................................................................................................. 4
3.0
SUMMARY OF SPECIAL INTEREST ........................................................................................ 5
Context and Evolution................................................................................................................. 5
Spatial Character and Views....................................................................................................... 6
Building Typology and Form ....................................................................................................... 7
Prevalent and Traditional Building Materials .............................................................................. 8
Characteristic Details .................................................................................................................. 8
Landscape and Public Realm ..................................................................................................... 9
4.0
LOCATION AND SETTING...................................................................................................... 10
Location and Context ................................................................................................................ 10
Topography ............................................................................................................................... 10
General Character and Plan Form............................................................................................ 10
5.0
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT .................................................................................................... 12
Overview ................................................................................................................................... 12
Before 1660............................................................................................................................... 12
1660-1750 ................................................................................................................................. 12
1750- 1830 ................................................................................................................................ 13
1830- 1900 ................................................................................................................................ 15
1900- 1940 ................................................................................................................................ 17
1940- present day ..................................................................................................................... 18
6.0
CHARACTER ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................ 19
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 19
Sub Area 1: Euston Road ........................................................................................................ 20
Sub Area 2: Gordon/Woburn Square/ Byng Place ................................................................... 21
Sub Area 3: London University/British Museum ....................................................................... 25
Sub Area 4: Alfred Place/Tottenham Court Road..................................................................... 29
Sub Area 5: Bedford Square/Gower Street .............................................................................. 32
Sub Area 6: Bloomsbury Square/ Russell Square/Tavistock Square....................................... 35
Sub Area 7: The Museum Street Area...................................................................................... 40
Sub Area 8: New Oxford Street/High Holborn/Southampton Row ........................................... 46
Sub Area 10: Hanway Street/ Hanway Place ........................................................................... 51
Sub Area 10: Gray’s Inn/ Lincoln’s Inn Fields.......................................................................... 51
Sub Area 11: Great James Street............................................................................................ 55
Sub Area 12: Queens Square/ Lamb’s Conduit Street ............................................................ 59
Sub Area 13: Coram’s Fields/Brunswick Centre...................................................................... 63
Sub Area 14: Cartwright Gardens/ Argyle Square................................................................... 65
Sub Area 15: Calthorpe/Frederick Street................................................................................. 67
7.0
AUDIT ....................................................................................................................................... 71
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 71
APPENDICES TO PART 1
Appendix 1: Historic Maps
Appendix 2: The Conservation Area Boundary and Constituent Sub Areas
Appendix 3: Built Heritage Audit (by sub area)
Appendix 4: Built Heritage Audit (by sub area)
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PART 2: MANAGEMENT PLAN
1.0
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 73
2.0
MONITORING AND REVIEW................................................................................................... 74
Monitoring ................................................................................................................................. 74
Review ...................................................................................................................................... 74
3.0
MAINTAINING CHARACTER .................................................................................................. 75
General Approach ..................................................................................................................... 75
Policy and Legislation ............................................................................................................... 75
8.0
BOUNDARY CHANGES CONSIDERED ................................................................................. 77
Adjustments to Conservation Area Boundaries ........................................................................ 77
Extensions to the Bloomsbury Conservation Area ................................................................... 77
4.0
MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE ................................................................................................. 80
Current Issues........................................................................................................................... 80
Investment and Maintenance.................................................................................................... 82
Listed Buildings ......................................................................................................................... 83
Unlisted Buildings...................................................................................................................... 85
Demolition ................................................................................................................................. 86
Control over New Development ................................................................................................ 86
Control of Advertisements......................................................................................................... 89
Development Briefs and Design Guidance............................................................................... 90
Potential Enhancement Schemes/Programmes ....................................................................... 90
Public Realm ............................................................................................................................. 91
Promoting design quality........................................................................................................... 92
Enforcement.............................................................................................................................. 92
Resources ................................................................................................................................. 93
APPENDIX TO PART 2
Appendix 5: Amendments to the Boundary Considered
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Bloomsbury Conservation Area covers an approximately 153 Ha area extending from Euston
Road in the north to High Holborn and Lincoln’s Inn Fields in the south and from Tottenham
Court Road in the west to Gray’s Inn Road.
1.2
Bloomsbury is widely considered to be an internationally significant example of town planning.
The original street layouts, which employed the concept of formal landscaped squares and an
interrelated grid of streets to create an attractive residential environment, remain a dominating
factor in the character of the area. Despite Bloomsbury’s size and varying ownerships, its
rapid expansion (from south to north) from roughly 1660 to1840 has led to a notable
consistency in the street pattern, spatial character and predominant building forms. Today, the
area’s underlying earlier townscape combined with the historic influence of the major
institutional uses that established in and expanded over time is evident across the large parts
of the Conservation Area. Some patterns of use have changed over time, for example, offices
and hotels came to occupy former family dwellings as people moved to the suburbs during the
later 19th and 20th centuries. However, others have remained constant and help to maintain
the area’s distinctive and culturally rich character (the most notable include hospitals
(particularly specialist hospitals), university and academic uses, legal uses and on a smaller
scale, bookshops and furniture shops).
1.3
Bloomsbury is also internationally known as a result of its literary association with the
Bloomsbury Group whose main proponents including Virginia Woolf were based in Gordon
Square the early 20th Century.
Purpose of the Appraisal
1.4
This appraisal has been prepared on behalf of the London Borough of Camden to define the
special interest of the conservation area in order that its key attributes are understood, can be
protected and measures put in place to ensure appropriate enhancement. It updates a
Conservation Area appraisal undertaken in 1998 and which was substantially enlarged and
updated for the west part of Bloomsbury in 2001. This 2007 report updates the 2001
assessment and also extends it to cover the whole of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area.
1.5
Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Strategies are recognised as being of
considerable importance in providing a sound basis for guiding development within them. The
purpose of the documents is to provide a clear indication of the Council’s approach to the
preservation and enhancement of the conservation area. The appraisal is for the use of local
residents, community groups, businesses, property owners, architects and developers and is
an aid to the formulation and design of development proposals and change in this area.
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1.6
The assessment generally follows draft guidance on appraising conservation areas published
by English Heritage in March 2005, adjusting the methodology to meet the requirements of
such a large and complex area. It is based on survey work undertaken in 2001 and early 2007
and sources of information are credited in the Bibliography.
1.7
It is important to note that whilst the appraisal seeks to provide a summary of the special
interest and character and appearance of the conservation area, it would be impossible to
identify all of the detailed characteristics and appearance of every street and area or highlight
every facet that contributes to the areas special interest. Accordingly, future development
proposals must be considered in the context of this character appraisal and a thorough
assessment at the time of the specific character and appearance of that part of the
conservation area.
Designation
1.8
The initial designation of Bloomsbury as a Conservation Area in 1968 sought to protect
elements of remaining development from the Georgian and earlier eras, excluding areas were
there had been significant later redevelopment. There have been numerous subsequent
extensions that have mostly reflected a growing appreciation of Victorian and Edwardian and
high quality 20th century architecture.
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2.0
PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT
2.1
Camden has a duty under the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
(section 69 and 72) to designate as conservation areas any “areas of special architectural or
historic interest, the character or historic interest of which it is desirable to preserve or
enhance” and pay special attention to the preserving or enhancing the character or
appearance of those areas. Designation provides the basis for policies designed to preserve
or enhance the special interest of such an area. Designation also, importantly, introduces
greater control over the removal of trees and more stringent requirements when judging the
acceptability of the demolishing unlisted buildings that contribute to the character of the area.
2.2
Government Policy on Conservation Areas is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 15:
Planning and the Historic Environment (1995).
2.3
The Council’s policies and guidance for conservation areas are currently contained in the
adopted Unitary Development Plan (UDP) (June 2006) and reflect the requirements of national
policy. This document will be superseded by the Local Development Framework, which is due
to be adopted in 2010.
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3.0
SUMMARY OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Context and Evolution
3.1
The Bloomsbury Conservation Area is located on the edge of central London and forms part of
a complex and extensive urban area of inner London north of the River Thames.
3.2
It represents a period expansion of London northwards dating from Stuart times (around
1660), which continued through the Georgian and Regency periods to around 1840. This
period of urbanisation, which followed the Plague and the Great Fire of London, replaced a
series of Medieval Manors on the periphery of London and their associated agricultural and
pastoral land. The first swathe of building created a mix of uses with houses, a market,
commercial, cultural uses (the British Museum), hospitals and churches. Later expansion of
the northern part of the conservation area was focussed on providing grander residential
suburbs for wealthy families. This speculative development followed a consistent form with
terraced townhouses and a formal pattern of streets interspersed with landscaped spaces.
The progression of development across the conservation area illustrates the subtle changes in
taste and style in domestic architecture.
3.3
The Victorian era saw the urban area evolve with a movement of the wealthy to newly
developing sub-urban areas to the north. New uses emerged and existing ones expanded.
There was an increase in industrial uses on the eastern fringes along the Fleet Valley, the
establishment of University College and an expansion in specialist hospitals around Queen
Square and the British Museum. Some of the older areas (St Giles High Street) had become
notorious slums and were replaced with the creation of New Oxford Street and new shopping
and commercial areas. The development of a series of railway termini along Euston Road saw
an expansion in hotel developments and offices. Around the long established Inns of Court,
houses became offices for the legal profession.
3.4
During the 20th century, this change and the expansion of hospital, academic and cultural uses
continued, particularly around the university and hospitals. Bomb damage from WWII lead to
the further redevelopment and replacement of some of the older housing stock with some
large scale new development such as the Brunswick Centre and Lasdun’s Faculty of
Education. Other redevelopment proposals failed due to concern about the loss of the historic
fabric of the area
3.5
The area has continued to evolve and change with more recent developments from the later
20th century around the hospitals and universities and some housing developments that have
mostly meshed sensitively with the older fabric with some fine examples of contemporary but
contextual design continuing the tradition of development that is of its time.
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Spatial Character and Views
Spatial Qualities
3.6
The quintessential character of Bloomsbury derives from the grid of streets enclosed by mainly
three and four-storey development which has a distinctly urban character of broad streets
interspersed by formal squares which provide landscape dominated focal points. There are
also sub-pattern of narrow mews providing access to the rear of development blocks and a
larger loose grid of major arterial routes.
3.7
In the earlier, southern part of the conservation area, the streets tend to be narrower and there
are intimate, mainly pedestrian passageways and cut-throughs that have a particular charm
and sense of history. The spatial character of Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn also differs, being
based on a series of interconnected courtyards and open spaces of varying sizes and scales.
3.8
Overall, the area’s hierarchy of main arterial routes, grids of streets, rear mews spaces and
narrow lanes creates a noticeable transition in the sense of enclosure moving around the
conservation area. This dynamic spatial character emphasises the difference in the scale of
the component streets and spaces, making each component element and the difference
between them notable.
Views and Vistas
3.9
Although the area is strongly influenced by a formal pattern of streets and spaces it was not
planned to create distinctive formal vistas to architectural set pieces such as churches, other
than the view to the Foundling Hospital (demolished 1926). The visual characteristics of the
conservation area derive from the progression from streets to squares and other spaces.
Owing to the role of trees within the conservation area within streets and squares, there is a
notable difference in the visual characteristics in summer and winter. Also of importance in
appreciating the character of the area are the views to the plainer backs of terraces where
these remain intact. Where there are set piece buildings (e.g. The British Museum, St Georges
Bloomsbury) these generally become evident within the streets in which the building sit.
3.10
There are a few notable views to landmarks within and outside the conservation area that
assist orientation and navigation, the main ones being:
View along High Holborn to Commonwealth House
View along Euston Road to St Pancras Church
View along Judd Street to St Pancras Station
Views of Senate House from Russell Square/Store Street and Tottenham Court Road
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3.11
Historically, it was the views northwards to the hills of Highgate and Hampstead that were
prized by the area’s residents and developers and this had an influence on the pattern and
nature of development. One example of this is the northern side of Gray’s Inn, deliberately left
open for that reason.
Building Typology and Form
3.12
A range of building types is evident across the conservation area although the predominant
building type is the townhouse in a terraced form. These are generally 3 or 4 storeys in height
although there are a number of examples of more modest 2 storey townhouses built for
workers. The townhouses generally have basements and attic storeys. Roof forms are
commonly defined by a parapet and giving a strong and often consistent roof line. There are
also mansards in some areas and butterfly roofs to the rear.
3.13
To the rear of the townhouses are frequently mews type properties built to stable horses and
carriages as well as the coachman of wealthy residents. They are typically modest two storey
buildings with large openings on the ground floor, with timber doors and smaller windows
above.
3.14
From the late 19th century mansion blocks began to be developed as a new form of housing,
mainly to house the urban poor, and there are a number of examples across the conservation
area including a particularly early mid 19th century example (Parnell House). These tend to be
multi-storey (4-8 storeys) and vary in their decoration, with bays and gables common.
3.15
Inns of Court at Grays Inn and Lincoln’s Inn fields have continued the tradition of developing in
a courtyard form as they have expanded reflecting their Medieval origins.
3.16
Shops and public houses are a feature of parts of Bloomsbury, generally forming part of or
having been inserted into the earlier terraces, reflecting the growth in commercial activity in
the area. There are also a number of notable examples of purpose built shops from different
eras at Woburn Walk (early 19th century) and Sicilian Avenue (early 20th century) but which
maintain the terraced form. Along the main arterial routes purpose-built offices began to be
developed from the late 19th/ turn of the 20th century, exploiting the technological advances of
steel frames and lifts that enabled taller multi-storey development of larger footprint blocks
particularly along the arterial routes.
3.17
Interspersed across the conservation area are set piece buildings, which are often landmarks
such as churches or other cultural buildings. University, hospital and institutional buildings
have tended to be larger footprint buildings of varying scales. The University College Hospital
is notable for its cruciform plan, a move away from earlier ‘pavilion‘hospital buildings.
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3.18
The largest of footprint building of all is the sculptural, stepping forms of the ‘megastructure’ of
the Brunswick Centre, which embodies the concept of separating pedestrians and cars
popular in the 1960s.
Prevalent and Traditional Building Materials
3.19
Yellow London stock brick is the predominant material used across the conservation area and
reflects the cheapest locally available material. Red brick is seen in some of the earlier brick
built developments of the Tudor and Georgian period and is common in late Victorian and
Edwardian buildings. Stone is also evident, cut into smooth blocks or used as cladding and is
most evident in the construction of churches and key buildings in institutional uses.
3.20
Red brick, stone and stucco are all used as contrasting detailing in the articulation of
frontages. The use of stucco being increasingly seen in the buildings dating from the early 18th
century first in the ground floor with rusticated stucco to mimic stone and from the 1820’s more
frequently across elevations.
3.21
From the late 19th century the use of glazed tiling, terracotta and faience began to be seen on
public houses and other buildings (Russell Square tube, Russell Hotel). During the second half
20th century the use of concrete became more frequent to varying degrees of success and
more recently glass and steel have been utilised to create a light, crisp contemporary
buildings.
Characteristic Details
3.22
Much of the detailing of elevations across a range of building types and periods within the
conservation area is classically influenced.
3.23
The terraced townhouses have a number of characteristic details in their design including the
repeated pattern of windows, reducing in height from the first floor upwards, signifying the
reducing significance with properties generally being three windows across. In key locations
the elevations were designed as unified compositions to give a grander, palatial scale.
Windows are mainly sliding sashes, which range from the earliest examples set close to the
face of the building and with thicker glazing bars to the more delicate division and recessed
sashes of the late Georgian and Regency period. Doorways may have arched openings, flat
roof timber porches on brackets or with pediments and or occasionally porticos. Other
common elevation details include segmented heads, rubbed brick arches, the use of stone
banding, delicate cast iron balconies and intricate fanlights. At roof level the individual
townhouses are terminated with chimney stacks and pots, and in some terraces the party wall
is expressed. Roods are mainly slate with some clay tile.
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3.24
There is a notable character created by the consistent use of cast iron railings along frontages
to separate the pavement from the basement lightwell. The details of the railings vary with an
interesting variety of classically derived motifs (including urns, trefoils, spears) and art
nouveau and art deco detailing on later buildings.
3.25
Later developments of the late 19th and early 20th centuries are more detailed with a greater
use of ornamentation and also gothic, Italianate, neo-Tudor, Baroque and arts and crafts
influenced detailing. Forms such as gables, turrets, oriels and bays were introduced to create
interest in the elevations and at eaves level.
3.26
The buildings of the later 20th century have detailing more influenced by the modern
movement, although some developments have adopted a more imitative, historicist approach.
Landscape and Public Realm
3.27
The notable characteristics of the squares and landscaped spaces are the mature trees within
them and the role they play in defining the spaces and street enclosure. Most of the squares
are defined by cast iron railings, some with ornate gates. Statues and drinking fountains are
often a feature. Relatively little of historic interest remains in the public realm, with most
remaining in the mews or privately maintained areas. Some of the more interesting and
common features include the decorative cast iron covers for coal holes, cobbles and granite
kerbs and historic bollards and gateposts.
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4.0
LOCATION AND SETTING
Location and Context
4.1
The Bloomsbury Conservation Area is located within central London, its southern boundary
around 750m north of the River Thames. It covers a large area (approximately 153 Ha)
extending north from Lincoln’s Inn Fields and High Holborn to Euston Road and west from
Gray’s Inn Road to Tottenham Court Road.
4.2
The conservation area is situated to the north and midway between the older historic areas of
the City of London and City of Westminster. The conservation area is located to the northern
periphery of the older areas of Soho and Covent Garden, which had been developed during
second half part of the 17th Century and now are a focus for leisure and entertainment. To the
south-east is Finsbury which extends into the financial district of the City. Clerkenwell lies to
the north-east. The great Victorian railway termini of Kings Cross, St Pancras and Euston line
Euston Road to the north. To the west is Fitzrovia extending to the boundary with
Westminster.
Topography
4.3
The areas relatively level topography reflects the area’s geographic location in the Thames
Basin. There is a gentle, almost imperceptible gradient down from Tottenham Court Road
(around 27mAOD) to Gray’s Inn Road (around 20m AOD). North to south the land is very
gently undulating.
4.4
On the eastern edge of the area, development has been built on the western side of the valley
of the River Fleet with a noticeable change in level in the streets to the east of Gray’s Inn
Road.
General Character and Plan Form
4.5
Bloomsbury is noted for its formally planned arrangement of streets and the contrasting leafy
squares. The urban morphology comprises a grid pattern streets generally aligned running
north-west to south-east and south-west to north-east, with subtle variations in the orientation
of the grid pattern.
4.6
A hierarchy of different scales of streets is evident across the area with clear differences
between the wider arterial routes which define and cross the conservation area, the grid of
primary, relatively spacious, intersecting streets, narrower secondary streets, rear mews and
narrow connecting lanes. The grain of streets is generally smaller in the older, southern part of
the conservation area where there are a larger number of narrower streets and lanes. The
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mews are a common theme across the area and provided rear service access to frontage
properties that fronted the main ‘blocks’ of development.
4.7
The main arterial routes tend to have larger scale buildings, addressing broader, busier
streets. With the exception of Euston Road, which was built as a by-pass in the 18th century,
these arterial routes follow older historic alignments of roads or tracks. There are three main
north-south routes all of which were widened around the turn of the 20th Century: Tottenham
Court Road (on the eastern edge), Southampton Row (approximately central) and Grays Inn
Road (towards the western edge). There are two major east-routes: Euston Road in the north
and High Holborn/New Oxford Street in the south (which follows in part the line of an old
Roman Road and was widened in the mid 19th century).
4.8
The squares are generally of rectangular form, although there are variations in scale and
shape. With the exception of Lincolns Inn Fields and Coram’s Fields they tend to be consistent
with the scale of the surrounding urban blocks. Their mature trees and gardens provide
variation within the intensely developed urban streets.
4.9
The townhouses arranged in terraces is the predominant form across the area, reflecting the
speculative, (mainly) residential development of the Stuart, Georgian, Regency and early
Victorian periods. This gives a distinctive, repeated grain to large parts of the area. Around the
Inns of Court, courtyard plan forms are the common type relating to this specialist use and a
remnant of their former uses as medieval manor houses or mansions that also had a courtyard
plan. Overlain on this pattern is the significant influence of a series of much large footprint
buildings associated with a number of large institutional uses (hospitals and universities) which
have shaped the development pattern over time. These include the site of the former
Foundling Hospital, The British Museum, the University of London, UCL, and Great Ormond
Street Hospital.
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5.0
HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT
Overview
5.1
The Bloomsbury Conservation Area covers an area of London that expanded rapidly
northwards during the period 1660-1840. Impetus for the initial development came from events
such as the plague of the Black Death (1665) and the Great Fire of London, which had
devastated the City and also the subsequent development of Covent Garden to the south,
which provided a model for development focussed around a square.
5.2
The following provides a brief overview of the development of the area based on the sources
acknowledged within the Bibliography. Historic maps are contained in Appendix 1.
Before 1660
5.3
High Holborn marks the route of a Roman Road leading to the Roman settlement of
Londinium (established in AD43) to the south east of the conservation area.
5.4
By the Middle Ages, London had not spread much beyond the walls of the Roman City, with a
ribbon of development along the Strand and Holborn linking the City to the Royal Court at
Westminster. The land within the conservation area was mainly in agricultural and pastoral
use and largely owned by a series of Manor Houses. These included Tames, in the vicinity of
Bloomsbury Square which was owned by the Blemund family (from whom Bloomsbury
(Blemundsbury) is believed to have taken its name), Tottenham Court, at the junction of
Euston Road and Hampstead Road, the Lay Manor of St Pancras owned by the monks of
London Charterhouse and two Manors along High Holborn which had become ‘hospitiums’ for
lawyers (Gray’s Inn and Lincoln’s Inn).
5.5
The manor of Bloomsbury, seized at the Dissolution, was assigned to the 1st Earl of
Southampton, Thomas Wriothesley Lord Chancellor of Henry VII. Land ownership elsewhere
became fragmented. The 4th Earl had obtained a royal license to build his residence,
Southampton House, in 1640, but due to the Civil War, when Parliament constructed
fortifications across Bloomsbury (along the line of Theobolds Road), it was not completed until
1660.
1660-1750
5.6
Widespread development began following the Restoration. Inspired by Covent Garden,
landowners saw the potential for new fashionable suburbs to be developed. Development
extended northwards from St Giles High Street to Great Russell Street and between Holborn
and Great Ormond Street. The extent of development by the mid 18th century can be seen on
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Rocque's map. Tottenham Court Road can be identified as can a track leading north from
Bedford House (the line of Woburn Place/ Southampton Row).
5.7
The 4th Earl of Southampton was granted a building license for the construction of
Bloomsbury Square (1661) to the south of Southampton House. Two terraces of houses
flanked its east and west sides with leases controlling their size. Development continued when
the estate passed to the Russell family (the Dukes of Bedford) by marriage (1669). Other
notable developments of this period included the formation of Great Russell Street (around
1670); the construction (twice) of Montague House which became the home of the British
Museum in 1759 following the bequest of Sir Hans Soane, Royal Physician, of his substantial
collection of antiquities to the Government; Thanet House (built 1680) and the distinctive
parish church of St George - built by Hawksmoor under the Fifty Churches Act following the
Great Fire. Smaller houses for artisans and workmen were provided in the hinterland along
with a market to the south-east of the church, (around Barter Street) although this was less
successful than the earlier Covent Garden and was subsequently abandoned. The range of
housing and other uses lead to the area becoming known as 'the little town'.
5.8
East of Southampton Row, Red Lion Square and Queen Square were built from the late 1680s
by speculator Nicholas Barbon - to the dismay of lawyers at Grays Inn who wanted to maintain
their open views. Further north, the Foundling Hospital for destitute children was built at the
end of Red Lion Lane in 1745, a fashionable charity of its day reflecting the poor living
conditions in the older areas of London.
1750- 1830
5.9
The later Georgian and Regency period saw the rapid expansion of development northwards
from Great Russell Street and Great Ormond Street towards to Euston Road as landowners
capitalised on demand from the expanding wealthy classes.
5.10
At the northern edge of the conservation area ‘The New Road’ (Euston Road) was built in
1756, to enable livestock to be moved to Smithfield and to facilitate troop movements without
passing through the crowded areas of Oxford Street and Holborn.
5.11
On the Bedford Estate, the 4th Duke had initiated the plans to capitalise on the demand for
land for building, although the land to the north of Bedford House was deliberately left open to
maintain his view of the hills of Hampstead and Highgate. Plans for Bedford Square, on the
western edge of the estate were conceived in the 1760's and following the Duke’s death in
1771 were advanced by his widow. Bedford Square was designed and built as a unified
architectural composition in 1775-6 (attributed to Thomas Leverton) and was built by a number
of builders with strict controls over the design of the elevations. It’s construction marked the
beginning systematic development of the land to the north. Unlike the earlier development, the
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new suburb was a grander, primarily residential area.
The uniformity of design of the
elevations on Gower Street was a result of the contractual controls over issues such as
dimensions, materials and surfacing imposed by the Bedford Estate. The surrounding streets
(Charlotte, Caroline, Bedford, Tavistock, Gower, Store and Chenies) developed in the
following years principally by Scott and Grews as well as Leverton, John Utterton
and Alexander Hendry. The form of the narrow fronted terraces reflects the developer’s desire
to minimise the frontage and maximise the number of dwellings that could be built in each
street.
5.12
By the turn of the 18th century, Bedford House was no longer desirable as a Duke's residence
and an estate plan was conceived which proposed the development of a dramatic succession
of streets and squares (Olsen) on the previously undeveloped fields to the north and largely
remains in the street pattern that exists today from Russell Square to Euston Road. Building
agreements ensured formal architectural compositions of imposing houses in uniform terraces.
James Burton, an architect and builder, was a key figure in the initial execution of this plan
between 1800 and 1817 with Humphrey Repton, a leading landscape architect designing
Russell Square gardens.
5.13
Montague Place and Keppel Street, developed 1800-1810 by builders including Hendry and
Thomas Lewis, were not considered so important as to dictate the designs of the elevations.
Concurrently, Alfred Place was being laid out by George Dance the Younger, surveyor for the
City of London Corporation as an area of large town houses for the upper end of the housing
market, experimenting with the use of the crescent form. Euston Square on the Southampton
estate was also laid out during the first years of the 19th century.
5.14
To the east of Southampton Row, the Foundling Hospital decided in 1790 to raise money by
releasing its spare land for house building, resulting in the twin squares of Brunswick and
Mecklenburgh (1808), and a grid of streets nearby (many also by James Burton). Other
smaller landowners followed suit and the Burial Ground of St Georges Bloomsbury, which had
once been remote from the edge of the city, was surrounded by development.
5.15
The current Cromer Street across the small Lucas Estate had begun to be developed in 1801
and infill from Tavistock Place to New Road on land owned by the Skinners had begun by
c1807 (again by James Burton) including Cartwright Gardens and a purpose built parade of
shops by Cubitt at Woburn Walk (1822). Development to the east of Gray’s Inn Road - Acton,
Frederick and Ampton Street occurred between 1801 and 1832, as well as the beginnings of
Wren and Calthorpe Street. Regent Square was laid out in 1822.
5.16
The pace of building had slowed significantly as a result of the Napoleonic war prompting a
rise in the cost of building materials and a scarcity of credit. The area between Euston Square
and the Russell Square consequently remained undeveloped until the 1820's when the period
LON\73249_1.DOC
14
of stagnation came to an end. During the 1820's the original Estate plan was altered by the
incorporation of additional squares - Gordon Square and the elongated Woburn and
Torrington Squares. Thomas Cubitt (famed for the development of Pimlico), took over as the
principal builder on the Bedford Estate completing Tavistock Square, Woburn Place, part of
Gordon Square and some of the neighbouring streets. Also active in the area was James Sim,
who in partnership with his two sons, also developed in the area around Gordon Street,
Endsleigh Street and Endsleigh Place. The Sims were also responsible for Torrington Place
(1821-25) and Woburn Square 1829.
5.17
The Parish church for St Pancras was built in 1819-22 to a competition winning Greek revival
design by William Inwood, inspired by his travels abroad.
1830- 1900
5.18
A depression in the building trade during the 1830s meant that residential building on the final
pieces of Bloomsbury was slow. Cubitt's ambitious plans for Gordon Square took a long time
to be realised. Immediately south of King’s Cross, Argyle Square, was developed on the site of
an unsuccessful garden and cultural venue and was completed in 1840. The completion of
Gordon Square in 1860 marked the substantial completion of development in the area and
although there have been subsequent redevelopments, the underlying pattern of streets and
squares remain largely intact today. Gordon Square itself was designed by the 6th Duke who
personally oversaw the layout and planting.
5.19
Owing to the significant increase in the population of the area a number of religious buildings
developed during the first half of the 19th century. The first, since demolished, was in Woburn
Square. This was followed The Bloomsbury Central Baptist Chapel (Shaftesbury Avenue) a
leading church in the Baptist movement, designed by John Gibson (1845-48) and the
cathedral-scaled Catholic Apostolic Church (now the Church of Christ the King) in Byng Place
(1853) which was only partly completed.
5.20
The decline in the desirability of Bloomsbury as a residential area with the construction of
fashionable villa developments in the north and west led to an increase in non-residential uses
during the 19th century. These included a number of major institutions including University
College, the British Museum and various specialist hospitals and educational uses around
Queen Square.
5.21
University College (UCL) had been established on land previously intended for a new square
and was acquired for the development of London's first University. William Wilkins’s
competition-winning, classically-styled college building first opened in 1829. University College
Hospital was built on the opposite side of Gower Street in 1833-36 but was replaced by the
present hospital, designed by Alfred Waterhouse in 1896-1905. This represented a move
LON\73249_1.DOC
15
away from the “pavilion” planning of hospitals and was the first to adopt an American model.
Wilkin’s building was expanded further with the development of the library to the west of the
main building. Northern and southern wings were added to by Hayer-Lewis (1870-81 and
1869-76 respectively). University Hall (now Dr William’s library) was built on Gordon Square in
1849 by TL Donaldson.
5.22
The British Museum collection had expanded to such an extent that by the mid 1820's it had
become evident that a major rebuilding programme would be required. Architect Robert
Smirke was employed and used innovative construction techniques in its execution using
stone cladding over a brick skin. He designed first an east wing (1823-26) then a west wing
(1831-34), and a north wing (1833-38) to form a quadrangle with Montague House. The
original House was then demolished to enable the construction of the imposing Central Hall
built in 1842-47. The domed central reading room was added by Sidney Smirke in 1852-57.
5.23
New Oxford Street was built in 1840 to ease congestion in St Giles High Street. This cut
through a notorious area of slums known as the Rookery. A wide range of shops, offices and
banks were then developed. The only housing provided for the displaced community was
Parnell House, Streatham Street, built in 1849 - one of the earliest flat blocks with open
access galleries in the courtyard. In addition, many 17th century terraced domestic properties
were either rebuilt or refaced in the mid-19th century. Examples can be seen in the area to the
south of Great Russell Street although some of the older properties survive.
5.24
Shops to serve the increased population also appeared during the 19th century. Many were
inserted into existing domestic terraces, examples of which are in evidence in Great Russell
Street and Museum Street. Along Tottenham Court Road much of the commercial
redevelopment reflected the tradition for furniture making in Fitrovia. Warehouses and light
industries and the extension of successful businesses entirely replaced the houses around
Alfred Place in the 19th century (Bailey).
5.25
With the decline in demand for residential properties, and the advent of the railways, hotel and
office redevelopments began to appear around the turn of the century. The most notable of
which is The Russell Hotel built in 1898 by Charles Fitzroy Doll
(the Bedford Estate's
architect). The specialist hospitals around Queens Square and Great Ormond Street which
had occupied former houses also began to be redeveloped towards the end of the 19th century
(e.g. Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (1851) National Hospital (1885), Italian Hospital
(1898) and St George’s Gardens was transformed into a garden.
5.26
Around Kings Cross and on the eastern fringes of the conservation area, various industries
had begun to develop in the vicinity of the Fleet; printing and metalwork being among the
area’s principal industries. Many of the mews areas and lesser streets had declined into slums
by the 1850s.
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1900- 1940
5.27
Major developments during the first half of the twentieth century were largely associated with
expansion of UCL in the area between Gower Street and Russell Square, the continuing
development of hospitals in the east of the conservation area and offices, hotels and shops
along the main arterial routes. Around Gray’s Inn, many houses became offices and barrister
chambers with trade unions attracted to the area south of King’s Cross.
5.28
Initially the University expanded on its original site and southwards along Gower Street.
Developing the frontage to Gower Place and forming another small quadrangle to the south of
Wilkins’s building in the first quarter of the 20th century. The Medical School (1907) designed
by Paul Waterhouse was inserted on the south side of University Street. Other buildings
included the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine built on Keppel Street (1924).
Malet Street was developed in 1906-7 on the line of Keppel Mews North. This can be seen on
the 1914 Ordnance Survey which also shows a cleared area between Montague Place and
Torrington Square in front of the new Edward VII galleries, built to house the still growing
British Museum collections. The newly formed British Museum Avenue is shown linking to
Torrington Square.
5.29
During the 1930's a new scale and aesthetic was adopted by the University (Pevsner). A
comprehensive scheme was prepared for its expansion by Charles Holden with a spine of
buildings extending from Montague Place to Byng Place and from Mallet Street to Woburn and
Russell Squares. However, owing to a shortage of funds, only the first phase of a scheme Senate House - was completed.
5.30
Southampton Row, became a major thoroughfare with the opening of Kingsway in 1905. A
number of major office and other developments followed as a result of the increased status of
this route. Victoria House (1921-34) infilled the block between Southampton Row and
Bloomsbury Square and Sicilian Avenue by RJ Worley (1905-10) and provided a
pedestrianised shopping street with residential accommodation above.
5.31
Hotel and office developments continued to proliferate throughout the area. The Ivanhoe and
Kenilworth hotels were built on Great Russell street in 1910 (Sir Thomas Rhind) and the
National Hotel formed on Bedford Way (1917). Offices for the London, Edinburgh and
Glasgow Assurance Company on Melton Street (1906-8). Other notable buildings constructed
during this period include Friends House on Euston Road, Lutyen’s WYCA Headquarters
1930-1 (now the Central Club Hotel) on Great Russell Street, Shaftesbury Theatre 1911 and
the Dominion Theatre (1928-9).
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17
1940- present day
5.32
University developments continued to replace the older fabric of Bloomsbury in addition to
reconstruction following wartime bomb damage. Among the areas worst affected were the
western end of Theobald’s Road, High Holborn, Brunswick Square, Red Lion Square and the
area south of King’s Cross. The areas of greatest destruction underwent major
redevelopment, with social housing in some places, offices in others and replacement
buildings around Gray’s Inn south square.
5.33
London University continued to develop its precinct to the north of Senate House between
1955 and the 1960s with the School for Oriental and African Studies, the engineering
department in Byng Place (1961), Birkbeck College (1951), the Students Union (1947-55), and
the Wharberg Institute (1958). There was also redevelopment occurring in the vicinity of
Mecklenburgh and Brunswick Squares.
5.34
Development also progressed southwards along Gower Street with the Biological Sciences
building (1964) replacing the earlier terraced housing. In the block between Malet Street and
Gower Street, the Vanburgh Theatre replaced an earlier bomb damaged building. To the east,
the Bloomsbury Theatre was developed facing Gordon Street (1964) on the bomb-damaged
site of the memorial hall (a former church) and the Chemistry building was built on the
opposite side of Gordon Street (1969). Tavistock Square was severely affected by bombing,
which destroyed much of the original fabric. The square had been home to amongst others
James Burton, Charles Dickens and Leonard and Virginia Woolf.
5.35
UCL extended further south-eastwards with the development of the Institute of Law and
Education, on Bedford Way a sculptural modern building designed by Denys Lasdun which
replaced Christ Church. This was originally planned in 1965 although only part of the original
scheme was built (completed 1976). At a similar time, the Brunswick Centre was developed
(1969-72 but never completed) to the design of Patrick Hodgkinson as a mixed residential and
retail scheme, based on ideas of separating pedestrians from vehicles.
5.36
Whilst Euston Square was redeveloped in the late 1960's as part of the station redevelopment
(only the two lodges of the original station buildings survive) the slightly later plans for the
expansion of the British Museum to create the British Library were thwarted by substantial
local opposition. Pressure for redevelopment has continued over the last 20 years and a
series modern interventions developed particularly by the institutions and to provide housing
and more recently a pressure for some conversions of offices back to a residential use.
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6.0
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Introduction
6.1
Owing to the size and complexity of the Conservation Area, it has been sub-divided into a
series of character areas that generally share common characteristics to assist in defining
those features that contribute to the area’s special interest.
6.2
The common characteristics of the sub areas and their constituent elements are broadly a
function of a combination of the following: land use, density of development, scale and style of
buildings, construction materials, period of development and influence of vegetation and open
spaces. The assessment of the character and appearance of the area is based on the present
day situation. Interest in an area may consequently derive from the combined effect of
subsequent developments that replaced the earlier fabric as well from the original remaining
buildings and street pattern.
6.3
6.4
The following sub-areas have been defined and are shown on the plan in Appendix 2:
1.
Euston Road
2.
Gordon Square/ Woburn Square/Byng Place
3.
London University /British Museum
4.
Alfred Place/Tottenham Court Road
5.
Bedford Square/Gower Street
6.
Bloomsbury Square/Russell Square/Tavistock Square
7.
The Museum Street Area
8.
New Oxford Street/High Holborn/Southampton Row
9.
Hanway Street/Hanway Place
10.
Gray’s Inn And Lincoln’s Inn Fields
11.
Great James Street
12.
Queens Square/Lamb’s Conduit Street
13.
Coram’s Fields/Brunswick Centre
14.
Cartwright Gardens/Argyle Square
15.
Calthorpe/Frederick Street
The townscape and character of Bloomsbury results from an interplay of factors that have
affected its evolution over time. Consequently, there are exceptions and examples of buildings
LON\73249_1.DOC
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and spaces that differ from the overriding character of the area and locations where the
change in character from one area to the next may not always be distinct. There are
instances, for example where buildings of a similar style, scale and period are located within
different sub areas but the overriding character alters as a result of the streets and spaces
they define. Where buildings adjoin different sub-areas and there are longer views, the
contribution to both areas is important.
Sub Area 1: Euston Road
6.5
This sub area is characterised by large scale institutional buildings that line this major
thoroughfare. It is a wide, heavily-trafficked street with broad pavements and mature street
trees. Generally speaking, the buildings, have an architectural theme of classically-influenced
details and proportions. The majority were constructed in first half of the 20th century and
replaced the domestic terraces and the southern half of Euston Square that had been
developed during the previous century. The predominant materials in the area are red brick,
Portland stone and stucco.
6.6
Within the area there are two open spaces of differing scales and characters: Euston Square
and the gardens east of Friends House.
6.7
Euston Road -The buildings along Euston Road are generally four-five storeys in height. The
Wellcome Institute on the south side and Nos.194-200 Euston Road and Nos.1-9 Melton
Street (Listed Grade II) form a group of classically-styled Portland stone buildings that signal
the transition into the Conservation Area along Euston Road travelling east.
6.8
The Greek revival church of St Pancras (listed Grade I) is an important landmark at the
junction of Euston Road and Upper Woburn Place and the trees within its curtilage and its
notable tiered spire are important elements in views along Euston Road. On the north side of
the road, the five storey red brick and Portland stone Fire Station is also a prominent landmark
and is seen as part of a group together with the four storey bow-fronted houses to the north.
Designed by HFT Cooper of the Fire Brigade Branch of the London County Council Architects’
Department (listed Grade II), these are only remaining indication of the former domestic scale
of the earlier buildings surrounding Euston Square.
6.9
Euston Square was part of the planned development of the Bloomsbury area - originally a
large square space bisected by Euston Road. The remaining, northern, half of the square
lacks a strong sense of enclosure and identity. This is caused by the impact of traffic on the
perimeter roads that isolate the square from the surrounding buildings, the scale of the
surrounding buildings in relation to the scale of the space and the lack of consistency in their
appearance. The space itself is predominantly grassed with mature trees and railings defining
the frontage and subdivided by a central access to the station. Travelling along Euston Road
LON\73249_1.DOC
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two halves of the space are unified by the trees along the frontage and the listed Portland
stone lodges flanking the central access. These are the sole remnants of the previous
Victorian station buildings. The listed war memorial (1921) provides a focal element in front of
the station.
6.10
Friends House (listed), Nos.161-167 and a late 20th century office building form part of the
frontage to Euston Road to the south of the square. The main entrance to Friends House is
expressed as a three storey Doric colonnade. Both buildings are constructed in red brick with
Portland stone detailing and are four storeys in height. However, Nos.161-167 which reads as
a single block, has a larger scale than Friends House owing to the taller storey heights and its
mansard roof with small attic windows aligning with the windows below. A small, formal garden
to the east of Friends House provides an attractive, comparatively peaceful space, defined by
Portland stone boundary walls and decorative entrance gates. It provides a pedestrian link
through to Endsleigh Gardens and views of the more domestic scale of the buildings on the
south side of Endsleigh Place (within sub area 2). The mature tree within this space is an
important element in the street along Euston Road.
Sub Area 2: Gordon/Woburn Square/ Byng Place
6.11
The streets and adjoining squares within this sub-area are generally quieter than Tavistock
Square and a transition travelling along Endsleigh Place, Gordon Place and Endsleigh Street
can be noted. Fine four storey early 19th century terraces predominate within this area. These
were originally developed speculatively, by Thomas Cubitt and James Sims & Partners for
domestic use, during the first half of the 19th century. Cubitt introduced new squares into the
hierarchy of streets and spaces envisaged in the earlier 1795 plan for the Bedford Estate.
Despite the replacement of areas of original development along these streets as a result of the
expansion of the University, the scale of the streets and spaces has generally been preserved.
Although buildings of the same style and period can be seen on the western side of Tavistock
Square, these have been excluded from this character area as a result of their relationship to
Tavistock Square (sub area 6).
6.12
All of the terraces are four storeys with a basement level set back from the pavement edge
with railings to the frontage. They have vertically-proportioned windows with the tallest at first
floor level and diminishing in size on successive upper floors.
The original windows are
recessed sashes subdivided into small panes by slender glazing bars. The hierarchy of sub
division is an important feature of such terraces.
They are built in yellow stock brick
predominantly with a rusticated stucco base, decorative stucco banding at parapet level and
decorative iron balconies at first floor level although the treatment varies from street to street.
The elevations of Cubitt’s terraces were designed as an entity. Careful consideration was also
given to the treatment of gables where these abutted the street. The prevailing materials within
this area are a yellow stock brick, render and stone.
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6.13
Although, initially developed as a residential area, the properties are now largely occupied by
UCL or are in office use with the exception of some housing and a hostel on Endsleigh
Gardens and Endsleigh Street.
6.14
Looking north, the west side of Endsleigh Street continues this consistent frontage of Cubitt’s
development. The gable of Passfield Hall turns the corner and provides interest with the
decorative inset panel and arched doorway in a projecting porch. The listed terrace Nos.13-23
cons. (converted to a hall of residence) has similar detailing but has Corinthian capitals and a
pitched roof with small dormer windows. On the opposite side the character and quality of the
street varies but has a generally consistent building line, parapet line, building line and railings
to basement level. Tavistock Court returns around the corner and in terms of scale and
materials is related to the 20th century buildings facing Tavistock Square. It is joined by a three
storey link to Winston House - an uninspiring 20th century residential block. This is considered
to be neutral in streetscape terms owing to its height and materials being consistent with
adjoining 1825 development. The four (listed) properties adjacent to Winston House are part
of a Cubitt terrace, and largely echo the details of the terrace opposite with the exception of
the treatment of the doorways and porches. To the north, Nos.1 & 2 is a modern insertion of
four storeys with projecting, arched concrete panels above which is of appropriate height and
massing and a neutral element in the street. The new development of Leslie Foster House has
a balanced elevation that successfully terminates the view to the north.
6.15
Endsleigh Place is a short, consistent street with the listed Passfield Hall (by Cubitt) on the
north side. This has a symmetrical façade and a similar architectural vocabulary to the terrace
fronting Tavistock Square. This sense of balance is reflected on the opposite side in the
symmetrical relationship between the two, three bay gables and the garden wall with
pedimented central entrance.
6.16
There is a consistent terraced frontage to the east side of Taviton Street (Nos.1-12) and
remainder of a terrace opposite (Nos.20-24). Both by Cubitt, these listed terraces are similar to
those on Tavistock Square but have slightly different detailing. The windows of Nos.1-12 and
23-24 have stone surrounds and there are no pilasters on the projecting elements. To the
south of No.20 is the interesting brick façade of the award winning Institute of Slavonic and
Eastern European Studies. No.14 to the south, a five storey brick-faced wing extending to the
rear of the Institute of Archaeology is of generally appropriate scale and materials and is
neural in streetscape terms. The view to the north along the street is terminated by the
relatively small scale southern elevation of Friends House.
6.17
Endsleigh Gardens: Owing to interrelationship between both sides of the street, the northern
side is considered within this sub area, notwithstanding that it has been defined as part of the
Euston Road Area. It is a relatively quiet street enclosed on ether side by predominantly four
storey buildings. The south side has a general consistency in terms of the use of materials, the
LON\73249_1.DOC
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alignment of buildings behind frontage railings, rustication of the ground floors, verticallyproportioned openings and a strong and consistent eaves line. The Euston Plaza Hotel turns
the corner onto Upper Woburn Place. This listed Cubitt terrace has been converted to a hotel
and has similar details to the block on Endsleigh Street and Tavistock Square. This adjoins
Bentham House a notable Portland stone University building with projecting towers at either
end and corner entrance that addresses the junction with Endsleigh Street.
6.18
The block comprising Nos. 9-14 is a notable, early 19th century terrace with porticoes at
ground level, and large quoins to the gables and projections at either end. There are stone
surrounds to the windows on first and second floors and a cornice above the second floor
windows, a feature common to Friends House. An additional storey has been added at roof
level to Nos. 9-12, which detracts from symmetry of the original composition. Wates House is
a 1960/70s insertion between Taviton Street and Gordon Street. Owing to the massing of the
block, the vertical proportions of its brick elevations and its continuation of the building line it is
considered to be a neutral element within the area.
6.19
Gordon Square has a variety of building types surrounding it which mainly originate from the
19th Century, they have a similar scale and exhibit a variety of revival styles. It is, all the same,
a strong unifying element with a particular character that provides a setting for the buildings
around its edges. The mature trees around the square are very significant components in the
streetscape, filtering and framing views across and around the space and providing enclosure
to the central, public grassed area. The streets on the north, east and west sides are narrower
and quieter than the southern boundary - a busy cross-route.
6.20
The terraced eastern side (Grade II) steps up from four to five storeys. The length of time that
it took to complete development around the square is evident in the stylistic variation in the
frontage, with the northern end (developed by Cubitt) almost identical to the early 19th century
terrace on Endsleigh Street and whereas the taller, mid 19th century townhouses (Nos.47-53)
have greater decoration but consistency in terms of materials - yellow brick above a rusticated
stucco base, the frontage basement to the railings, vertically-proportioned windows and
banding to define the upper storey.
6.21
The seven storey, 1960s block of a Institute of Archaeology provides a significantly greater
degree of enclosure to the northern side and is consequently a dominant element.
6.22
The buildings on the western side (all listed) have a greater degree of variety in architectural
style including a classically-influenced symmetrically fronted listed mid-19th century stucco
terrace (Nos.16-25), a simpler early 19th century brick and stucco terraced property (No.26) at
the northern end and the Tudor style red brick and stucco former University Hall (now Dr
Williams Library), built in 1848 by TL Donaldson, whose canted bay provides an interesting
feature above the entrance and the mid 19th century, gothic influenced Cloisters and the
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eastern end of the church at the southern end. The Grade I listed Church of Christ the King,
designed by JR Brandon in Early English style, is constructed in a yellow Bath stone and
forms distinctive a landmark feature that marks the transition from Gordon Square to Byng
Place. The southern end has considerable variety in roofscape and decoration.
6.23
The square is, in part, open on its southern side providing a visual link into the smaller, more
intimately scaled Woburn Square. Nos. 55-59 is a listed Cubitt Terrace dating from the early
19th century. To the east, is the Warburg Institute, a five storey block in a pale red brick with
1950s block. This has vertically-proportioned fenestration, stone banding and balconies at first
floor level, consistent with the adjacent terrace-and banding to the parapet of the upper floor of
the main elevation. Above this, the elevation steps back. Views to the west along the southern
side of the square are dominated by the unattractive flank of the Engineering Building.
6.24
On either side of Woburn Square are two, four storey terraces with basements built by James
Sim and Sons around 1829. These have simple, yellow brick, two bay frontages, a simple
stone band at first floor coinciding with railings to balconies and semi-circular doorways with
fanlights with radiating glazing bars. The square is defined by railings and has areas of dense
landscaping and mature trees around its perimeter with a children’s play area at the southern
end. The scale of the trees and the density of landscaping add to the enclosure and intimacy
of the Square which differs from the larger Gordon Square.
6.25
The northern side of Byng Place is defined by the side of the University Church. Looking west
along the southern side of Gordon Square the view is terminated by Courtauld House, built by
Cubitt in 1832. It is four storeys and faced in stucco with a rusticated ground floor and
presents a symmetrical façade to the northern side of Torrington Place. Seen to the north in
this view is the yellow brick and stucco gable end of 35 Torrington Place, also by Cubitt.
Defining the eastern side of Byng Place is the western elevation of the Warburg Institute,
which terminates the view along Torrington Place. The heavy traffic and unattractive frontage
to Torrington Square detract from this space, which has considerable potential for
improvement.
6.26
To the south of the Warburg Institute, facing Torrington Square is a terrace of listed
townhouses by James Sim and Sons. These are of an identical design to those fronting
Woburn Square except that the ground floor has been painted white. Adjoining these is the
Clore Management Centre a sensitively designed, contextual building built in the 1990s.
Unlike Woburn Square, Torrington Square is predominantly grassed and open and has
potential for enhancement.
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Sub Area 3: London University/British Museum
6.27
This is an area dominated by large scale institutional buildings including some notable
examples of 20th century design. The original street pattern is largely retained although
expansion has removed the earlier fabric of smaller scale terraces. Buildings tend to maintain
and define street frontages with have long, generally consistent elevations. There are a series
of pedestrianised spaces and courtyards of varying scales between the buildings giving a
quieter, but still active campus feel that contrasts with the busy streets.
The Northern University Area
6.28
The area to the north of Torrington Place, contains a concentration of University buildings that
generally have long frontage wings that address the street. Many have classical influenced
detailing and a repeated pattern of vertically proportioned fenestration although there is a
variety in the age and style. Buildings are constructed in a variety of materials with stone
predominating along the Gower Street and Gower Place, and brick with decorative terracotta
and some stone detailing within the courtyard areas to the rear of the Gower Street frontage.
Heights vary depending on location but there is generally a consistency along frontages.
6.29
The most notable building is the Grade I listed University College, which comprises the central
element with its dome and pedimented portico, built in 1827-29 to a design by William Wilkins,
the rear 1849 library extension and the wings that form the quadrangle. The two storey wings
that form northern and southern edges of the quadrangle were added in the 1870s and 1980s.
These have central, two storey curved bays that enhance the symmetry and balance of the
space. The wings along the Gower Street frontage enclose the western edge of the space are
three storeys and were built 1891-1913 (and extended in 1984). These blocks, and the
entrance lodges, frame views of the dome and from Gower Street. The central space has
some grassed areas with a couple of mature trees that soften the formality of the enclosing
buildings. The observatories (listed separately) to either side were added in 1905-7.
6.30
No.136 Gower Street, a three storey stone-faced building, continues the frontage around the
corner onto Gower Place maintaining a continuous cornice at parapet level. The building
splays to address the corner stepping up slightly in height to accentuate the end of the block.
No.23 Gower Place is a two storey, listed, late 19th century shop and warehouse building with
whose decorative red brick and terracotta frontage has considerable interest both in its
architecture and the retained shopfront and adjacent archway (with full height, verticallyboarded timber gates) at ground level. The adjacent listed Chemistry Laboratory defines the
frontage to Gower Place. It continues the scale, style and materials of the frontage to Gower
Street. The scale steps up significantly at the eastern end of Gower Place. A five storey
modern block with glazed curtain wall frontage joins this building to the substantial mass of the
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Students Union block fronting Gordon Street, built in red brick with stone banding to provide
visual interest. This has seven main storeys with a double row of dormers within the roof.
6.31
Along Gordon Street, none of the original fabric remains and much of the frontage consists of
post-WWII redevelopment. The predominant building height is five storeys giving a significant
degree of enclosure to the street. The slender concrete columns are an attractive feature of
the Bloomsbury Theatre façade, however the bulk of the overhanging projection and the large
blank return elevation are relatively dominant in the street. The site to the south, which
currently provides parking and construction compound, forms a gap in the frontage and
emphasises the bulk of the adjacent theatre.
6.32
From Malet Place an access road leads through a decorative gateway to a series of spaces
and courtyards that link through to the north western corner of Gordon Square. Along the
eastern side of the access is a long two and three storey wing built in a yellow brick with
consistent terracotta detailing and repeated bays of windows. This forms a group with the two
similarly detailed blocks to the west which are accessed under an arch and the two storey
building opposite at the northern end of the access road. The block has an interesting ground
floor ‘shopfront’ feature with timber cornicing, corbels and pilasters.
6.33
Passing through an archway under the Institute of Physiology the access opens out into a
rectangular space recently filled partly by a new Neuro-Molecular Laboratories building (HLM
architects). The northern edge of this area is formed by the relatively plain, brick, southern
side of the south wing of the main college building. The elevation of the Institute of Physiology,
which forms the southern edge of the space, is of interest with a curved staircase either side of
the archway and the entrance to the building above, emphasised by the two storey arched
window and arched pediment. The rear of the Anatomy Building which fronts Gower Street is
plain brickwork, with unsightly ducting and is of no merit. The concrete, pre-fabricated
temporary buildings also detract from this area.
6.34
The rear of the listed terrace forming the west side of Gordon Square can be seen from the
south-eastern corner of the new Katz building, which encloses a small informal space between
the University buildings and the terrace. There are a number of substantial mature trees within
this area.
The Southern University Area
6.35
The area to the south of Torrington Place consists of predominantly 20th century
redevelopments that extended the University use. There are a number of notable modern
buildings within this area. The area north of Montague Place was cleared in the early 20th
century in preparation for a comprehensive redevelopment scheme. An initial scheme by
Lutyens was not pursued and was superseded by Holden’s spinal masterplan, of which
LON\73249_1.DOC
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Senate House was the first phase. Within this area mature street trees and trees within the
generally linear or rectangular open spaces are an important part of the character of the area.
6.36
Senate House forms a prominent landmark within the surrounding streets and its bold,
stepped tower can be seen in a variety of longer views including the vista along Store Street,
looking south from Torrington Place across Torrington Square and from Russell Square.
Faced in Portland stone, it was constructed in 1932-38 and has vertically proportioned window
openings with recessed frames. Its predominantly four storey frontage is set back from Malet
Street behind tall metal railings with a line of mature trees which are significant elements in the
street.
6.37
Senate House is seen as part of a group along Keppel Street and Malet Street with the School
of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (also listed) which has four main storeys, consistent
materials and window openings. It is designed in a stripped classical style with interesting
detailing (including gilded insects on the balconies). These buildings provide enclosure to the
sunken garden to the rear of the terrace fronting Bedford Square. Within the boundary wall the
original gates and stone gateposts are retained on the east side with the parish boundary
marker on the north side. The mature trees and landscaping within the gardens contribute to
the leafy character of Malet Street and enhance the setting of the School of Hygiene and
Tropical Medicine in views from Montague Place.
6.38
Malet Street The line of mature trees continues along Malet Street. The buildings to the north
form a group of generally consistent height (between 5-7 storeys) and materials,
predominately red brick with horizontal banding. These are large blocks of differing ages and
styles but have general consistency in their vertically proportioned window openings and
contrasting stone banding. Birkbeck College and the Students Union provide a unified frontage
to the street in their elevational treatment and set back on the upper floors. (These are of
similar age and appearance to the SOAS building and the Warburg Institute on Byng Place).
College Hall echoes their strong parapet line and decreased emphasis on the upper floors.
Warwickshire House makes less of a contribution and has gable projections and small dormer
windows within a mansard roof. The Vanburgh Theatre is a bold, modern development with
terracotta panels set within a steel frame and curved glazing above the entrance, and is a
notable addition to the street. Dilke House is an attractive five storey stone building with a
rusticated base, projecting cornice bands and vertically proportioned windows.
6.39
The Engineering Tower can be seen from the north end of the street and in views from the
south side of Gordon Square. This early 1960s, 11 storey block is of a significantly larger scale
than the surrounding buildings including the decorative façade of the book shop at the junction
with Gower Street and the pair of Cubitt terraces to the east (both four storeys) and as a result
of its prominence detracts from the character of the area. The set back from the frontage and
the trees within the street to an extent mitigate its impact on Torrington Place and enables
LON\73249_1.DOC
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views of the Church on Byng Place. However the layout and frontage is inconsistent with the
characteristic pattern of buildings relative to the street.
6.40
The western side of Torrington Square is formed by the rear of Birkbeck College and the
Students Union. The cumulative impact of extensions, has been to an extent harmonised by a
new glazed frontage. On the eastern side, the Clore Management Centre provides an
appropriate transitional element between the 1820 terraces along the east side of the square
and the collection of mid 20th century buildings to the south.
6.41
The School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) building addresses Torrington Square and
the wide pedestrianised area, lined with trees, provided to link Malet Street with Thornhaugh
Street. The main part is listed and forms a consistent frontage to the north side of this route
together with the southern end of the Birkbeck College being of similar materials (pale red
brick with stone banding), and height and with the repeated rhythm of vertically proportioned
window openings. The curved eastern end of the block signals the entrance to the campus
from Thornaugh Street. The northern side of Senate House forms the southern edge of this
route and is of similar scale and height. To the east of Senate House, there is a grassed area
that presents an opportunity to complete the frontage to this route. Any new development
would have to be sensitively designed to fit into its context, considering in particular its
relationship to Senate House, the SOAS building and the vista along Torrington Square. The
Brunei Gallery (Nicholas Hare Architects), which turns the corner onto Thornaugh Street, is a
well-designed 1990s building that provides enclosure to the eastern end of the pedestrian link
and adjoins the terraced frontage to Russell Square.
6.42
The rear library extension to the SOAS building and the Institute of Education (listed) are seen
as a group in views from Torrington Square, Woburn Square and Thornaugh Street. Both by
Denys Lasdun, they are stark concrete, strongly modelled structures with horizontal glazing
and a distinctive, simple, sculptural forms. While radical interventions in the Bloomsbury
townscape, the Lasdun buildings are now part of the established character of this area as well
as being striking examples of the Brutalism movement. At the rear the open spaces adjacent
to the building provides a green link between Woburn Square and Thornaugh Street.
6.43
The character and scale changes dramatically at the southern end of Woburn Square from the
domestic scale of the terraces to the large scale of the university buildings. There is a
landscaped pedestrian link to Torrington Square and Thornaugh Street, which provides a
landscape setting for the buildings.
University College Hospital
6.44
The hospital buildings on the west side of Gower Street form a group that is predominantly red
brick. Both have frontages to University Street and Huntley Street. The hospital and the
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Medical School (including the nursing home frontage to University Street) are listed. The four
storey Alfred Waterhouse designed hospital is a landmark building along Gower Street with its
prominent corner towers. The cruciform plan of the hospital building differentiates it from the
otherwise long elevational planes that define the street and provides additional emphasis. The
medical building opposite was designed by his son Paul and built in 1905 in an Edwardian
Baroque style. It has a rusticated stone base, projecting central and end elements. The
frontage has four principal storeys with a double line of dormer windows within a mansard
roof. An additional storey has been added above the pediment at the junction of University and
Huntley Streets that disrupts the overall symmetry of the building at roof level.
6.45
To the south of the 1905 medical school in Huntley Street is a new education and medical
research building for UCL to the design of Grimshaw. This has an archway through to Chenies
Mews. There is a significant change in scale at this point in the street where the building
adjoins the late 18th century three storey terraces.
The British Museum
6.46
This important Grade I listed building continues the patterns of larger institutional buildings and
associated scale of development south from the University precinct. Its principal frontage
addresses Great Russell Street with a secondary frontage to Montague Place. The side of the
museum also has a frontage to Montague Street. Foster and Partners renowned Great Court
scheme, links Montague Place to Great Russell Street continuing the history of the museum’s
evolution and development. The museum was built in stages as the collections expanded. The
present main building, designed by Sir Robert Smirke in a Greek Revival style, was started in
1823. Its two storey frontage has two projecting wings with an Ionic colonnade to the full width
of the building with a central pediment at the entrance. Set back from the frontage behind tall
railings, it forms an impressive landmark along Great Russell Street. The line of mature trees
along the frontage enhance the views from the street.
6.47
The Edward VII galleries, built in 1906-14, face Montague Place. These Grade I listed
Edwardian Beaux Arts style buildings are constructed in Portland stone and marble with
vertically proportioned metal-framed windows. The similarities with the materials and detailing
of Senate House lend consistency to the street. The symmetrical frontage is two storeys with a
semi basement and has a line of ionic columns supporting an entablature with projecting
cornice and a pair of lion statues flanking the entrance. The building is set back from the street
with a slightly raised forecourt area.
Sub Area 4: Alfred Place/Tottenham Court Road
6.48
This is an area of late 19th and early 20th century retail and warehousing development which
replaced the earlier terraces, and was developed by George Dance the Younger for the
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Corporation of London. The original street pattern is retained with a formal arrangement of
broad boulevard with crescents at either end - a suggestion of its former grandeur. The ground
floors of the majority of the blocks are in retail use and the remainder offices with the
exception of the café on the corner of Alfred Place and Chenies Street. The predominance of
furniture-related outlets reflects the tradition of furniture making within the north Soho area.
6.49
The Tottenham Court Road frontage is four to five storeys in height and has shopfronts at
street level. On the whole, the buildings within this area share a consistency of scale and
massing. The façades are constructed in a variety of materials and embellished with a range
of decorative motifs to give visual interest and a distinctive character to their public side which
contributes to the interest of the upper floors and roodscape. North of the junction with
Chenies Street is the listed Glen House decorated in a mannerist style, which continues its
frontage to Chenies Street and North Crescent. To the south, No. 209 has a large copper
dome with weather vane on the corner, which provides a focal point along Tottenham Court
Road. It is built in yellow brick with decorative stone detailing, has vertically-proportioned
window openings and cornice at parapet level that align with those in the adjacent five storey
block at Nos. 210-212. The two blocks at Nos. 217-219 and Nos. 220-226 are both red brick
with contrasting detailing. Nos. 217-219 have a symmetrical frontage with gables to either end
and a central canted stucco bay. Nos. 220-226 is a four storey block that creates a vertical
rhythm of projecting columns reflecting the structural frame. This is counteracted by the
horizontal emphasis of the first floor glazing, the decorative red brick spandrel panels under
the second floor windows, and the red brick upper floor. The elevational treatment is continued
along the frontage to Store Street and Alfred Place. The two small roof level turrets feature in
views along Tottenham Court Road. To the south of Store Street, Nos. 227-233 continues the
use of red brick along Tottenham Court Road. This four storey building, which is heavily
ornamented with baroque, terracotta detailing also has a frontage to Store Street and South
Crescent. The public house (Nos.234-236) to the south, at the junction with Bayley Street
marks the boundary of the Conservation Area. This has yellow brick upper floors with stucco
banding and decoration, and steps up to address the corner at parapet level.
6.50
The frontage to North Crescent is dominated by Eisenhower Centre - this concrete structure
provides a link to deep level tunnels originally built as an air raid shelter and intended to form
part of a high speed underground train network. The buildings fronting north Crescent have
concave elevations that follow the line of the Crescent and similar heights. The continuation of
the frontage railings around the crescent gives consistency at ground floor level and the
mature tree at the junction with Chenies Crescent is an important element in the street.
Adjacent to Glen House, is the four storey listed Minerva House, built in Portland stone in
1912. The symmetrical elevation has three curved bays above three large ground floor
windows and a central arch on the upper floors. The adjacent former Telephone Exchange is a
four storey building with a basement and attic floor set in a mansard. Built in red brick with
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stone banding and window surrounds and is also of a symmetrical design with arched
windows in the third floor at either end that echo those in Minerva House. Adjoining is No. 11,
a five storey red brick warehouse building of a similar overall height. It has a cornice at first
and fourth floor levels and ground floor windows with a central arch. Both these unlisted
buildings contribute to the character of this part of the Conservation Area.
6.51
The western side of Alfred Place, which forms the rear to a number of the units facing
Tottenham Court Road, is generally much plainer in character than the frontages. These are
built in a yellow brick and have ground floor shop fronts. Although differing in height and
detailing they share a number of characteristics. Nos.12-17 have vertically-proportioned
windows on the upper floors, contrasting stucco cornice line at parapet level and banding at
sill level to give visual interest. Nos.12-14 has red brick heads to the windows that are
repeated both in Nos. 1-7 and 8-10. No. 8-10 is notable for its Dutch gables, arched upper
floor windows and large flat arches at ground level. Nos.1-7 have a white painted cornice to
the ground floor units and an arch detail over the doors. These buildings are all considered to
contribute positively to the character of the area.
6.52
The eastern side is more varied in character with the buildings stepping down in size from
north to south. The eastern side is dominated by Nos.19-30, a seven storey modern building
with a ground floor shopfront sub-divided by sculptural columns above which rises a smooth
façade of glass and black marble cladding. The impact of the building is reduced by the line of
semi-mature trees along the frontage. Owing to the variation in the heights of buildings and
architectural style in this area, the common features of ground floor shopfronts and vertically
proportioned windows, as well as the mitigation provide by the reflectivity of its elevational
treatment and the frontage trees, this block is considered to neutral in terms of the streetscape
of Alfred Place. To the south is a 1960s concrete block (Nos.31-32) of similar scale with a
projecting five storey entrance block aligning with the predominant building line and the main
seven storey element set back from the street. It is constructed from concrete with glazed
curtain-walling to the frontage and alternating horizontal bands of brickwork and glazing to the
main element. This is also considered to be a neutral element in the street as is Nos. 33-34, a
five storey concrete framed block.
6.53
Nos.35-37 is a more traditional red brick warehouse building with contrasting white banding
and an archway through to the rear. This is seen as a part of a group with No.19-21a Store
Street that marks the corner with a decorative stucco pediment. Both blocks are of similar
height and materials, have strong parapet lines with small dormer windows to an attic level,
continue the pattern of ground floor shopfronts and contribute to the character of the area.
6.54
Along the frontage to South Crescent, a cobbled semi-circular forecourt area, is a line of
mature trees. The buildings that front it have concave elevations that follow the crescent and,
although of varying scales and materials, are unified by their relationship to the space and the
LON\73249_1.DOC
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symmetrical designs of their frontages. Nos.10-24 is red brick with terracotta detailing that
continues from the Tottenham Court Road frontage. Staffordshire House is a six storey
building which has a plainer red brick elevation with a central gable. Its relationship to Alfred
Place respects the formality of the street pattern. The Building Centre is a smaller four storey,
stone building which is also symmetrical and has granite paving to the frontage. All are
considered to contribute to the character of the area.
Sub Area 5: Bedford Square/Gower Street
6.55
This is a predominantly intact and extremely notable area of terraced housing built
speculatively by a number of different builders in the late 18th century to a plan devised by the
Bedford Estate. Also included within the area are the smaller scale mews to the rear of the
square which serviced the frontage units and the terrace on the south side of Store Street,
which although a later redevelopment is of a similar scale and grain.
6.56
The terraced frontages are characterised by the following common architectural themes and
features. They are three or four storeys in height with a basement below street level with iron
railings to the frontage and small dormer windows at roof level. The blocks maintain a
continuous parapet line at roof level and banding at first floor level coinciding with decorative
iron balconies to the first floor windows. The plots within terraces are consistent widths
containing three windows of vertical proportions with generally rubbed brick heads. The
window frames are recessed, sliding sashes, sub-divided into small panes by slender glazing
bars. The doorways generally have semi circular arches and fanlights over with decorative
radiating glazing bars.
Bedford Square
6.57
Bedford Square is one of the most significant and complete examples of a Georgian (1775)
Square remaining in London. Its national importance is highlighted by the grade I listing of all
the properties fronting the square. It is also notable that many original streetscape elements
remain (also listed) and that the gardens are on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special
Historic Interest in Greater London (Grade II*).
6.58
The square was part of a planned development of the Bedford Estate that included a series of
interlinked streets and spaces and is a major landmark both along Gower Street and within the
Bloomsbury area. Despite the impact of traffic along Gower Street the Square remains a
relatively intimate space with the degree of enclosure enhanced by the large mature trees and
landscaping within the oval gardens. This central, private space is defined by iron railings with
gates under wrought iron arches. Although initially a residential square it is now entirely
occupied by offices.
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6.59
The terraces are three storeys with a basement and attic level. The front elevations are
particularly notable as they were designed as a whole to give a sense of architectural unity
and harmony to the square. The elevations are constructed of yellow stock brick with tuck
pointing and have a central stucco pedimented element and a rusticated base. The doorways
have intermittent voussiors of Coade stone (a type of artificial stone) and faces on the key
stones. Along Bayley Street a terrace of 5 units (listed) extends the northern side of the
square.
Gower Street (including Bloomsbury Street)
6.60
Although the eastern side of Gower Street has been largely replaced by institutional
developments associated with the expansion of the University there is a strong
interrelationship between both sides of the street. This is consequently described within this
sub area.
6.61
Along the west side of Gower Street is a significant stretch of listed terraced houses, between
Bedford Square and the University Medical School. Development progressed northwards from
Bedford Square between 1780 and 1820. This side of the street is characterised by the
repeated pattern of the fenestration and detailing, the generally consistent height of the 3
storey blocks (with the exceptions of Nos.25, 39, 91, 103 which are four stories), the frontage
railings, chimney stacks and pots. All the terraces are a yellow brick generally with tuck
pointing, have a stucco cornice at parapet level and a band at first floor level. The only notable
variation is in the treatment of the doorways.
6.62
Whereas the street was formerly residential it now consists of a combination of University
residences, other educational uses, hotels and offices.
6.63
Along the east side there is greater variation, with some trees within the pavement providing
relief to the built form. However, there is consistency in the repeated pattern of vertically
proportioned fenestration, and long blocks of consistent height, building line and parapet line
along the street. Between University College and Torrington Place there is a five storey (with a
recessed 6th attic storey) university building with a plain, stone frontage with classical styling
and a rusticated base (1959-64). The highly ornate listed, red brick and stone Gothic
bookshop (Charles Fitzroy Doll) on the corner of Torrington Place is in stark contrast and a
notable landmark along the street. Adjoining to the south Nos. 74-80 is a 1780 terrace of four
properties (listed) similar to those on the west side. Next is a group of larger scale five -six
storey blocks built in red brick with stone bases and detailing. These are vertically
proportioned with classically influenced detailing. South of these is the west elevation of the
listed London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which faces Keppel Street. Built in
1926-28, this five storey block is in a stripped down classical style and constructed in Portland
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stone. Nos. 2-20 and 11 Bedford Square are an intact 1780 terrace, which runs between
Keppel Street and Montague Place.
6.64
Along the east side of Bloomsbury Street continuing south from the east side of Bedford
Square the terraced frontage continues to the junction with Great Russell Street.
The Mews
6.65
The mews fronting Bedford Avenue have an architecturally consistent frontage constructed in
red brick with contrasting stone and terracotta detailing. The line of mature trees along the
frontage further enhances this side of the street.
6.66
Gower Mews retains much of its essential mews character, being a narrow, shared surface
fronted by small scale, 2-3 storey blocks with ground level garaging. Gower Mews Mansions
on the north side dates from the 1930s and is built in red brick with white banding and a strong
horizontal emphasis to the windows.
To the south, is a consistent two storey mews terrace
with ground level garages and small, vertically proportioned first floor windows and small
dormer windows in the mansard.
6.67
Morwell Street is a relatively narrow, quiet street fronted by two – three storey development of
variable quality. Only the north side is within the Conservation Area.. The original mews
properties are listed. There is general consistency in the street with the use of yellow brick, the
strong parapet lines. Nos. 22-25 are all considered to contribute positively to the character of
the street.
6.68
Chenies Mews retains its cobbled surfacing and is enclosed by a combination of two, three &
four storey buildings including a number of warehouse buildings and several late 20th century
developments. The pattern of large ground floor openings with smaller window openings
above, common to mews streets, has been reflected in the redevelopment schemes. It is in a
combination of residential, warehousing and laboratory uses associated with the hospital.
Store Street
6.69
Nos.28-43 Store Street is a consistent terrace of four storeys built in a dark red brick with a
generally consistent shopfront design at ground level. The unity of the terrace is further
reinforced by a consistent stone parapet along which there are upstands in the centre and
towards both ends of the block emphasised by pilasters and banding. The windows have red
rubbed brick heads with a contrasting keystone. These are in a variety of small independent
retail and café uses and appear to be residential above. The trees within the street give a
leafy feel and provide additional enclosure to the street. The College of Law on the north side
of the block is outside the Conservation Area.
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Huntley Street
6.70
Along Huntley Street there is a consistent row of late 18th century listed terraces of two bay
plot widths. They are three storeys with basements protected by railings and a small central
dormer window within the mansard roof. Nos.46-68 is constructed in a multi-coloured stock
brick with a contrasting band at first floor sill level and key stone blocks. No.70 is rendered
with a rusticated base and window surrounds added in the 19th century.
6.71
Gordon and Woburn Mansions are either side of the junction with Torrington Place. They are
turn of the century mansion blocks with five main storeys and two attic levels. These are of
significantly different scale and character to the terraces, with the blank gable adjacent being
prominent in views along the street. These blocks relate in scale to the institutional buildings at
the northern end of the street (area 4), and the prevailing scale along Torrington Place. They
are both red brick with terracotta ornamentation, projecting bays, gables and turrets that
provide visual interest along Torrington Place. Also of note on Torrington Place is The
Marlborough public house
Sub Area 6: Bloomsbury Square/ Russell Square/Tavistock Square
6.72
This is an area of largely three and four storey terraces (late 18th and 19th century) surrounding
and joining the sequence of linked spaces of Bloomsbury, Russell and Tavistock Squares. A
series of vistas links the spaces and streets. Moving through the area there is consistency in
the transition between the enclosed, urban nature of the streets and the more open landscape
dominated squares. In places the original terraces have been replaced with 20th century
developments of a generally larger scale - this is particularly noticeable around Tavistock
Square, Bedford Way and Upper Woburn Place.
6.73
Like the Bedford Square/Gower Street sub-area there is strong consistency throughout the
area in the architectural vocabulary of the original terraces. They are either three or four
storeys in height with a basement below street level with iron railings to the frontage and small
dormer windows set back at roof level. The blocks have banding at first floor level coinciding
with decorative iron balconies to the first floor windows. The plots within terraces are
consistent widths containing three windows of vertical proportions with generally rubbed brick
heads. The window frames are recessed, sliding sashes, sub-divided into small panes by
slender glazing bars. The doorways generally have semi circular arches and fanlights over
with decorative radiating glazing bars. The architectural and historical importance of these
terraces is reflected in their listing.
The Bloomsbury Square Area
6.74
Southampton Place leads into Bloomsbury Square from High Holborn and has three and four
storey three bay mid-late 18th century frontages in multi-coloured brick with stucco banding at
LON\73249_1.DOC
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parapet and first floor level. Designed by a well-known architect, Henry Flitcroft, these are
notable grade II* listed properties. Nos.19-22 have later 19th century alterations. No.19 has a
classically-ornamented stucco frontage with an archway through to Barter Street.
6.75
Barter Street is a quiet narrow street of mews scale to the rear that was once the market
serving Lord Southampton’s ‘little town’. Along the south side is a terrace of three early 19th
century shops (listed) built in a multi-coloured stock brick with stucco detailing. On the north
side is a two storey 19th century listed stucco building with Italianate ornamentation, and on
the corner is a four storey red brick building with a stucco base of the same scale as the
Bloomsbury Way frontage.
This has ground floor shop windows, vertically-proportioned
openings on the upper floors and is consistent with the character of the area. Views to the
south-west are dominated by the 12 storey Holborn Tower which is of incompatible scale with
the surrounding buildings and is unremarkable architecturally.
6.76
Bloomsbury Square is the oldest in Bloomsbury, laid out in the late 17th century by Lord
Southampton to the south of Southampton (later Bedford) House, and inspired by Inigo Jones
development of the piazza at Covent Garden. With the exception of Victoria House, which
defines the eastern edge, the buildings surrounding the square and leading to it along
Southampton Place are all terraced. The variety of architectural styles reflects the differing
dates of their construction. Nevertheless, there is generally consistency in heights, being four
storey to the north and west sides of the square and three storey to the south and along
Southampton Place. The buildings are also predominantly constructed in yellow brick with
stucco decoration or are entirely stucco faced. Window openings are vertically proportioned
diminishing in size above the large first floor openings, with recessed sliding sashes
subdivided into small panes by slender glazing bars.
The majority of properties have
basements below street level with iron railings to the frontage.
6.77
The square is a unifying element, and, owing to its relatively small size and relatively narrow
peripheral streets, has a strong relationship to the buildings defining it. Enclosed by railings,
the popular public space has a periphery of mature trees and landscaping and central grassed
and paved areas and is a relatively peaceful space. The trees define both the streets and
square framing views around the perimeter, filtering the views across the space and providing
an attractive setting for the surrounding buildings.
6.78
Looking north, there are two blocks of listed brick terraces by Burton, dated 1800 – 1805,
which frame the vista along Bedford Place (Nos.18-21 and 22-27). Flanking these are two
stucco-faced blocks of the same heights. These are of 17th century origin but refronted in the
mid 19th century (Nos.1-5 Bloomsbury Place and 74-77 Great Russell Street) and have a more
decorative, classically-influenced elevational treatment. The gable of No. 77 has an intricate
metal-work veranda at first floor level that adds visual interest in views along Great Russell
Street.
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6.79
Along the western side of the square there is greater variation in building widths, heights and
elevational treatment.
At the northern corner, No.17, (the listed Royal Pharmaceutical
Society) is a stucco-faced block of 17th century origin that was remodelled by Nash in 1778.
This block has a symmetrical frontage and classically-influenced detailing and is a distinctive
feature at the junction with Great Russell Street. No.15 has a rusticated stucco base, red brick
band to the first and second floor with a stucco attic storey with decorative panels between the
windows. Although this later insertion is of a different style it is considered to be a positive
contributor. Nos.9-14 are stucco-faced terraced properties that form a group within the street,
having consistent three bay wide frontages, a continuous cornice detail at parapet level and
rusticated base. The original 17th century houses were refronted in an Italianate style in the
mid 18th century (with the exception of No.14). Nos.7&8 are two unlisted terraces in yellow
brick with stone detailing that continue a relatively consistent parapet line. These continue the
three bay pattern of fenestration and vertically-proportioned openings and contribute to the
overall varied character of the terrace. At the southern end of the western side, Nos.5 & 6 are
a pair of notable (Grade II* listed) houses designed by Henry Flitcroft in 1744. These are
three storeys with a dormer level and constructed in yellow brick with simple contrasting
stucco banding.
No.5 turns the corner with a frontage to Bloomsbury Way that forms a
symmetrical façade with No.23. Victoria House (listed) on the eastern side is a large scale, six
storey listed office block with ground level shop units to the Southampton Row frontage. Built
in 1926-32, it is constructed in Portland stone with a rusticated base and classical detailing. It
dominates the open space being significantly taller and larger scale than the development on
the other sides and provides a transition between the busy Southampton Row frontage and
the quieter square.
6.80
The south side of Bloomsbury Square is formed by blocks of predominantly four storey, three
bay terraces either side of Southampton Place. To the east, is a mid 18th century listed
terrace of three in yellow brick with 19th century stucco ornamentation. On the west side,
Nos.1,46 & 47 are a mid 19th century symmetrical group in a yellow brick with rusticated
stucco ground floor. Nos.20&21 Bloomsbury Way are a similar pair of terraced properties.
Between these groups, Nos.2-4a are two red brick late 19th century buildings with a more
decorative elevational treatment.
Nos.2-3 are listed and have Ashlar dressings, whereas
Nos.4&4a have terracotta ornamentation.
6.81
Montague Street links the south-east corner of Russell Square to Great Russell Street, and is
a consistent terraced street all of which is listed. The former houses have been combined and
are in hotel uses. The strong visual consistency derives from the repeated identical frontages.
The properties are four storeys with a continuous parapet and are built in a yellow brick with a
continuous band at third floor sill level and a rusticated stucco ground and basement level.
Each is three bays with a recessed, semi-circular arched doorway and iron balconies to first
floor windows. The terrace on the west side of the street is a continuation of the west side of
LON\73249_1.DOC
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Russell Square. In the centre of the east side are some decorative iron gates (1899) to the
access leading into the rear garden areas which are important to the setting of the terraces.
No.29a at the southern end of the block is a listed two storey villa (1841) with attached lodge,
set back from the street behind a tall frontage wall and built in consistent materials. The
modern extension that links the block to the Great Russell Street frontage is of consistent
scale with vertically proportioned openings and is neutral in streetscape terms.
6.82
Bedford Place links the centre of Bloomsbury Square with the centre of Russell Square. This
relationship is reinforced by the statues, erected in 1816 within the Squares, that can be seen
in views along the street. Burton built the two symmetrical terraces of 20 houses lining either
side of the street in 1815.
All are listed and are identical in design to the terraces on
Montague Street. Similarly the street is now predominated by hotel uses, which is reflected by
the infilling of doorways on the eastern side which detracts from the consistency of the
terraced frontage.
6.83
Russell Square is the largest of Bloomsbury’s squares and formed part of the phase of
development that followed the construction around Bedford Square and utilised the land that
had formerly been reserved to maintain the view north from Bedford House. It was originally
laid out by Humphrey Repton, a leading landscape architect in the early 19th century. Although
extensively replanted in 1959 it is listed grade II in the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
The space is defined by railings but separated from the surrounding development by busy
roads, which divide the space from the frontages. Mature trees and peripheral landscaping to
some extent mitigate the impact of traffic to an extent within the space and are important
elements within the surrounding streets that soften and filter views across the square. In the
north-western corner of the square, located on a traffic island is a timber-clad Cabmen’s
Shelter (listed), an interesting historical remnant dating from 1897.
6.84
The eight storey Russell Hotel, by Charles Fitzroy Doll (listed) is a prominent landmark on the
east side of the square, but isolated from the space by the busy road. It is an ornate red brick
building with terracotta dressings with visual interest at roof level given by the corner turrets
and gabled bays. James Burton built the original terraces at the start of the 19th century.
These are four storeys in height with a basement and an attic level and are built in a yellow
stock brick with a rusticated stucco base. Additional terracotta decoration was added in around
1898 following the construction of the Russell Hotel. Examples of these terraces remain on the
north side (Nos.21-24) and south side (Nos.44-49 and 52-60). On the west side Nos. 25-29
and 38-43 are listed but lack the later ornamentation. No.30, the Institute of Chemistry by Sir
JJ Burnett (1913), is also listed.
6.85
There are a number of 20th century insertions around the square. On the north side, the
southern end of Lasdun’s Institute of Education (listed) has a bronze-coloured glazed curtain
wall elevation to the square. This steps up to the east to an eight storey pale red brick block on
LON\73249_1.DOC
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a stone plinth that continues the scale and materials of the hotel development along the east
side of Bedford Way. On the south side Nos.50-51 have been replaced by a modern block
with a glazed façade that is of a similar scale to the terraces. These buildings are considered
to be neutral in terms of the character of the square.
The Tavistock Square Area
6.86
North of Russell Square there are a greater number of large scale 20th century buildings and
a prevalence of hotel uses. These have largely replaced the earlier four storey terraces and
are generally between five to eight storeys in height. There is a consistency in the use of
materials; red brick with a contrasting stone base and detailing which reflects the façade of the
BMA.
6.87
Bedford Way leads north from Russell Square to the western side of Tavistock Square. The
substantial mass and repetitive elevation of the national hotel dominates the eastern side of
the road and provides a relatively unattractive edge dominated by the central coach turning
and drop off area. This detracts from the character of the area. The eastern side of the road is
defined by the strongly modelled elevation of the Institute of Education and Law which is
punctuated by the staircases and lecture room ‘pods’ at roof level. This listed building is an
interesting example of the Brutalism movement. In both directions the trees Russell and
Tavistock Squares are important elements in the views.
6.88
Tavistock Square is a pleasant public square, and a strong unifying element that enables the
transition from the large scale and massing of the eight storey hotel and mansion block
developments to the smaller more domestic scale of the terraces along the eastern side. The
mature trees along the edge of the space are important elements in the street scene, visible
along Upper Woburn Place. They also filter views across the space. The predominantly
grassed square has a formal layout with central statue (listed) and iron railings defining the
boundary. There is also a statue in the south east corner that provides a local landmark.
6.89
The grade II* listed terrace fronting Tavistock Square provides an impressive unified frontage
to the west side of the square. The façade is symmetrical, and subdivides into units of three
bays with slight projections to the ends and centre to add emphasis to the block. These
projections have Ionic pilasters between the first floor balconies linked by a cornice line above
the second floor windows across the whole block.
6.90
The frontage to the British Medical Association is the most notable building overlooking the
eastern side of the square. This fine red brick building is an important feature in the street and
terminates the view looking east from Endsleigh Place and the north side of Gordon Square
which is framed on the south side by trees within the square. This five storey building has a
symmetrical composition about the central arched entrance, with two set backs above three
LON\73249_1.DOC
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storeys that help to break down the mass of the building in views along the street. The
entrance leads through to a peaceful, private courtyard. To the south, Lynton and Travis
House are substantial 20th century blocks built in red brick with a stone base and central
entrance. Both have seven main storeys on the frontage, a consistent parapet level and
basement level set behind a low stone frontage wall and are seen as a group.
6.91
With the exception of the BMA and Woburn House on the north side of the square, the
buildings facing the north, east and south sides Tavistock Square are unremarkable
architecturally. However they are consistent with the overriding character of Tavistock Square
and Upper Woburn Place in terms of their scale, massing and materials.
6.92
The eastern side of Tavistock Square continues north along upper Woburn Place. Along both
sides of Upper Woburn Place and to the north, east and south sides of Tavistock Square there
is strong consistency in the scale and massing of the buildings and the use of red brick with a
contrasting stone or stucco base and minimal banding. Many have mansard roofs above their
parapet line and small attic windows. Window openings are mostly vertically-proportioned.
(These 20th century buildings replaced the earlier four storey terraces).
6.93
Central House and the New Ambassadors Hotel to the south of St Pancras Church have a
consistent parapet line (although five and six storeys respectively) and similar massing and
materials. Both contribute to the character of the street although the Ambassadors Hotel has
some prominent plant that detracts from the roofscape. The adjacent County Hotel steps up to
eight storeys and is a more bulky block with less visual interest that adjoins the BMA. On the
west side of Upper Woburn Place is the listed Euston Plaza Hotel - a remnant of the former
fabric of the area. This building also has a stucco base but is of a smaller scale, four storeys in
height and relates to the scale of development along the south side of Endsleigh Gardens. It is
built in yellow stock brick with decorative stucco pilasters and banding and has frontage
railings around the well to basement level. To the south, the Endsleigh Court Hotel is a
significant step up in height to 8/9 storeys exposing its plain brick gable. This together forms a
group together with similarly scaled blocks on the opposite side of the road that provide a
significant degree of enclosure to this end of Upper Woburn Place.
Sub Area 7: The Museum Street Area
6.94
This area has a very distinctive grain and street pattern consisting of small blocks subdivided
by a grid of streets. This area originally developed in the second half of the 17th century and
retains its earlier street pattern. During the mid 19th Century many of the terraces were rebuilt
and refronted. The variations in character within the area relate to the hierarchy of streets of
differing widths, uses and levels of pedestrian and vehicular use.
LON\73249_1.DOC
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6.95
The predominant building form is the terrace although there are a number of areas where
larger scale mansion blocks and hotels have been introduced. The terraces have consistent
plot widths of two or three bays and many have ground floor shopfronts. They are generally
three or four storeys in height and have continuous parapet lines. The windows above ground
level are vertically proportioned diminishing in size on successive upper floors with recessed
sash windows. The late 18th and early 19th century terraces are brick faced, often with rubbed
brick window heads and simple contrasting stucco banding. Those built and refaced in the
mid 19th century tend to have a more decorative treatment being stucco faced with classically
influenced ornamentation such as rusticated quoins, window surrounds, cornicing and
balaustrading at parapet level. Many of the 19th century shopfront features are retained
providing interest at street level.
6.96
The late 19th and early 20th century mansion blocks and hotels also tend to have a decorative
elevational treatment often in brick with contrasting detailing. These have a greater level of
variation at roof level introducing elements such as gables, turrets and domes to give visual
interest and focal points within the street. The elevations are given a vertical emphasis by the
use of projecting bays. Many of the frontages tend to have ground level shopfronts. There is
also a notable concentration of specialist bookshops that adds to the character of the area.
6.97
The character differs within different street types.
The Principal Roads
6.98
Great Russell Street is a relatively busy route for both vehicles and pedestrians that differs in
character along its length. It is predominantly fronted by four storey terraces interspersed with
some larger mansion block developments.
6.99
On the northern side, between Montague Street and Bloomsbury Street, the street is
dominated by the British Museum (sub-area 4). Its imposing classical frontage is set back from
the road. Its forecourt lends more open character to this part of the street and is a focus of
activity. Mature trees and railings defining the frontage and enable views across to the main
entrance. At the junction with Bloomsbury Street is a group of three late 18th/early 19th century
listed terraces built in darkened stock brick (washed with soot) with a stucco cornice to the
parapet. These have three main storeys and have three bay wide frontages. Nos. 90 & 91
have late 19th century shopfronts whereas No. 89 has a rusticated stucco base and arched
doorway. They are seen together with No.92/93, the adjacent mid 19th century, four storey
block built in yellow brick with stone detailing that turns the corner. This is notable for the
curved glazing to the upper floor windows and has an attractive shopfront. The group provides
enclosure to the street at the junction.
LON\73249_1.DOC
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6.100
The south side of Great Russell Street is largely four storey terraces stepping up to a group of
five storey mansion blocks between Bury Place and Museum Street. To the east of Bury Place
(Nos. 66-71) is a four storey stucco-faced terrace built by Nash (listed grade II and dated
1777). These have a basement with frontage railings and simple decoration of the facades
including a plain band at first floor sill level, a projecting cornice below the upper floor windows
(67-70) and Ionic Pilasters to the doors. To the east of Museum Street is a group of five
storey mansion blocks in brick with decorative elevational treatment. Museum Mansions is
built in yellow brick with classically influenced stucco detailing with horizontal banding. Nos.
50-61 continue the banding but are constructed in red brick with contrasting stone decoration.
This group have a strong vertical emphasis in the projecting bays below roof level gables and
have arched openings at street level. Nos. 52-58 have decorative frontage railings. Nos. 62 &
63 have notable shopfronts.
6.101
Adjoining this block is The Museum public house. This is seen as part of a distinctive group of
four storey mid 19th century stucco terraces with ground floor shops by William Finch Hill, that
extend along Great Russell Street and Museum Street. The group also includes Nos.43-48
Great Russell Street, Nos.37-47 and 27-34 Museum Street. They have a continuous parapet,
some with balustrading, rusticated quoins and a bracketed cornice below the fourth floor
windows. Nos.43-49 Great Russell Street have a symmetrical frontage to the street stepping
up in height at each corner. This frontage is made more prominent as a consequence of the
slight bend in the alignment of Great Russell Street. The two corner blocks and Nos.27-41
Museum Street have arched window at first floor level with roundels above. Many have
interesting shopfronts with late 19th century detailing (of particular note are Nos.29-33 and 37,
38). However there are instances of unsympathetic signage that detract from the prevailing
character of the street.
6.102
Nos.39-42 Great Russell Street is a block of four terraces of the same design that are similar
in terms of scale, materials and detailing. In this block, the windows facing Great Russell
Street are grouped in threes and there is strong horizontal banding. Nos.35-38 are also of
similar scale and materials with classically influenced detailing. The consistency in height,
massing and materials and elevational treatment lends a very distinctive and consistent mid
19th century character to this part of Great Russell Street.
6.103
Bloomsbury Street is a relatively wide, busy route. To the south of the junction with Great
Russell Street the buildings are a variety of ages, architectural styles and materials. No.10
(listed), south of the junction with Streatham Street is yellow brick with a stucco ground floor
and red rubbed brick heads and decorative iron balconies. This is seen as part of a group of
consistent height with Nos.2-8 a recent redevelopment - that continues the pattern of three
bays of vertically proportioned windows with horizontal stucco banding that ties in with the
stucco terrace on the New Oxford Street frontage. To the north of Streatham Street is a five
LON\73249_1.DOC
42
storey, late 20th century redevelopment that reflects the architectural treatment of the
Edwardian hotel building opposite with its red brick and gables but has rather clumsy detailing.
6.104
New Oxford Street is a relatively wide street developed in 1889 to ease congestion on St Giles
High Street. Within this sub area, the street is characterised by the stucco terraces with
classically influenced detailing of the upper floors and ground level shopfronts and all
contribute to the character of the area. Along the north side, Nos.63-42 are a terrace of
consistent design with a continuous parapet, arched windows, projecting cornice at parapet
and third floor sill level and rusticated pilasters. Nos.44-56 New Oxford Street are similar but
have been extended at roof level and have a simpler elevational treatment. Common themes
however include the use of horizontal banding and cornices, rusticated pilasters and arched
windows.
6.105
Along Bloomsbury Way, the most notable building is the Grade I listed St George’s Church.
Built 1716-1731 by Nicholas Hawksmoor, its unusual spire topped with a statue of George I
acts as a local landmark. The frontage, a Corinthian portico topped by a pediment, is set back
from Bloomsbury Way and reached via a flight of steps. Either side of the church are two,
large red brick buildings with horizontal stone banding dating from the late 19th or early 20th
century. Tavistock Chambers, to the west is a five storey mansion block with ground floor
shops. The Kingsley Hotel to the east is six storeys and has a prominent corner turret, a
notable element in views along Bloomsbury Way. Between the hotel and Bury Place are two
yellow brick terraces (Nos.34-35) and a public house that form a distinctive group within the
street. These have strong parapet lines and vertically proportioned openings above the ground
floor shops and bar. The pub has stucco decoration and turns the corner onto Bury Place. The
shopfronts are of interest although No. 35 is in a poor state of repair.
The North-south routes
6.106
Bury Place, Museum Street and Coptic Street connect Great Russell Street to Bloomsbury
Way and New Oxford Street. They are characterised by a combination of shopping and
residential uses and are slightly narrower and quieter in nature than the principal roads.
Looking north, important views of the British Museum can be gained along these streets.
6.107
Museum Street The northern end has considerable visual consistency deriving from the four
storey stucco-faced mid 19th century terraces that continue on Great Russell Street. Tavistock
Chambers turns the corner onto Bloomsbury Way and is seen together with Nos. 23-26. Both
are later red brick mansion blocks with residential uses above ground floor shops. They
continue the theme of strong parapet lines, vertically proportioned fenestration, horizontal
banding and rustication along the street. Nos.30-34 is a late 20th century block that is
sympathetic in terms of its scale, massing, fenestration pattern and detailing and consistent
with the four storey stucco terraces that predominate along the New Oxford Street frontage.
LON\73249_1.DOC
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6.108
Along Bury Place, the buildings range from three to five storeys and are constructed in a range
of architectural styles and utilise traditional brick and stucco facing materials. Within the street
there is general consistency in the use of vertically proportioned windows, banding and strong
parapet lines. Between Galen Place and Great Russell Street is an interesting group of largely
consistent stucco-faced terraces of three and four storeys with classically influenced detailing.
These are seen together with Nos.17-19, (four storeys) opposite. Museum Mansions is slightly
taller, being five storeys in height but continues the theme of classically-influenced detailing. At
the southern end of the street, Museum and Russell Chambers are also five storeys in height,
and form a pair red brick mansion blocks flanking the street. Both have contrasting horizontal
banding and four storey vertical bays. To the south of Museum Chambers is a terraced
property with a yellow brick frontage. This forms a group with the side of the public house
which has its frontage to Bloomsbury Way. Each has similar horizontal banding and a three
bay wide frontage to the street.
6.109
Coptic Street is a narrow street with significant enclosure provided by the predominantly four
storey buildings along it. Looking north the British Museum terminates the view. Building forms
and materials vary along the street. At the southern end the four storey stucco terraces
fronting New Oxford Street turn the corner. On the eastern side of the street these adjoin a
1990s residential block of modern design and sympathetic scale and material by Avanti
Architects. Opposite, Nos.5-10 comprise a relatively consistent 19th century terrace with
simple yellow brick facades with rubbed brick heads to the windows and a strong parapet line.
Evidence of earlier shopfronts remains in Nos.7-10 which retain console brackets and fascias.
No. 30 at the junction with Great Russell Street is a four storey former dairy (1888) built in
yellow brick which has a more decorative elevational treatment with contrasting red brick and
stucco detailing. It forms an interesting feature in the street and terminates the view along
Streatham Street. It has distinctive wide, arched windows at ground level and roof level gables
and chimneys. To the north of this block Nos.32 & 33 form a distinctive group with simple
yellow brick facades with a continuous stucco band. No.32 is three storey and has an archway
through to a rear yard and ground level shopfront. No.33 is a four storey terraced house with
central doorway with scroll details. Flanking the junction with Streatham Street are a pair of
five storey red brick late 19th century mansion blocks with identical details. These have a
rusticated base, red sandstone banding, cornicing and keystones and a continuous parapet.
The Back Streets
6.110
Little Russell Street, Gilbert Place, Streatham Street and Willoughby Street) are quiet, narrow
back streets with generally residential uses that are enclosed by a variety of two-five storey
buildings. The character of these streets derives from the combination of materials, ages and
styles of the buildings. Facing materials are a combination of yellow brick, red brick and
stucco.
LON\73249_1.DOC
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6.111
Along Little Russell Street, between Bury Place and Museum Street all the buildings contribute
to the character of the area. Along the northern side development consists of predominantly
four storey terraces. Nos.18-21 are listed, early 18th century four storey terraced houses with
mid 19th century stucco frontages of the same design. They have classically influenced details
including window surrounds, bracketed hoods over the doors, horizontal banding and
cornicing. These are seen as part of a group with Nos.16 & 17 to the east and Nos.22-42 to
the west which are also stucco-faced, have similar detailing but are slightly taller. No.27 is a
prominent element in the street, it is a late 19th century, three storey Queen Anne style school
building, built in yellow brick with contrasting red brick and stone dressings and decoration and
a central gable. Nos.28-30 is a single five storey 20th century block (1930s) with a simple,
symmetrical multicoloured brick frontage incorporating some classical motifs including the
pediments over the doors, central pilasters and horizontal banding.
6.112
Along the south side of Little Russell Street the scale varies significantly. Museum Chambers
turns the corner from Bury Place. This is a five storey red brick late 19th century block with
vertical bays and stucco detailing. This adjoins rear of the Kingsley Hotel on the Bloomsbury
Way frontage. The rear of St George’s Church is set back from the street with a small area
surfaced in Yorkstone paving within which are two mature trees. These are significants
element in the street, reducing the impact of the scale of the rear of the hotel. To the west of
the church is a two storey block adjoining a three storey listed stucco-faced house, originally
part of a terrace and dating from the early 17th century.
6.113
Along Streatham Street, east of Bloomsbury Street there is significant variation at roof level
and in materials. There are, however consistent frontage railings and a couple of small trees
within the street. Along the south side, the gable of No.10 Bloomsbury Street adjoins a three
storey rear extension that is consistent with the Bloomsbury Street frontage and a stuccofaced archway with pediment over that terminates the view along Willoughby Street. On both
sides of the road at the eastern end of the street are a pair of late 19th century flat blocks built
in red brick. These have roof level gables and chimneys and form a group with 30 Coptic
Street, which terminates the view to the east. The views of the rear access balconies and cast
iron columns of the northern block can be gained from Willoughby Street. Nos.1 & 3
Willoughby Street are a pair of four storey terraces with simple elevational treatment and a
continuous parapet adjoining a two storey rear projection to No.39 Great Russell Street that
provide a significant degree of enclosure to the street.
6.114
The north side of Gilbert Place is formed by the plain brick rear elevations of the mansion
blocks fronting Great Russell Street. The rear of Nos.52-57 has been rebuilt in recent years
and is neutral in townscape terms. Along the southern side the buildings are a combination of
predominantly 19th century warehouse buildings all of which contribute the character of the
street. Nos.8-10 & 14 are four storey stucco-faced blocks with vertically proportioned
openings, classically influenced detailing and have a uniform parapet height. Nos.11-13 is a
LON\73249_1.DOC
45
single two storey block with a long horizontal window at first floor level and large square
openings at ground floor. The five storey rear of Nos.28-30 Little Russell Street has large
window openings and is in a glazed white brick.
The Yards
6.115
Pied Bull Yard and Galen Place are two small, interconnected courtyard areas with a footpath
link between Bury Place and Bloomsbury Square. Of particular note is the rear of Nos.66-71
Great Russell Street, which forms the north side of Pied Bull Yard. This is a successful late
20th century redevelopment scheme that has created an attractive, small scale shopping
environment.
6.116
Streatham Place is a small, quiet yard accessed under an archway from the New Oxford
Street frontage. This is enclosed on the south side by a two storey yellow brick warehouse
building. The rear of the flat blocks fronting Streatham Street enclose the space to the north
enabling views of the cast iron columns and decorative iron balconies of their rear access
galleries.
Sub Area 8: New Oxford Street/High Holborn/Southampton Row
6.117
This sub area is principally comprised of areas of large scale, late 19th and early 20th century
blocks fronting busy thoroughfares. Development followed the construction or widening of
these roads and cut through the earlier 17th and 18th century street pattern. The narrow, quiet
back streets reflect that earlier street pattern. The uses within this area are primarily
commercial, with a range of shops, banks, offices, hotels and theatres. There is some
residential accommodation generally in the form of mansion blocks.
6.118
Along the north side of New Oxford Street and east side of Tottenham Court Road the
buildings predominantly have four principal storeys and are generally consistent in the use of
Portland stone as a facing material, with classical detailing and metal window frames
extending between first and third storeys. The New Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road
junction is a hub of activity for pedestrians and vehicles. The Burton Headquarters designed
by Harry Wilson in 1929 is a landmark building on the corner. It has five main storeys but
which steps up to seven storeys provide additional emphasis. The building steps back on the
upper floors and has tripartite metal framed windows between Corinthian pilasters. This is
seen as part of a group with Nos.80-116 New Oxford Street, which has four main storeys and
arched Diocletian window openings and a continuous cornice line at parapet level. The fifth
floor is set back with two attic storeys in the mansard. The adjacent Dominion Theatre (1929),
on the Tottenham Court Road frontage is also Portland stone faced with similar classically
influenced details including large columns above ground floor with vertical window openings
(hidden behind the large theatre advertising).
LON\73249_1.DOC
No.263 addresses the junction with Great
46
Russell Street with the corner entrance door, curved parapet and sight increase in height on
the corner. It is seen as a group with the Theatre with consistent materials, similar height and
have common themes in their detailing.
6.119
On the south side of New Oxford Street, Nos.63-75, is an attractive group of buildings with
stone base and red brick upper floors with contrasting stone ornamentation including a
continuous cornice at parapet level. Nos.71-75 has a symmetrical, four storey frontage with
rustication of the stone and brick work. The elevational treatment is decorative with projecting
balconies and roof level gables. Nos.63-69 is five storeys stepping up to six storeys at the
junction with Dyott Street.
It has a plainer treatment but echoes the rustication in the
brickwork of the former building. To the rear of these buildings, No.12 Dyott Street and Nos.2
& 4 Bucknall Street is an attractive group of yellow brick, Victorian warehouse buildings with
contrasting red brick and stucco decoration on the Dyott Street elevation and turning the
corner. The Bucknall Street elevation is plainer.
6.120
Between Bloomsbury Street and Shaftesbury Avenue, Nos.47-53 is a group of four storey
stucco terraces of consistent height but varying classically influenced detailing on the upper
floors on the New Oxford Street frontage. Their height and materials are generally consistent
with the buildings on the opposite side of the street. Of particular note, No.53 is a Grade II*
listed local landmark, and has a splendid intact, late Victorian shopfront and interior. At the
junction with Shaftesbury Avenue the buildings are set further back from the frontage and
there are views to the leafy spaces along Shaftesbury Avenue. East of the junction, Nos.33-45
is a group of three-five storeys which, with the exception of Nos.39-41 (a later insertion
probably dating from the 1930s).
They are stucco-faced and have classically influenced
details (Nos.33-37 & 43 being of the same design). The whole group has a consistent band at
parapet/upper storey level that unites the frontage. To the rear of this block along Museum
Street and West Central Street, are some notable, smaller scale mid 19th century buildings
that contribute to the character of the area.
6.121
Shaftesbury Avenue At the junction of Shaftesbury Avenue and Bloomsbury Street, a broad
area is formed with two linked, triangular, hard-landscaped open spaces within which are a
number of mature trees. The most notable building facing the northern space is the listed
Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, which is a landmark feature on Shaftesbury Avenue and
encloses the space in views from New Oxford Street. It has a symmetrical frontage with two
corner towers and a central rose window and is constructed in grey brick with stone dressings.
Adjoining is No.233 Shaftesbury Avenue; a listed office block of similar height (1929), faced in
Portland stone and detailed in a neo-Egyptian style, designed by Leo Sylvester Sullivan. The
north side of the space is formed by a four to five storey block of varied character that backs
onto the properties on the New Oxford Street frontage. Nos.239-241 is a five storey block in
red brick with arched windows on the lower floors, whereas Nos.243-249 are four storeys.
No.243 has a two bay wide stucco frontage with classically influenced detailing. Nos.245-249
LON\73249_1.DOC
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is in yellow brick and has a simple elevation, except for the gable facing New Oxford Street,
which continues the classically detailed stucco facing from the Oxford street frontage. In front
of this gable is a listed drinking fountain. On the east side of the space are the listed King
Edward and Queen Alexandra Mansions. These ornate five storey blocks date from 1902-8
and are by Charles Fitzroy Doll. They present a visually interesting and consistent edge to the
south-eastern edge of the space. They extend along both sides of Grape Street - a narrow
street which slopes down from Shaftesbury Avenue to High Holborn - and have shops at
ground level with former showrooms and offices above on the Shaftesbury Avenue frontage,
with flats on the upper floors along Grape Street. They are built in red brick with terracotta
ornamentation including corner turrets with conical roofs which form roof level focal points
within the street. The listed Bloomsbury public house (No.236 Shaftesbury Avenue) is part of
this group but faces New Oxford Street. This is also attributed to Fitzroy Doll is constructed in
red brick but with white terracotta decoration. To the rear of the public house is a symmetrical
fronted 19th century building built in yellow stock brick which positively contributes to the area.
It has a tall central door with arched windows and pediment above.
6.122
The southern space is known as Princes Circus and is enclosed by the listed Shaftesbury
Theatre on the eastern side and Nos.219-229 on the western side. The listed theatre was built
in 1911 and is constructed in stone, terracotta and brick with elaborately ornamented
renaissance style elevations and a corner tower that is a landmark feature at the junction with
St Giles High Street. Nos.219-229 is red brick with stucco detailing. This block is also heavily
ornamented with a corner tower that provides a focal point along Shaftesbury Avenue at the
entrance to the Conservation Area.
6.123
The prevailing scale along Southampton Row and High Holborn is five or six principal storeys
rising to eight storeys at the junction of High Holborn with New Oxford Street.
Along
Southampton Row there is a predominance of red brick buildings with white stone terracotta
detailing. There is a greater variety of materials along High Holborn with, in addition to the red
brick and stone, some yellow stock brick and stucco and on the earlier buildings and concrete
panels introduced on some of the 1960s insertions.
6.124
On the south side of High Holborn is a group of generally mid-late 19th century developments
with classically influenced detailing. No.212 is a stone built, four storey listed bank building
designed in a Paladian style. No.210 is a taller, six storey 20th century bank building which is
also faced in stone. It has large vertical openings on the upper floors subdivided by metal
spandrel panels and roof level gables. Nos.208 & 209 is the Princess Louise Public House
(1891), listed grade II*, owing to the intact interior. It is four and five storeys respectively and
forms a group of listed, yellow brick terraced properties with stucco decoration and a parapet
roofline. Nos.199-201 is a listed five storey office building with stucco frontage and strips of
arched window openings that adjoins Nos.202-206 which is a late 20th century office building
of the same height and constructed from pre-cast concrete panels that extends to the rear of
LON\73249_1.DOC
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the adjacent listed building. The adjoining Holborn Town Hall and library are also notable listed
buildings constructed in stone with decorative elevational treatment.
6.125
Along the north side of High Holborn, at the western end, are two large scale, eight storey
buildings in a pale red brick with stone detailing that occupy triangular blocks. The apex of
Commonwealth House is curved with horizontal bands of windows and a large clock tower
which is a landmark feature terminating views along the street. The windows in the main
elevations are plain, with 1930s detailing such as horizontal glazing bars and there are
interesting examples of original shopfronts on the New Oxford Street frontage. The block at
the junction with Bloomsbury Way and New Oxford Street, St George’s Court, is a mid 20th
century building with classical detailing. The apex of its western elevation terminates the view
along New Oxford Street. These two blocks are seen together with BUPA House which has six
main storeys and three storeys within the mansard. This building is also constructed in red
brick and has classical stone detailing. The flush window frames and size of the roof detract
from the appearance of this building.
6.126
Holborn Tower is a 1960s 12 storey tower that is out of scale and character with the
surrounding area. Nos.131-132 is a terrace of three brick and stucco properties with ground
level shop fronts. No.130 is entirely stucco-faced but all are consistent in their parapet
cornices, rusticated quoins and classically influenced detailing of the window surrounds.
Nos.127-129 is also four storeys, but taller listed bank building, faced in rusticated Portland
stone with a circular roof level turret to mark the junction with Southampton Place. This has
vertically proportioned openings and a strong projecting cornice line at parapet level.
6.127
At the junction of Southampton Row and High Holborn is a four storey red brick, former bank
building with decorative stone banding and window surrounds that also turns the corner onto
Southampton Place.
Its corner turrets provide focal points along the streets and the
decorative gables, visual interest at roof level.
6.128
Along Southampton Row, the pedestrian shopping street of Sicilian Avenue and the block at
the junction with Vernon Place form a homogenous development and notable landmark
designed by RJ Worley in the early 19th century for the Bedford Estate.
These listed
properties have upper floor offices, previously flats, with ornate elevational treatment. The two
blocks are linked at either end of Sicilian Avenue by a loggia, which encloses the street. They
are seen together with Nos.11-13 Southampton Row which is of similar scale and treatment
being red brick with decorative stone banding and window surrounds. No.3-9 is a plainer,
slightly later building (1930s) but of consistent scale and materials.
6.129
Great Russell Street(west of Bloomsbury Street). Either side of Great Russell Street, west of
the junction with Bloomsbury Street is a pair of early 20th century hotel developments. Both are
six storeys, built in red brick with stone detailing. They have curved corner towers topped with
LON\73249_1.DOC
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a dome that form a distinctive gateway along Great Russell Street and provide focal points in
views. They are characterised by variation at roof level provided by gables and chimneys and
vertical bays.
6.130
To the west of these hotel blocks, the scale along the north side of the street returns to three
and four storey terraces. Nos.98-109 are all listed. Nos.98-107 are late 17th century but have
been refronted in the 18th and 19th centuries. Nos.103-106 are smaller a group of three storey
brick faced terraces in yellow brick with rubbed brick heads. Nos.106 & 107 have notable
shopfronts. Either side of this group are four storey, stucco-faced terraces with rusticated
ground floor and quoins. No. 99 is grade II* listed as a consequence of its interesting interior
and terminates the view along Dyott Street. The step back in the frontage between
Nos.107&108 provides interest and variation within the street. This is emphasised by the use
of curved glazing in No.107. No.110 continues the stucco frontage around the corner onto
Adeline Place where it joins No.16. Both buildings have identical elevational treatment
continuing the theme of classically influenced detailing.
6.131
On the south side of the Great Russell Street the scale of the hotel development is
maintained. Congress House is an important mid 1950s building housing the Trades Union
Headquarters designed by David du R Aberdeen (grade II* listed). It is a distinctive building
that has a glazed curtain wall with horizontal windows facing Great Russell Street and strong,
curved forms and projecting balconies on its main frontage addressing Dyott Street. Adjacent
to this is Lutyen's neo-Georgian red brick YWCA building (also listed) which although four
storeys is of comparable height and a prominent building within the street. This building also
addresses a narrow hard landscaped frontage to the west that provides a cut through to
Bainbridge Street and New Oxford Street. Nos.5 and 9-14 are a four storey terrace of
consistent height with two bays wide plots. Nos.13&14 are brick-faced and have rubbed brick
heads to the windows. Nos. 5 and 8-12 are stucco-fronted with classically influenced
ornamentation including rusticated quoins, window surrounds and projecting cornice at
parapet level. No.7 is the larger scale red brick side entrance to the Dominion Theatre on
Tottenham Court Road.
6.132
Streatham Street runs to the rear of the Marlborough Hotel. It is a small, narrow Street, which
like Dyott and Bainbridge Streets reflects the street pattern prior to the construction of New
Oxford Street. Parnell House, on at the junction with Dyott Street is a notable five storey mid
19th century, grade II* listed flat block built in yellow stock brick with simple stucco banding that
forms a block together with the adjacent hotel.
6.133
The buildings along Bloomsbury Street are vary in age, architectural style and materials. To
the south of the junction with Great Russell Street are a group of listed late 18th century four
storey terraces of particular note. Nos.1-5 have mid 19th century alterations and are stuccofaced. Nos.5-7 have ground level shops and No.1 has classical ornamentation. The hotels
LON\73249_1.DOC
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either side of the junction with Great Russell Street are seen in conjunction with Bedford Court
Mansions, a contemporaneous mansion block of a similar height, scale, materials and
detailing. To the north of the Kenilworth Hotel there is a modern extension. This is of
appropriate scale and materials and is considered to be neutral. Bedford Court Mansions
continue along the full extent of Bedford Avenue and onto Adeline Place. There is a significant
difference in scale in comparison to the mews properties opposite, but consistency in the
colours of materials.
Sub Area 10: Hanway Street/ Hanway Place
6.134
This is a small area to the west of Tottenham Court Road, originally developed around in the
mid 18th century that retains its original street pattern, although largely redeveloped in a
piecemeal fashion in the 19th century. The area has a tight grain characterised by narrow
lanes (around 4m wide), enclosed by three and four storey development of varied characters,
occupied by a mix of small scale warehouse, office, retail with residential uses on the upper
floors. The former block of terraces and warehouses on the Tottenham Court Road frontage
has recently been replaced by a single, larger scale block of mixed use development that
steps down in scale to the rear. Yellow brick is the predominant facing material with a variety
of red brick and stucco detailing to generally vertically-proportioned window and to door
heads.
6.135
Along the north side of Hanway Street are a group of three and four storey terraces. Nos. 1016 (including the frontage to Hanway Place) are three storeys with three bay wide frontages,
small dormers in a mansard and ground level shopfronts. They are built in yellow brick with
contrasting red brick window surrounds and dentil course at parapet level. No.18 is in red
brick, has a slightly wider, four bay frontage and rises to four storeys with a ground level shop.
Nos. 20&22 is a pair of smaller scale three storey terraces with two bay frontages and small
attic dormers within the mansard and ground level shop fronts. No. 20 retains original shop
front elements. Nos. 24-26 is a three storey red brick office insertion of no particular interest.
Nos.28-32 is a group of four storey terraces in a yellow brick with rubbed brick window heads
that turn the corner onto Hanway Place and are seen as a group with the three storey terrace
on the north side of Hanway Place which has stucco surrounds to the windows and doors and
recessed, two pane sashes. At the eastern end of Hanway Place there is a group of three
storey warehouse buildings on either side. These buildings have wider windows, with arched
heads and decorative, contrasting red brickwork. No.14 retains its timber loading doors on the
upper floors with the hoist above.
Sub Area 10: Gray’s Inn/ Lincoln’s Inn Fields
6.136
Established in the 14th Century within Medieval Manor houses, the Inns of Court of Lincoln's
Inn and Gray's Inn have a distinctive spatial character that derives from the notable contrast
LON\73249_1.DOC
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and transition in scale and sense of enclosure experienced when moving through the
interconnected sequence of mainly pedestrianised, landscaped open spaces, enclosed
courtyards and narrow passageways and lanes. The area has remained a focus for the legal
profession and the training barristers for over 500 years. The activity associated with this
continuous use contributes to the sense of place and combines with the limited vehicular
access to create a peaceful, collegiate ambience and a distinctive pattern of daytime
pedestrian activity.
6.137
The landscape and fine mature trees play a significant role in both large, landscaped open
spaces (Lincoln’s Inn Fields and Gray’s Inn Gardens) and the smaller squares and spaces
(Field Court, New Square, South Square, Gray's Inn Square). The size and treatment of these
smaller spaces vary with both hard surfaced and soft landscaped courtyards and gardens. The
high quality of public realm within the Inns of Court includes numerous elements of historic
interest including York stone paving, decorative railings and gates, 19th Century lampposts
and uniform street furniture. Lincolns Inn Fields would benefit from some enhancement.
6.138
There are sequences of views across the open squares and spaces to surrounding buildings
and glimpsed views along narrow passageways and underneath buildings to adjacent
courtyards and gardens which are a notable feature of the area. There is a key view
southwards from Lincoln’s Inn towards the Royal Courts of Justice.
6.139
The buildings are mainly arranged in terraced or courtyard forms: the courtyards echoing the
form of the original manor houses, albeit at a larger scale. There are also set piece buildings
within the Inns of Court such as Gray’s Inn Hall (grade II), Lincolns Inn Chapel (grade I), and
New Hall and Library (grade II*) which date from 15th, 17th and 18th centuries. The high
proportion of listed buildings indicating the architectural quality and historic interest of the area,
particularly around Lincoln’s Inn. Development around the Inns of Court ranges from three to
five storeys in height with consistency in individual blocks. Around Lincolns Inn Fields, the
height of development is more varied.
6.140
There are a variety of materials, details and styles which reflect generally the various periods
of development. Materials include red brick, London stock brick, stone and stucco. A variety of
architectural detailing is also evident: the contrasting decorative brickwork of the Tudor and
neo-Tudor buildings and the classical detailing including columns, pilasters and pedimented
porticos of Stone Buildings and classical proportions and detailing evident in the majority of
buildings surrounding Lincoln's Inn Fields.
6.141
The terraced chambers vary in date from 17th and 18th centuries to the 20th century. They
generally have relatively plain elevations with repeated patterns of sash windows and classical
detailing such as banding to and pedimented door surrounds. The finest are around Stone
Buildings. There are also older Tudor buildings around Old Square and buildings that reflect
LON\73249_1.DOC
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that Tudor Style such as New Hall. Whereas more recent additions have tended to mimic
earlier building styles, early 20th century insertions around Lincoln’s Inn Fields have been more
decorative, stone faced elements.
Lincoln's Inn Fields
6.142
Lincoln’s Inn Fields was laid out in the mid 17th century as a residential square. The scale of
the square, the wide road and the way the pavements at each corner of the square open out
imbues an open, spacious quality. The mature trees within the landscaped square contribute
the character of the space.
6.143
The original grand houses, have mainly been redeveloped with a mix of mainly nonresidential, predominantly office use. The piecemeal redevelopment from the mid 17th century
onwards means the buildings surrounding the square have become more varied in their
heights, scale, plot sizes and architectural style although they maintain a consistent building
line. There are also common themes that generally apply including a strong parapet, reducing
storey heights, sash windows and the use of banding and a generally maintained pattern of
railings and basements.
6.144
The (mostly listed) north side of the square comprises a varied terrace of mainly townhouses
occupying generally narrower plots than the west side. Dating from the early 18th to the late
20th century, they vary from three to six storeys with the most notable being Sir John Soane’s
Museum. The unlisted buildings (nos. 3-4, 10-11, 20-23 and 29) all date from the 20th Century.
The stone fronted interventions from the early 20th century have a more decorative
appearance but well-detailed façades. The later, brick-fronted Nos. 3-4 (1972) and 10-11
(1980) are more consistent with the older townhouses being 5 stories with more simple
facades.
6.145
The townhouses on the west side, whilst still terraced, are slightly larger in footprint and
grander in scale and have a forecourt area generally enclosed by railings and are
predominantly three storey. Lindsey House (nos. 59-60) with its wide classical frontage and
imposing rusticated piers is the only original house (1639-41) and is complemented by its
stone fronted neighbour Nos. 57-58, (1730). Classical details and symmetrical facades are a
theme which is continued in 64-66 (also listed). There is variation in the heights of the more
recent buildings. Whereas the stone frontage of no 61 replicates the scale and rhythm of the
adjoining listed building, No. 63 steps up to six storeys as do buildings at southern end of the
terrace (Queens House and the Public Trustees Office). These taller buildings are more
decorative in their detailing but reflect the classical motifs.
6.146
The east side of the square is dominated by the flank of the decorative Tudor Lincoln's Inn
New Hall (grade II*), built in 1843-5 and library. The matching western boundary wall and
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porters lodge (grade II) enclosing the square signal the transition between the large open
square of Lincoln's Inn Fields and the more intimate colligate character of Lincoln's Inn.
The Inns of Court
6.147
Lincoln’s Inn and Gray’s Inn have a more enclosed, collegiate character. The whole area has
a private, internalised feel, hidden from view from the main surrounding streets except at key
locations where there are views into the larger gardens. The view out of Grays Inn Gardens
was deliberately left to provide views to Highgate, but maintains privacy as a result of the
mature trees and change in levels. The sense of the Inns being a semi-private space is
reinforced by the continuous street frontages with gateways or arches. As noted above, it is
the interrelationship between these different size and types of spaces and the quality of public
realm that helps to give this area its distinct character. Notably this creates a dynamic
sequence of interesting views, some are glimpsed views along narrow passageways to
adjacent courtyards, and others are buildings terminating views.
6.148
The sense of enclosure within the spaces is reinforced by the long building facades and their
heights. Whilst there is variety in the ages, architecture and materials of buildings there is
general consistency, harmony and balance within courtyards. The areas rich history and
evolution is evident in the detail of its buildings, landscape and public realm. The quality, age
and interest of many of the buildings in these areas is reflected in the fact that many of them
are protected by listing. Almost all the buildings of Lincoln’s Inn are listed. Of particular note
are
Stone Buildings (grade I) - stone chambers in a classical style built 1780-1845, whose
symmetrical western façade is seen across Lincoln’s Inn from Lincoln’s Inn Fields
The ornate mid 19th century neo-Tudor New Hall and Library (Grade II*)
The Chapel with its vaulted undercroft (grade I)
The irregular courtyards of Old Square and Old Square buildings (grade I)
6.149
The greater WWII bomb damage suffered by Gray’s Inn is evident in the fewer listed buildings
and more evident 20th century developments. There are also a number of 19th century
buildings that contribute to the interest of the narrow passageways and mews to the south and
west.
6.150
The 20th century buildings around Grays Inn Square and South Square have been designed to
replicate earlier styles and maintain the character of these spaces and generally maintain the
setting of the older buildings, although some are more accomplished architecturally than
others. Whilst some buildings are of limited architectural interest, the essential character of the
area has been maintained, in terms of the varied spatial qualities of courtyards and
passageways, the ambience of the mainly pedestrian environment and sense of enclosure,
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with mainly 4-5 storey buildings. In the pedestrian lanes between Gray’s Inn and High Holborn
this has been most successful where the scale of buildings is four storeys, and the
proportions, articulation and materials used in the elevations is consistent with the pattern of
the area.
6.151
High Holborn provides a distinctive break between Lincoln’s Inn and Gray’s Inn owing to its
busy nature and generally larger in scale of buildings (5-7 storeys) which mainly date from the
19th and 20th centuries. The narrow passageways including a grade II listed stucco gatehouse
dating from 1583 which leads into the interior of Gray's Inn, reinforce the contrast between the
busy main street and quiet courts.
The Surrounding Streets
6.152
Chancery Lane/Carey Street - The buildings along and extending between Lincoln’s Inn and
these streets are built up to the back of the pavement on limited plots providing ancillary, more
commercial uses adding to their interest. Along Chancery Lane, they fully occupy their historic
long narrow plots, and separated by narrow courts, the buildings maintain a strong sense of
enclosure. The smaller scale buildings on the frontage to Carey Street contrast with the rear of
new square seen beyond. The 19th century buildings contribute to the interest of the streets.
6.153
Theobold’s Road - Nos. 12-32 Theobolds Road enclose the northern side of Gray’s Inn
Gardens. The terraces east of John Street (some listed) reflect the character, materials and
scale of the buildings within Gray’s Inn as does nos. 24-26 Theobalds Road, a four storey neoclassical building dating from the mid 20th century with a rusticated stucco ground floor, and a
narrower terraced building between (behind scaffolding). The 1960’s century Holborn Library,
is less compromising in its elevation articulation, although appropriate in scale and materials.
6.154
Gate Street/Little turnstile – these narrow, intensely enclosed streets leading from the northwest corner of Lincoln’s Inn Fields reflect the historic street pattern and are defined by mainly
19th century buildings and reflect a range of commercial uses.
Sub Area 11: Great James Street
6.155
The Great James Street sub area developed during the Georgian and Regency period under
various ownerships, although part of the structure was laid out earlier by Nicholas Barbon. It
is characterised by a clear street hierarchy structured on a grid layout. Bedford Row, Doughty
Street and John Street are the widest streets and have some of the larger properties. There is
a particularly interesting progression in width (and grandeur) from Millman Street, through
Great James Street to Bedford Row. There is no planned open space although the more
formal streets and characterised by the presence of regularly spaced street trees.
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6.156
The historic built form comprises townhouses built in long terraces with rear mews. This fine
grain remains an important characteristic and the continuous building frontage created by the
terracing creates a strong sense of enclosure.
6.157
The townhouses, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries, are either three or four storeys with
basements defined by iron railings characterise the area.
Their vertically proportioned
frontages have three windows per floor establishing a repeated rhythm of window and door
openings along the terraces. Common details are wooden architraved door cases, timber
panelled doors, fanlights, flat roofed porches or small porticos above. There is subtle variation
in the detailing of the terraces, which provides variety, although the overall perception is one of
homogeneity. The strong consistency in appearance is due to the consistency of materials.
The prevailing materials are London stock brick with some contrasting red brick detailing (e.g.
segmental red-brick arches). Some stucco is evident at ground floor level. The formal terraces
have parapet roofs, some with mansard attics and dormer windows.
6.158
The mew properties are generally two storeys without basements. There is variation in
building type along Millman Street, which comprises some later 20th century housing as well
as late 19th century terraces which form part of the Rugby Estate.
6.159
Once a predominantly residential area, there is now a mixture of uses. The main and
secondary through streets (John Street, Doughty Street, Bedford Row, Rugby Street, Great
James Street) are predominantly offices but retain some residential use (Millman Street).
Bedford Row, is largely occupied by legal firms, due to its proximity to Gray's Inn. The mews
streets and ‘mews type’ streets have a mixture of residential uses and small workshops
including garages, printers and refuse collectors. Towards the eastern and western edges of
the character area, more retail uses become evident in streets joining Gray’s Inn Road and
Lambs Conduit Street, such as Rugby Street and Guilford Street.
6.160
The characteristics of the streets in the hierarchy is summarised below:
6.161
The main streets include John Street which leads into Doughty Street and Bedford Row (the
stretch running north to south) as well as the part of Guilford Street which lies within this sub
area. Most of the buildings on these streets are listed, reflecting the quality of the area. They
are all wide, grand streets, comprising mainly three and four storey Georgian terraced
townhouses. A number of the corner plots have been refaced in the 19th century and these
later buildings provide some greater interest at the junctions.
6.162
The earliest, Bedford Row is a good example of an early Georgian Street (c. 1717-1719),
although parts of its west side have been rebuilt. The majority of the buildings fronting Bedford
Row are four storeys with basements with a strong parapet line and a repeated pattern of
windows and doors. There is general consistency in the use of London stock brick with red
brick detailing and black painted boundary railings. Wooden architraved doorcases, panelled
LON\73249_1.DOC
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doors and fanlights of various patterns and design are characteristic of the street. Materials
and details vary in some of the later developments, although the general scale and proportions
of buildings are similar. The corner buildings at Nos. 24, 25 and 44 have more decorative 19th
century frontages with gables and chimneys introduced at roof level. Although similar in scale
and proportions 24 and 25 may have been re-fronted.
6.163
The townhouses along John Street, Doughty Street and Guilford Street are similar in plan form
to Bedford Row but later in date: John Street (mid 18th century), Doughty Street and Guilford
Street (late 18th century-early 19th century). The houses are constructed of yellow stock brick
with red brick or stucco detailing. A variety of designs of doorcases, fanlights and balconies
are evident. Doughty Street comprises a mixture of four storey terraces with basements and
three storey terraces with basements and mansard roofs. All the buildings within the street are
grade II listed, except for No.48, the Dickens House Museum, which is grade I. Buildings on
John Street are generally four storeys with basements, some are stuccoed at ground floor and
some have mansard roofs with dormer windows. The post-war buildings at Nos. 1 and 37-38
are of consistent scale and proportions and have classically influenced detailing. The 19th
century public house (No. 11a) is more decorative and retains its traditional wooden front.
Whilst 21a rises to eight storeys and is significantly larger, it has some interesting 1930’s
detailing to the doorway and roof level.
6.164
The secondary streets - Great James Street, Millman Street, and the stretches of Rugby,
Great Ormond and Sandland Streets to the east side of Lambs Conduit/ Red Lion Street and
incorporating 45-49 Bedford Row - share many of the characteristics of the main streets, but
are generally narrower and less grand in nature. These groups of streets were built at the
same time, in the early 18th century, although the original buildings on Millman Street have
been replaced by later development. The streets largely comprise four storey terraces formed
of small, narrow plots. As with the main streets, the heights and widths of the streets and the
continuous building frontages form a good sense of enclosure. All the buildings on Great
James Street and the part of Great Ormond Street within the sub area are listed. Great James
Street is an almost complete example of an early Georgian Street; just the original sash
windows are missing. Grand four storey terraces survive on Great Ormond Street. Both these
streets are constructed of a browny-red brick with red brick dressings, and have black railings
to the street edge. Decorative wooden doorcases and leaded hoods supported by carved
brackets and fanlights of varying designs are evident on Great James Street.
6.165
Along Rugby Street, shopfronts have been inserted into some of the ground floors mainly on
the south side, reflecting perhaps the fewer listed properties on that side of the street. The
consistent frontage railings and basements are retained elsewhere. Nevertheless all of the
buildings contribute to the character and appearance of the street. A number of the shops
retain their console brackets and other features. A few other 19th century additions can be
LON\73249_1.DOC
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seen: nos.15 and 20 have interesting brickwork detailing whereas no. 2 has a more ornate
rendered facade .
6.166
None of the buildings on Millman Street are listed. Whilst the scale of the east side is generally
consistent with the character of the street and area, there is little of historic interest other than
nos. 60-62. Housing for Camden built in 1974 and designed by Farrell & Grimshaw is situated
at the southern end. Of relative interest on the west side are nos. 1-25 which are the four
storey, pale brick houses built in 1888 for the Rugby Estate.
6.167
The listed 46-48 Bedford Row are notable for terminating the view south along Bedford Row.
6.168
The minor cross streets – Northington and Roger Streets and are relatively narrow and varied
in character with different building types, styles and ages. In comparison with other streets
they have discontinuous building frontages owing to them being defined mostly by the flanks
of buildings. This, together with an irregular alignment, gives a varied sense of enclosure and
few principal elevations. Building types include townhouses in small groups, mews buildings
and later infill. Whilst there is variation in heights, there is a general consistency in the use of
yellow stock brick with rendered, red brick or stone detailing with some occasional red brick.
The streets’ lesser status is evident in the scale and placement of buildings and the historic
introduction of more commercial uses such as small shops, public houses. These uses remain
with some office and residential uses.
6.169
Roger Street, the varied alignment of which follows the line of the Parish boundary, has
buildings of varied height. Of interest along the street is the 1930s corner public house with its
art deco influenced detailing. East of Doughty Street are the listed flanks of 62 Doughty Street
and 20 John Street. Northington Street has slightly greater interest in both the flanks of listed
buildings (nos. 16 Great James Street, 25 John Mews and 29 John Street), No. 13 a former
brewery stables, and the 19th century townhouses (nos. 16 and 19-21) and other buildings, as
well as the frontages of the pub and occasional shopfronts. Later developments have tended
to be obtrusive in scale and materials.
6.170
The mews were developed as service streets for the larger houses. Their distinctive character
derives from the smaller scale and footprint of the mew buildings (mostly two storeys), the way
in which the elevations reflect their former use with large ground floor openings and small
openings on the upper floors, placement of buildings on street edge and (in some cases) their
some with original cobbled surfacing extending to the building frontages (although most have
been covered with tarmac). The mews tend to have narrow entrances or are accessed through
a narrow archway under a building.
6.171
Whilst pressure for change has led to many of the original mews buildings being replaced;
Doughty Mews and the northern end of Brownlow Mews probably contain the best surviving
examples of the mews building type although many of them have now been renovated.
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Original cobbles still exist on Brownlow Mews. Cockpit Yard, named after a fashionable 18th
Century cockfighting venue, and John's Mews have a greater number of recent interventions
but still maintain their character and retain some of the older mews buildings, although North
Mews has been entirely redeveloped.
6.172
The mews areas mainly have a mixture of small scale workshop and residential uses
consistent with their historic use. Jockeys Fields comprises mews properties to the rear of
Bedford Row of mainly two and occasionally three storeys which are separated from the
Gray’s Inn by a substantial wall. These mainly offices and commercial buildings are varied with
greater interest in the 19th century buildings. Some of the more recent buildings have
decorative facades and a scale that are not traditionally associated with a mews.
Sub Area 12: Queens Square/ Lamb’s Conduit Street
6.173
This sub area is split into two physically separate areas as a result of the large scale 20th
Century interventions along High Holborn, which are not suitable for inclusion within the
conservation area. Characterised by a focal square (Red Lion Square/Queen Square)
surrounded by a network of streets and minor routes characterised by a mix of mainly
commercial or residential uses, these areas were originally developed speculatively in the late
17th and early 18th centuries for a combination of residential and other uses. The formally
planned squares comprise landscaped gardens enclosed by iron railings and are now
surrounded by a variety of building types, styles and ages: the earlier townhouses having been
largely redeveloped during the 19th and 20th centuries. The network of streets surrounding the
squares differ in character according to their use. They are either in a mix of uses or
predominantly residential streets. There are also two minor routes - Lambs Conduit Passage,
which reflects the early street pattern and Colonnade – a mews. There are, there is a
particular concentration of specialist hospital uses. In addition to this there are shops, pubs,
churches and houses.
6.174
Although architecturally diverse, there are a number of unifying elements. The historic building
form consists of terraces of townhouses opening out into squares. These create a fine urban
grain with predominantly small footprints, and narrow frontages. There is greater variety in the
townhouses compared to the later development. Where there are later 19th and 20th century
buildings of larger footprints they generally provide continuous frontage and maintain the
definition of the streets. The streets are relatively narrow and enclosed emphasising the scale
and transition into the spaces. Buildings are either situated immediately at the back of the
pavement edge or have small front gardens, usually no more than about 1m deep, which are
generally enclosed by iron railings. Building heights are relatively consistent along streets.
There is little street planting and landscaping is generally only provided within the squares.
LON\73249_1.DOC
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6.175
The wide selection of materials adds to the overall characteristic of variety in the area. The
predominant materials for the townhouses are brick, either in a more common yellow or redbrown colour.
6.176
The characteristics of the squares and streets within the sub area is summarised below:
Queen Square and Red Lion Square
6.177
Red Lion Square and Queen Square were first planned by Nicholas Barbon in the 1680s, on
fields to the northwest of Gray's Inn. None of the original buildings surrounding the squares
survive intact from this date.
6.178
Red Lion Square, begun in 1684 and the first to be constructed was laid out with seven narrow
passageways leading off from its corners and sides, only Lambs Conduit Passageway now
remains but gives a feel for the intensely enclosed nature of these streets.
6.179
A variety of buildings types, styles and ages now surround the square including a group of
early, listed townhouses (nos. 14-17) that have been re-faced, a distinctive buff faience office
building (also listed) a number of late 19th century red brick mansion blocks with decorative
facades and vertical in proportions which contribute to the enclosure of the square. Conway
Hall built in 1929, in the north-east corner is three storeys, built in grey brick with a two storey
baroque entrance with urns at the second level. The two blocks of mid 20th century flats are
appropriate scale but are of such limited quality that they detract. The landscaped square itself
was redesigned with the two circular lawns in 1991 by Charles Funke Associates; it contains a
bronze bust of Bertrand Russell by Marcelle Quinton, 1980.
6.180
Queen Square was built up slightly later and completed by c. 1729 on land owned by Sir
Nathaniel Curzon of Kedleston and was named in honour of Queen Anne. Originally the
northern end of the square was left open to provide a view to Highgate and Hampstead. As
with Red Lion Square, Queen Square has been transformed by redevelopment of the original
townhouses over the late 19th and 20th centuries, especially on the north and east sides, by
ornate hospital buildings. The pattern of this redevelopment over time has also led to a range
of architecturally diverse buildings, which contribute to the character of the square. Of
particular note is St. George the Martyr Church (Grade II*), which pre-dates the square (1709)
and which forms a group of stucco, yellow brick and stone-faced buildings at the hard paved
southern end of the square, including the Italian Hospital, York House and the western wing of
the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital, which was finished in 1909 and designed by E. T.
Hall. The predominant height in this part of the square is three to four storeys. The northern
part comprises taller, generally six storey, red brick hospital buildings to the east and four
storey terraced buildings to the west surrounding the landscaped square. The mid-late 20th
century concrete buildings detract as a result their height, bulk and unsympathetic articulation
LON\73249_1.DOC
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and proportion. The square itself comprises formally laid out lawns enclosed by iron railings. A
grade II listed bronze statue from 1775, probably Queen Charlotte, is situated at the northern
end. The Hospital and medical uses dominate the square, which is active and busy with
people throughout the day.
Mixed Use Streets
6.181
The streets characterised by a mix of land uses - Lambs Conduit Street, Great Ormond Street
(west of Lambs Conduit Street), Bernard Street and Red Lion Street - are relatively narrow
streets with continuous building frontages that provide a good sense of enclosure. They
comprise a large number of 18th and early 19th Century brick townhouses, three to four storeys
in height, often with shops at ground floor level. However, other building types, reflecting the
variety of uses within the streets, are also evident. Landscape plays a limited role, apart from
some street trees at the northern end of Lambs Conduit Street and along Great Ormond
Street. The mix of shopping and service uses create lively, active streets, enhanced by the
pedestrianisation of a stretch of Lambs Conduit Street. Due to the number of townhouses,
brick is a predominant material; however, other materials such as glazed tiling, render,
concrete and aluminium cladding are evident.
6.182
Lambs Conduit Street derives its name from a water conduit provided by William Lambe to
convey water to the City, which was removed in 1755. The street was laid out by Barbon in
1690 and completed by c.1710. At the northern end it becomes Guilford Place. The relatively
large number of listed townhouses, which date from the early 18th Century, reflects the
architectural and historic quality of the street. The townhouses are generally four storeys with
shop fronts at ground level (although the short terrace on Guilford Place is residential). The
detailing, colour of brick and ridgelines of the townhouses vary. This, coupled with the active
shop fronts, creates a visually interesting and vibrant streetscene.
6.183
Great Ormond Street (west of Lambs Conduit Street) was also begun by Barbon in 1686 on
part of the Rugby Estate. The listed townhouses on its south side are fine, remaining
examples of the type of development built across the area at that time, notable for their red
brick and decorative timber brackets. There are a number of later interventions on the south
side including the red brick nurses home and Victorian buildings at Orde Hall Street. The north
side of the street is dominated by hospital buildings including the retained red brick Victorian
frontage of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and an attractive, well-designed
contemporary building at the junction with Lamb’s Conduit Street. The intervening building is
of poor quality.
6.184
Red Lion Street dates from the late 17th Century when it was predominantly residential
townhouses. A variety of uses and ages of buildings now characterise the street although the
prevailing type remains the townhouse with ground floor shops. A few terraced properties
LON\73249_1.DOC
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survive from the mid. 18th Century and are listed others have been more substantially rebuilt or
re-fronted during the 19th century. Two ornate pubs at the northern end - The Dolphin Tavern
and The Enterprise contribute to the character of the street. There are two unremarkable, late
20th century office blocks, which are larger in scale and massing than other buildings on the
street, and a row of two storey 20th Century shops with flats above situated adjacent to a
seven storey block of flats of mid 20th Century origin. The contrast in heights between these
buildings is a detracting element within the street scene. Eagle Street, one of the oldest streets
in this area, has been largely redeveloped with a mix of commercial uses on it with little of
remaining interest.
Residential Streets
6.185
Old Gloucester Street, Dombey Street, Guilford Street and Orde Hall Street, are in
predominantly residential use with the prevailing pattern being townhouses of various dates
from the early 18th Century (Old Gloucester Street), mid-late 18th century (Dombey/Guilford
Street), and the consistent late 19th century Orde Hall Street.
6.186
Old Gloucester Street was named after the Duke of Gloucester, the longest surviving son of
Queen Annes. Whilst there is general consistency in terms of height and materials there are
are some interesting variations in style including the gothic elevation of a the St George’s Boys
School, the Georgian townhouses and an art deco warehouse building. The terraces on Orde
Hall Street, built by the Metropolitan Board of Works on slum clearance land, is three storeys
with basement. The difference in the decoration favoured by the Victorians in comparison with
earlier developments is clear. Dombey Street contains good examples of early 18th Century
terraces, all of which are grade II listed. It was renamed in 1936 after the Dickens novel
Dombey and Son. The part of Guilford Street within the sub-area also comprises a terrace of
townhouse all of which are grade II listed. These date from the late 18th century and were built
by James Burton. Dane and Princeton Streets are more varied having been more influenced
by unsympathetic later developments. The Victorian Board School, dated 1877, built of yellow
brick with red brick detailing, with an arched entrance and the terraces on Princeton Street do
contribute to the overall interest of the area.
Passageways
6.187
There are a number of mainly pedestrianised short, narrow passageways within this area that
form part of the historic street pattern. These include Lambs Conduit Passageway, Gage
Street, and Queen’s Place. The narrowest of the passages run beneath the buildings. Many of
these smaller streets retain buildings of interest and tend to have a mix of commercial and
residential use adding to their levels of activity and interest. The sense of enclosure is
particularly emphasised by their narrowness.
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Mews
6.188
There are a number of small mews types streets within the area. These tend to be relatively
short, small mews areas with the exception of Colonnade, Long Yard and Emerald Street.
Colonnade, Emerald Street, Barbon Close and Long Yard retain the greatest number of
buildings of interest. Colonnade dates from the 19th Century and is a narrow, cobbled mews,
with a consistent terrace of typical two storey London stock brick mews properties. Halfway
along Colonnade, on the south side a Victorian taking-in door and gantry survive at nos.19-23.
The ‘Horse Hospital’ at No. 2 Herbrand Street, is a listed building which has a side elevation
fronting Colonnade. The late 20th Century residential development (Chandler House and
Baker House) on the north side complements the scale of the traditional mews properties
opposite. The rear elevation of Russell Square tube station address the north side of
Colonnade. Built in traditional stock brick with contrasting brick banding it contributes to the
streetscene. There are Victorian warehouses along Emerald Street of mostly three storeys
which have become a focus for small scale businesses.
Sub Area 13: Coram’s Fields/Brunswick Centre
6.189
This area is dominated by the large scale, historic open spaces in the vicinity of Coram’s
Fields, resulting in a notable sense of openness which contrasts with surrounding areas.
There is a predominance of institutional (hospital, university, education), recreational and
community uses with secondary residential and office uses. The area is relatively busy during
the daytime as a result of these uses.
6.190
The remaining fragments of the townhouses developed on the Foundling and surrounding
estates in the late 18th and early 19th century, are mostly listed. These contrast with the much
larger scale footprints of the 20th century redevelopment such as the Brunswick Centre. The
20th Century developments tend to have large footprints occupying entire street blocks and
contrasting with the much finer grain of earlier housing development. Whilst the Brunswick
Centre has erased the pattern of earlier streets, elsewhere the street pattern and pattern of
open space remains as laid out when the area developed. Notwithstanding the differences
between the buildings there are similarities in the strong parapet lines, use of banding to
articulate storey heights, long, continuous frontages of development, a relatively consistent
and close relationship to the street and generally rectangular massing of blocks. The
prevailing height of development is four storey, with taller elements up to six and seven
storeys, although there are smaller buildings adjoining Coram’s Fields area are lower one and
two storey buildings. Building materials are relatively consistent in terms of their colour and
tone London stock brick and stucco on developments built in the late 18th and 19th Centuries, a
pale red brick in the mid 20th Century buildings and concrete features on later buildings.
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The open spaces
6.191
Of interest in the morphology of the area are St George’s Gardens (a 17th century burial
ground, made into a garden by the Victorians), Corams Field’s (the Grounds and site of the
Foundling Hospital established in the mid 18th century) and Brunswick, Mecklenburgh and
Regent Squares (part of the planned residential development of the late 18th and early 19th
centuries). The mature trees within these areas, their boundary walls and railings are all part
of the areas interest and are important in the setting of remaining listed buildings. The
suggestion of a formal, grand approach to the Foundling Hospital from Guilford Place remains
but no longer has the visual termination of a building. The front façade to the Coram’s Fields
Park, (Grade II) is built predominantly in stone, with some stucco detailing the surviving mid
18th century forecourt buildings are single storey in height and have been restored by English
Heritage (1988).
Built form
6.192
The Georgian townhouses are relatively consistent and are all listed (mainly Grade II). Some
of the terraces have a unified composition giving them a greater sense of scale which is
particularly notable in Mecklenburgh Square. The overall height, articulation and frontage
basements and railings of the other buildings adjoining the square maintain some of the sense
of enclosure and overall unity in this area, notwithstanding the difference between the
buildings. Many of the Georgian townhouses were developed by Burton. Features of note
include their chimney pots, made at nearby Bagnigge Wells, frontage railings and basements,
decorative first floor balconies.
6.193
The area around Hunter Street, which was built on the line of an old track running north from
Lamb’s Conduit, is slightly different. The townhouses are interspersed by a greater proportion
of red brick and decorative facades including the listed 1897 School of Medicine designed by
JM Brydon, which forms a group with the more decorative red brick 19th and early 20th century
mansion blocks as well as the art deco influenced forms of the 1930’s School of Pharmacy,
The substantial main frontage of the latter is to Brunswick Square but returns to Hunter Street
at a comfortable scale, although roof extensions detract.
6.194
The 20th Century buildings vary in age and styles. The most interesting are listed: the 1930s
neo-Georgian London House (listed); and the sculptural Brunswick Centre (listed) an
influential megastructure of flats and shops by Patrick Hodgkinson (1967-1972) and recently
refurbished by Levitt Bernstein . The university/hospital buildings along Guilford Street are a
group of 1960s buildings some of which detract from the conservation area as a result of their
scale, appearance and detailed design.
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Sub Area 14: Cartwright Gardens/ Argyle Square
6.195
The interest of this area derives primarily from the retained and relatively intact terraces,
formal street pattern and planned formal open spaces dating from the early 19th century.
Developed
mainly by James Burton, it was one of the later areas of Bloomsbury to be
completed. The area retains a notable uniformity in the appearance of buildings and the large
formal gardens, with mature trees that soften the urban area and provide a foil for the
development.
6.196
The original almost solely residential use has changed during the 20th Century with the
movement of people out to the suburbs and has become dominated by a mix of hotel and bed
and breakfast uses, student accommodation and offices. Notwithstanding issues associated
with these uses, there remains a striking consistency in the townscape with repeated
townhouses of consistent form, plot widths, railings with basements, repeated articulation of
facades, detailing and materials (London Stock brick, rusticated stucco and stucco banding).
6.197
Properties tend to be three or four storeys in height and consistent within terraces with taller
buildings facing the square. Other common features include sash windows, which are taller on
the first floor windows and decreasing storey height on upper floors; arched doors and ground
floor windows with delicate fanlights and arched motifs, delicate iron balconies, iron railings to
basements and roofs concealed behind parapets
6.198
The mature trees within the open spaces (Cartwright Gardens and Argyle Square) contribute
to the character of the area The public realm retains various elements of historic interest
including statues within the gardens, York stone paving along Cartwright Gardens and Burton
Street, coal holes, gate posts and bollards.
Argyle Square
6.199
The area around Argyle Square was one of the last land parcels to be developed in the 1830s
and 1840s having been previously the site of the failed Panharmonium Gardens. The
surrounding streets, however, are likely to have been built earlier, Crestfield and Birkenhead
Street were built out from 1825; Argyle Street from 1826 and St. Chad’s Street from 1827. The
architectural and historic interest of this area is reflected in the fact that the majority of the
buildings are listed (grade II). The use of a large number of the properties as hotels gives has
given rise to a plethora of signage, additional down pipes and unsympathetic replacement of
sash windows that detract from the coherence of the frontages. Painting of brickwork in
individual properties disrupts the homogeneity of the terraces.
6.200
Four storey townhouses around the square have a restrained classical appearance with large
first floor windows, arched ground floor doors and a parapet concealing the roof. The east and
west sides are almost intact, but the south east corner was destroyed in WWII. Along the
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streets the buildings have similar detailing but are three storeys with a mansard, expressed
party wall and chimney stacks and pots. Most properties have consistent iron railings and
delicate balconies. Although unlisted and altered 45-47 Argyle Square is from the early 19th
Century and of consistent materials and themes. There are relatively few 20th century
interventions. Derbyshire House has a balanced façade with art deco influenced detailing, and
although five stories, is generally complementary in its appearance.
Cartwright Gardens and Surrounding Streets
6.201
The crescent form Cartwright Gardens may reflect the influence of Nash at Regent’s Park and
marks a change from the rectangular forms of the square. Its use as student accommodation
and as a hotel has had some impact on the consistency of the facades The street pattern
remains intact and a large number of the buildings are listed reflecting the interest of the area.
The curve of the crescent is focussed along Burton Place to the British Medical Association
(Grade II*) which was built on the site of Burton’s House (1911-1925). The red brick contrasts
with surrounding development highlighting it as a focal point. The buildings have lower wings
which form the frontage to Burton Place.
6.202
Residential use has remained along Burton Street which is made up of consistent terraces of
mainly four storey houses although there are some two storey buildings as the southern end.
There is a notable contrast in the transition between the enclosed Burton Street and the open
space.
6.203
There are few other later interventions. Leonard and Virginia Court are the most recent, in a
classical style. At the northern end of Burton Street and east of Dukes Road there are a
cluster of more decorative late 19th and early 20th century buildings that mark the change in
the area from a residential suburb to a more mixed area. Flaxman Lodge is in red brick and
render, its copper cupolas and circular bays providing interest and a local landmark. The art
nouveau railings and window detailing and materials are carried though to the larger scale
Flaxman Court. The yellow brick Victorian buildings on Dukes Road, including a former drill
hall and butterscotch factory of Messrs Callard and Bowser contrast with the rest of the area,
being larger footprint buildings, with greater decoration and varied treatment.
6.204
Woburn Walk is a small pedestrianised street, designed by Thomas Cubitt in 1822. The listed
three storey townhouses with ground floor shops on which line this street the west side of
Duke’s Road are stuccoed with retained regency shopfronts, although those in Dukes Road
are used as offices. The public realm is of particular interest contributing to the quality and
historic character of the street.
6.205
Remnants of the early 19th century terraced streets, mainly designed and built by Burton, also
remain to the south and east of Cartwright Gardens. There are a notable number of listed
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buildings in these streets, with more widespread late 19th and 20th century development along
Tavistock Place and Marchmont street. Whilst the majority of properties are four stories there
is a terrace of more modest two storey properties on Thanet Street. There are notable views of
the butterfly forms of the backs of these properties from Judd Street and from Thanet street to
Judd Street.
6.206
The properties on the wider Judd, Marchmont and Leigh Street are four storeys and a number
have had shopfronts inserted in the 19th century, a number of which retain interesting
traditional details. Marchmont Street, originating in the early 1790s and initially largely
residential had by 1840 developed into a typical Victorian ‘High Street’. There are also a
number of public houses of this period with fine frontages including The Norfolk Arms (28
Leigh Street) and The John Russell on Marchmont Street. Most buildings in this area are
characterised as having stucco ground floors and upper floors built out of London stock brick.
Nearly all of the houses have traditional style sash windows, with rubbed brick window heads.
Windows heads along Marchmont Street are more elaborate with a mix of stone and stucco
pediments, and decorative window surrounds. Other recurring features in this area are the
consistency of the iron railings fronting most properties, and the wrought iron window
balconies.
Tavistock Place
6.207
Tavistock Place is a busier street that is more mixed in character with a larger proportion of
buildings dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The height and articulation of the
early 19th century four storey townhouses on the south side is echoed in the larger scale but
continuous block at No. 15. Elsewhere there a predominance of red brick, ornate detailing with
a larger number of taller and larger scale mansion buildings. Also of interest is the arts and
crafts influenced Mary Ward Hall.
Sub Area 15: Calthorpe/Frederick Street
6.208
This area comprises an area of mainly terraced housing built on the Swinton and Calthorpe
estates to the east of Gray’s Inn Road, an historic route dating back at least to Medieval times.
It is one of the few part of the conservation that has a noticeable fall being on the west side of
the valley of the, now culverted, River Fleet. The northernmost part around Swinton Street was
developed in the late 18th Century following the construction of Euston Road and a small
suburb to the north of this area around Battle Bridge. The remainder of the area was
developed over the period 1820 to 1850 by builder Thomas Cubitt who had his yard in this
area. A notable pattern is the progression of development from west to east and the gradual
variation in the detailed treatment of the frontages.
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6.209
There is considerable consistency in the appearance of the terraced streets, many of which
remain in a primarily residential use, interspersed with public houses. Many of these
residential streets have a generous width. Notable is the use of yellow brick and increasing
use of stucco that became popular from around 1820 and is evident in the rusticated ground
floors. The interest of this area is highlighted by the number of listed terraces.
6.210
The built form is characterised by fine urban grain of repeated terrace forms arranged in long
terraces of consistent plot width, relationship to the street (with railings and basements) and
parapet roof lines. There is a repeated pattern of vertically proportioned sash windows and
arched doors, fanlights and ground floor windows. Other predominant and repeated features
include balconies, rubbed brick window heads, mansard roofs, chimney sacks and pots. The
buildings are generally three or four storeys although there is are more modest scaled two
storey terraces on Wren and Pakenham Streets. A Nash inspired emphasis of grander
properties with pilasters is given to the properties terminating vistas, and a terrace as a whole
composition is evident on Frederick Street.
6.211
Grays Inn Road is a wide, busy route and has a more varied character than the quieter side
streets with a coarser grain where piecemeal development has occurred over the 19th and 20th
Centuries and a mix of more commercial, community and hospital uses. There greater variety
in the materials used along Grays Inn Road, particularly in the later developments although
the predominant material is London stock brick. The architectural detailing also has consistent
themes including a strong vertical definition with the same rhythmic window patterns and
height as buildings in more residential parts of the sub area.
6.212
There is no formal open space apart from St Andrews Gardens, located east of Gray’s Inn
Road, a former 18th century burial ground which became a garden in the 19th century. .
Swinton Street/ Acton Street
6.213
Swinton Street, built on land acquired from Henry Gough in 1776, by Builders James and
Peter Swinton, has a busier character as a result of the road system. Whilst there is overall
consistency in height, building type and materials there are subtle variations in the design of
frontages (increasing decoration and use of stucco) that indicates that this street was built
over a period of years (staring in the late 18th and completing its eastern extension in 1844).
Acton Street also extended eastwards from Grays Inn Road and is generally consistent in its
detailing. Either side of the railway are some later Victorian buildings, some with more of a
warehouse character and terraced houses with some red brick detailing. Around the junction
with Kings Cross Road are some consistent terraced properties with ground floor shops,
assumed to have been inserted in the 19th century, slightly more ornate stucco detailing and
curved corners at the junction. An issue in this area is inappropriate signage and shopfronts.
LON\73249_1.DOC
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6.214
There are two stucco faced public houses. The Swinton Arms Public House is back to back
with the Queens Arms. Both are though to have been established from the mid 19th Century
and retain much interest in their facades. Swinton Place is defined by the gables of properties
on adjoining streets and gives views of the plainer rear elevations of adjoining terraces which
maintain much of their original character and windows, although a rash of satellite dishes has
appeared.
Frederick Street/ Ampton Street
6.215
Most of the buildings in this area date from the 1820’s to 1840’s and were designed and built
by Thomas and William Cubitt with development progressing from west to east, although there
have been some areas of post war redevelopment. There is slightly greater use of render in
these generally quieter streets and a grander approach to the design of the elevations with
pilasters, pediments and projections with the design of the whole terrace as a composition
(particularly evident on Frederick Street). The detailing in this area also includes porticos, not
seen in the streets to the north.
6.216
The Field Lane Foundation Centre, formerly the Arthur Street Baptist Chapel, is the only non
residential building and a feature on Cubitt Street.
Calthorpe/ Wren/Pakenham Streets
6.217
This is a consistent area of terraces dating from the 1820s in the west to the 1840s in the east.
Whilst the terraces have consistent height, they reduce from three and two storeys (Wren and
Pakenham Streets) and four and three storeys on Calthorpe Street moving away from Gray’s
Inn Road. Closer to Gray’s Inn road the houses have simple brick facades with an increase in
decoration moving east. Pakenham Street carries on the two storey terrace of consistent, but
unlisted, properties from Wren Street, but with a broad band of brickwork at the parapet.
6.218
Wren Street, named Wells Street until 1937 reflected the former 18th century spa of Bagnigge
Wells. The gables are notable for their treatment with stucco and window openings. A
distinctive single storey shop unit marks the corner of Phoenix Place although much altered is
notable and is seen in conjunction with the red brick public house opposite.
Gray’s Inn Road/Kings Cross Road
6.219
These main routes are wider busier streets with fragments of terraced townhouses developed
in the early 19th Century, a number of which are listed. The southern end of Grays Inn Road is
the most consistent, reflected in its listing, whereas the terraces at the northern end of Grays
Inn although consistent in age and style are unlisted. Further north these are interspersed with
development from the later 19th and 20th centuries including the Eastman Dental Hospital
(1926 and 1930), the 19th century buildings associated with the former Trinity Church and the
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London Welsh Centre. Issues in this area have been vacancies in commercial uses and
inappropriate signage, replacement windows and shop fronts.
6.220
St Andrew’s Gardens, provides a setting for the properties on Wren Street. The land was
acquired in 1747, as an overspill burial ground for St Andrew’s, Holborn. Now it is used as a
recreational public open space and provides a notable view from Gray’s Inn Road.
6.221
A group of taller 20th century buildings at the northern end detract from the character of the
adjoining terraced streets due to their height and bulk.
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7.0
AUDIT
Introduction
7.1
An audit of the fabric of the Conservation Area has been undertaken to identify listed
buildings, unlisted buildings that contribute to the character and appearance of the
Conservation Area.
Buildings and streetscape and other elements that detract from its
character and appearance are also identified. These are set out on a sub area basis and are
included in Appendix 3, with plans in Appendix 4.
Listed buildings
7.2
Within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area there are in excess of 1000 listed buildings and
structures on the statutory list of buildings of Architectural or Historic Interest. Of all listed
buildings 4% are Grade II* and 2% Grade I. As can be seen from the sub area plans, the
number of listed buildings within the area and the high proportion of both individual buildings
and groups of buildings that are Grade I or Grade II* highlights the historic and architectural
significance of this area. A number of gardens and squares within the area are on the Register
of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. These are identified on the sub-area plans.
Buildings and groups of buildings that make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area
7.3
In addition to the buildings that are on the statutory list there are a large number of individual
buildings and groups of buildings that contribute to the character of their immediate
surroundings and the Conservation Area as a whole. Whilst some of these buildings may have
experienced minor alterations over the years, they contribute as part of a group.
Elements of streetscape that make a positive contribution to the Conservation Area
7.4
The character and the appearance of the Conservation Area are not solely a function of its
buildings. Elements within the public realm, such as original pavement materials, boundary
walls and signage and vegetation and mature trees, contribute greatly to the area’s quality,
character and appearance.
Buildings and features that detract from the character of the area
7.5
Inevitably there are buildings that detract from the character and appearance of the
Conservation Area. This may be due to a building’s scale, materials, relationship to the street
or due to the impact of alterations and extensions. There are also structures and elements of
streetscape that impinge on the character and quality of the Conservation Area.
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Opportunity sites
7.6
There are a few currently vacant sites within the area. There are also in a very limited number
of parts of the Conservation Area buildings, which neither preserve nor enhance the area and
their redevelopment may be considered appropriate, subject to an acceptable replacement
coming forward.
7.7
There is a presumption to retain buildings that make a positive contribution to the character of
the area. Buildings considered to be examples of high quality modern or distinctive design
have also been judged as making a positive contribution to the character of the area.
Detractors are elements of the townscape that are considered to be so significantly out of
scale or character with their surroundings that their replacement, with something of a more
appropriate scale and massing or detailed architectural treatment would benefit the character
and appearance of the area. Detractors may also include gaps in frontages that disrupt the
prevailing street pattern. Elements that are neutral broadly conform with the overriding scale,
form, materials and elevational characteristics of their context. The integrity and nature of the
context are consequently influential in making this judgement.
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
English Heritage Guidance on the Management of Conservation Areas advises that
following an appraisal of the conservation area, a strategy for its management in the mid
to long term should be developed to address issues identified through the appraisal. This
report identifies the key management issues for the Bloomsbury Conservation Area
based on the recent appraisal of its character and appearance.
1.2
The Character Appraisal and this associated Management Plan seek to provide a clear
basis for the assessment of proposals and identify an approach to addressing issues that
have the potential to impact on the special interest of Bloomsbury.
Whilst these
documents would normally be combined, the scale of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area
has lead to them being set out in two separate volumes (to be discussed).
1.3
The aims of the Management Plan are to:
i)
inform interested parties of how the Council intends to secure the preservation
and/or enhancement of the Conservation Area;
ii)
set out an approach to consultation on the management of the conservation area;
iii)
confirm how issues identified through the character appraisal will be tackled;
iv)
identify specific policy or design guidance that is relevant to the Conservation Area
to support the development control function and those preparing applications for
planning permission, listed building consent and Conservation Area consent;
v)
identify areas where the overview provided by the Conservation Area Appraisal
suggests that site-specific Development Brief would assist the management of the
conservation area and decision-making processes;
vi)
identify areas that may benefit from specific enhancement proposals should
funding become available; and,
vii)
identify the management tools available to the Council through legislation.
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2.0
MONITORING AND REVIEW
Monitoring
2.1
The Council will continue to monitor listed buildings within the conservation area that are
at risk as well as other listed buildings to determine whether further action is necessary to
safeguard the listed building and its special interest.
Review
2.2
The Council is required to undertake periodic review of the Bloomsbury Conservation
Area to ensure that the special interest is being maintained and protected to re-evaluate
boundaries and see whether there are areas which justify inclusion or whether there are
areas which have deteriorated to such an extent that their special interest has been lost.
2.3
As part of the review process the Council will:
undertake a visual appraisal;
maintain a searchable photographic record of listed buildings within the area on the
Council website, ensuring that this is updated as new buildings are added;
record the character of streets and areas;
maintain and update a record of other aspects of interest within the conservation
area including shopfronts of merit and the historic fabric of the public realm; and,
consider current issues impacting on the character and appearance of the
conservation area.
2.4
As part of the most recent character area appraisal (June 2006), the following has been
reviewed: current issues, conservation area boundaries, positive contributors to the
conservation area, negative elements, shopfronts of merit and elements of streetscape
interest.
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3.0
MAINTAINING CHARACTER
General Approach
3.1
The following approach to maintaining the special interest of the Bloomsbury
Conservation will be adopted as part of the strategy for its effective management:
16.
the Bloomsbury Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan will be
periodically reviewed to ensure that these documents remain sufficiently current to
enable its effective management and decision-making on new development within
the area;
17.
the list of buildings and other features which, in addition to those already included
on the statutory list, positively contribute to the character or appearance of the
Bloomsbury Conservation Area, will be kept under review to aid decision-making
and the preparation of proposals;
18.
applications for development will be determined having regard to the special
interest of the conservation area and the specialist advice of conservation officers;
19.
in accordance with the relevant legislation most applications for development within
the Conservation Area are required to include a Design and Access Statement.
This will be required to adequately explain the design approach and context of the
proposals and be accompanied by sufficient, accurate drawings of the existing site,
its context as well as the proposed development;
20.
where relevant and possible supplementary planning documents including design
guidance and planning briefs will be produced;
21.
in undertaking its development control function the Council will ensure that the
historic details which are an essential part of the special architectural character of
Bloomsbury Conservation Area are preserved, repaired and reinstated where
appropriate;
22.
the Council will seek to ensure that the departments responsible for the
environment (highways/landscape/planning/conservation and urban design) work
in an effective, co-ordinated and consultative manner to ensure that historic
interest within the public realm is maintained and enhanced where appropriate;
and,
23.
the Council will continue to consult the Conservation Area Advisory Committees
and local amenity societies on applications which may impact on the special
interest of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area and seek their inputs in relation to
ongoing management issues.
Policy and Legislation
3.2
Recent revisions to the planning system mean that the currently adopted Camden Unitary
Development Plan (2006) which forms the basis of decision-making for development
proposals in the Borough will be replaced by a new Local Development Framework in
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2010. There is a requirement for greater public consultation as part of this revised policy
framework including conservation policy (both general and specific) which will in part
meet the objective of there being greater consultation on the management of the
Conservation Area.
3.3
Detailed policies that are currently applicable in the Bloomsbury Conservation Area are
listed in Appendix 1 together with a link to the relevant section of the adopted UDP.
3.4
In the review of planning policy to be undertaken as part of the LDF process the Council
will consider the objectives of preserving or enhancing the interest of Bloomsbury
Conservation Area. The Council will maintain a policy framework that seeks to preserve
or enhance the character or appearance of conservation areas in the context of the most
up to date Government Guidance and strategic policy set out in the London Plan. The
Council will identify any areas that are under pressure of significant change and consider
the need for, where appropriate, more targeted spatial policy in the form of Area Action
Plans.
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8.0
BOUNDARY CHANGES CONSIDERED
8.1
The boundary of the Conservation Area has been reviewed as part of this study. Two
aspects of the boundary have been reviewed: first whether the current boundaries are
logical, albeit for other management and administrative reasons limited change is
preferred by the Council; and second, whether there are any areas that should be added
into the conservation area.
Adjustments to Conservation Area Boundaries
8.2
The following have been considered at the request of the Council and are discussed
below:
viii)
The creation of a separate Fitzroy Square conservation area
ix)
The addition into the conservation area of The Strand Conservation Area
Creation of a Fitzroy Square Conservation Area
8.3
Whilst there are similarities with the rest of Bloomsbury, in terms of the development of
the urban form, the terraced streets and formally planned square, this area’s physical
separation from the rest of the area suggests that it would be more appropriate as an
independent conservation area. There is sufficiently different interest in the historical and
architectural genesis of this area to warrant a separate conservation area.
Inclusion of the Strand Conservation Area within Bloomsbury
8.4
This area has been reviewed as part of the conservation area appraisal for Bloomsbury.
A case could be made for the inclusion of this small conservation area within the
boundary of Bloomsbury Conservation Area as it is sufficiently similar to and contiguous
with Bloomsbury. It has a similar street pattern of narrow passageways seen elsewhere in
this part of the conservation area and has a predominance of legal uses relating to its
evolution as an area adjoining Lincoln’s Inn.
Extensions to the Bloomsbury Conservation Area
8.5
The following extensions to the boundaries of the conservation area have been
considered. Images of these areas and a plan showing their location and extent are
contained in Appendix 5:
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i)
Torrington Place to Store Street
ii)
Western end Acton Street
iii)
Marchmont Street to Hunter Street
iv)
Herbrand Street
v)
Herbrand Estate
vi)
Gray’s Inn Road
vii)
Mabledon Place to Whidbourne Street
viii)
New North Street/Boswell Court
i) Torrington Place- Store Street:
Suggested to rationalise the western boundary of the
Conservation Area and provide greater degree of protection of buildings that make a positive
contribution to the character of the area and to the setting of listed buildings. The mansion blocks
along Ridgemount Gardens and the group of buildings fronting Chenies Street (Drill Hall and
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art). There, however, are a number of buildings of limited quality
along Ridgemount Street (College of Law) within this area.
ii) Acton Street/Kings Cross Road: At the western end of Acton Street and on the Kings Cross
frontage there are a number of terraced properties whose character and qualities are not
significantly different to those elsewhere within the conservation area. There is interest in the
retained terraced forms, the 19th century decoration applied to the frontages and in particular the
elevations of the public houses. There are issues of inappropriate signage and shopfronts and
there are intervening properties of limited quality that would be classified as neutral. However, the
majority of properties in this area, if part of the conservation area, would be positive contributors.
iii) Marchmont Street to Hunter Street: The development within this block mainly dates from
the late Victorian/Edwardian Period. It contains the Territorial Army Centre in a former Drill Hall
(1908), a consistent parade of shops which encloses the east side of Marchmont Street (in which
remain some good quality shop fronts), a Victorian Warehouse building and a terrace and late
Victorian and Edwardian Mansion flats of differing scales, detail and quality. The majority would
be defined as positive contributors if part of the conservation area
iv) Herbrand Street/Bernard Street: The frontage to Bernard Street contains a series of red
brick buildings with stone detailing assumed to date from the turn of the 19th century. The greatest
interest is in the elevation of the former bank that marks the junction with Russell Square. To the
north is the listed 1930’s art deco former Daimler Garage built by Wallis, Gilbert and Partners
(architects of the Hoover Factory). Turning the corner onto Coram Street is a red brick building
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similar in style to those on the Bernard Street frontage which is seen together with the north side
of Coram Street is a further inter-war red brick building.
v) Herbrand Estate: An estate of consistent late Victorian (1898) Peabody Housing. Imposing
blocks in a yellow-grey brick with contrasting banding. The LCC development on the opposite
side is later, displaying some arts and crafts influence. Whilst consistent management of the
Estate by the Peabody Trust there is unlikely to be pressure for change to building fabric. A case
could be made for regularising the boundary of the conservation area and including these blocks.
vi) Gray’s Inn Road: The blocks between King’s, John’s and Brownlow Mews and Gray’s Inn
Road contain a number of terraces, mews properties and a public house that would be positive
contributors if located within the conservation area. Of particular interest in its detailed elevations
is the Yorkshire Grey Public House. On the Gray’s Inn Road frontage some of the terraces are
much altered, particularly at ground level and others have been rebuilt, but there remain a
number that retain the majority of their historic interest. Of interest along Kings Mews are nos.2022 as well as 1 Northington Street.
vii) Mabledon Place to Whidborne Street: This is a relatively consistent area of development
including a large number of mansion flat blocks from the turn of the 20th Century, which was
developed to replace the earlier terraced housing. The different approaches to the design of
these mansion blocks is clearly seen across this area. On the western part of the area buildings
are mostly constructed in red brick whereas on the eastern side of this area development is in
yellow and buff brick. The area includes along, Bidborough Street, the National Union of
Teachers Building (1913), a telephone exchange, and a number of mansion flats. There are a
number of public houses, a small part of a terrace and a church that remain from the earlier
development but which are scattered around the area.
Adjoining the Argyle Square are small buildings on Whidborne Street which appear to date from
the mid 18th Century. These form a group with the school which are perhaps of the greatest
interest.
viii) New North Street/Boswell Court: An isolated area of 19th Century development that has
remained and is surrounded by 20th century development of limited quality.
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4.0
MANAGEMENT OF CHANGE
Current Issues
8.6
There is significant pressure for new development within the Bloomsbury Conservation
Area. This includes proposals for new development, alterations and extensions to existing
buildings and changes of use. Developments over the recent decades have influenced
the character and appearance of the Conservation Area. Other factors that have
influenced the character and appearance of the area include the cumulative impact of
advertisements, signage and street furniture within the street and the impact of traffic.
New Development
8.7
The pressure for new development has largely arisen as a result of the expansion of the
major institutions based within the Conservation Area. This has included some large
scale redevelopment proposals. Other pressures have historically included retail
redevelopment along the main shopping frontages and office redevelopments, although
this has been less influential in recent years. Where new development has not been
successful in terms of preserving or enhancing the character and appearance of the
Conservation Area, this has generally been due to one of the following:
The use of inappropriate materials or detailing
Inappropriate scale, bulk, height and massing
Inappropriate relationship to the street and neighbouring properties
Alterations to Existing Buildings
8.8
Alterations and extensions can have a detrimental impact either cumulatively or
individually on the character and appearance of the area. Examples within the area
include:
Inappropriate external painting, cleaning and pointing of brickwork.
Inappropriate design of extensions including the size and proportions of openings.
The use of inappropriate materials/ inappropriately detailed doors and windows.
Inappropriate roof level extensions- particularly where these interrupt the
consistency of a uniform terrace or the prevailing scale and character of a block, are
overly prominent in the street.
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Extensions of excessive scale, massing or height.
Addition of prominent roof level plant/ fire escapes that detract from both the building
and character and appearance of the area.
Satellite dishes and aerials
Inappropriately proportioned replacement shopfront elements that are unsympathetic
to the proportions and scale of the building or street into which they have been
added.
Loss of original details such as traditional shopfront elements, frontage railings and
balconies, cornicing at parapet level, chimneys and chimney stacks.
Inappropriate signage and excessive signage, including large scale hoardings
Changes of Use
8.9
The uses within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area have changed over time. Changes of
use have included expansion of the university into the former terraces and into offices,
the change of use from residential to hotel and hostel use. The reuse of buildings for
various uses may have implications for the character and appearance of the area. This
can include:
Unsympathetic amalgamation of terraces to accommodate a larger use, particularly
the interruption of the pattern of the repeated terraced frontages within the street and
the need for plant and servicing
Subdivision of houses into flats where this leads to a proliferation of building
services.
Loss of vitality arising from the loss of a mix of small scale uses within an area
Loss of a concentration of specialist uses within an area where these contribute to
the character of an area (such as loss of small specialist shops characteristic of the
Museum Street Area to A3 (food and drink) uses.
Small scale developments within /changes to the public realm
8.10
Building frontages, roads, pavements and the squares are all important elements of the
public realm and the cumulative impact of small scale additions can have an overall
detrimental impact on the character of the area. Such additions can include:
Loss of frontage railings
Loss of original/interesting streetscape elements
Unsympathetic surfacing materials
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Clutter of street furniture
Visual clutter from excessive signage and flags
Telecommunications
8.11
The increase in the number of mobile phone users is leading to an increased demand by
operators for telecommunications equipment. Masts are frequently mounted on tall
buildings and could potentially be prominent within the Conservation Area.
Traffic
8.12
The amount of traffic within the area and problems with parking have resulted in the
introduction of parking controls and one way systems. These have an impact on the
character and appearance of an area as a result of the visual clutter associated with the
signage and street furniture
Investment and Maintenance
4.1
The appraisal has indicated that the character of the Bloomsbury Conservation Area is
vulnerable to negative change through incremental deterioration of built fabric arising
from neglect and lack of maintenance of buildings. Some of the streets in which this is
particularly evident are the areas dominated by hotels, student accommodation and
hostels and also areas dominated by heavy traffic, where residential and hotel uses may
be less attractive:
Swinton Street
Guilford Street
Gower Street
Argyle Square and surrounding area
Cartwright Gardens
Bedford Place/Montague x
4.2
There is also evidence of some lack of investment or poor standards of maintenance in
secondary commercial/shopping areas, for example along King's Cross Road, Gray's Inn
Road and Marchmont Street.
4.3
The quality of the public realm and particularly the pedestrian spaces can make an
important contribution to the character of the area. The quality can be adversely affected
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by a range of factors including the proliferation of visual clutter (e.g. signage, posts,
bollards), inappropriate surfacing, covering/removal of historic surfacing.
4.4
The Council will seek to ensure that its own investment in the public realm in the
Conservation Area respects and enhances its special character and will look for
opportunities to make specific, appropriate enhancements to the public realm and
particularly to the pedestrian environment as one way of supporting the preservation of
the area’s distinctive character through the streetscape manual and internal consultation.
The replacement of remaining lampposts of historic interest in parts of the conservation
area emphasises the need for consultation with conservation officers.
4.5
The distinctive character of the Conservation Area will not be preserved or enhanced by
standardised or poor quality approaches to property maintenance or occupation.
Listed Buildings
4.6
Bloomsbury Conservation Area has many fine buildings which because of their special
architectural or historic interest are protected by statutory listing and a significant
proportion are of exceptional interest (grade I or II*). They form a very important part of
the historic quality and character of the area.
4.7
To check if a property is Listed and for Listed Building advice contact www.camden.gov.uk/planning/listed buildings or www.english-heritage.org.uk
Buildings at Risk
4.8
The following listed buildings within the Conservation Area are on English Heritage’s
Buildings at Risk Register (2006); as set out below:
Building Address
Priority
Category
Condition
Comments
7 Burton Street
C
Fair
Vacant
240 Gray’s Inn Road
F
Fair
Refurbishment of upper
floors
Public conveniences,
Guilford Street
C
Poor
66 Guilford Street
D
Poor
Vacant
67-69 Guilford Street
(Consec.)
D
Poor
Vacant
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70-72 Guilford Street
(Consec.)
D
Poor
Vacant
58-66 Huntley Street
C
Poor
Part-occupied
11 and13 Swinton Street
65 Swinton Street
C
D
Poor
Poor
Part-occupied
Vacant
2 Wren Street
9 Calthorpe Street
39 Great James Street
93 Judd Street
C
C
C
Fair
Poor
Fair
Poor
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Part-occcupied
Maintenance and Repair of Listed Buildings
4.9
The Council will keep the condition of properties on the Buildings at Risk Register and
other listed buildings under review on at least an annual basis. Owners will be
encouraged to maintain their buildings regularly to ensure their condition is improved or
appropriately and adequately maintained so that important historic buildings and their
architectural features are preserved. The Council will support owners by providing advice
and links to available resources provided by other organisations via the website to assist
with this (e.g. Georgian Group/English Heritage/maintain your building).
4.10
Owners will be encouraged to keep listed buildings occupied and in an appropriate use.
The most appropriate use will be to retain a listed building in its original use. Other uses
may be considered if it can be demonstrated that the original use cannot be viably
maintained and any other more sympathetic uses are unviable. Most new uses will
require planning permission and should not harm the integrity of the building. Listed
building consent will be required for any internal alterations to listed buildings.
Listed Building Enforcement Powers
4.11
Listed building enforcement powers will be used to secure essential urgent works or
repairs to secure the preservation of the building.
4.12
In the most extreme cases of deliberate neglect of listed buildings the Council will
exercise its powers to undertake the work at the owner’s cost or compulsorily purchase
the property ensuring that there is provision for the subsequent repair of the building.
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Unlisted Buildings
4.13
There are unlisted buildings within the Conservation Area that have also suffered from a
lack of investment and maintenance. These are most notable in the following areas
mostly at upper levels:
Red Lion Street
Theobold’s Road
Gray’s Inn Road
King’s Cross Road
Coptic Street/Museum Street
4.14
The routine and regular maintenance of all buildings within Bloomsbury Conservation
area will be encouraged to help ensure the preservation of the special character and
appearance of the Conservation Area.
4.15
The following measures will be considered to stimulate maintenance and care of unlisted
buildings:
information will be provided on the importance of regular maintenance on the
Council’s website;
other organisations/websites providing advice on these matters will be highlighted
on the Council’s website;
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initiatives that will enhance the character or appearance of Bloomsbury Conservation
Area will be encouraged;
information on current funding sources will be provided and if appropriate the Council
will apply for funding through special schemes;
the Council will encourage the re-use of premises above shops and other commercial
buildings to prevent vacancies and maintain vibrancy in along shopping streets; and,
consider in conjunction with English Heritage the Secretary of State for Culture, Media
and Sport whether an urgent works notice should be served to secure emergency or
immediate repairs to arrest deterioration can be served on the unoccupied parts of
unlisted buildings
Demolition
4.16
The total or substantial demolition of an unlisted building requires Conservation Area Consent.
In accordance with relevant Government guidance, the Council will normally expect all
buildings that make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of the Conservation
Area to be retained. Any proposals for the demolition of an unlisted building would need to be
fully and robustly justified in terms of the requirements set out in PPG15. The Council would
need to be convinced of any case for demolition.
4.17
Demolition of a building is unlikely to be permitted without an appropriate redevelopment
scheme and some certainty that this would be implemented.
Control over New Development
4.18
It is clear from the Conservation Area appraisal that there is considerable pressure for
redevelopment and new development across Bloomsbury. This pressure comes from a
number of sources of different scales:
4.19
i)
the expansion and need for refurbishment and redevelopment of buildings associated
with the major institutions in the area;
ii)
a range of small scale change that can, cumulatively, have a significant impact on the
character of an area (e.g. roof extensions; rear extensions, satellite dishes and aerials,
fire escapes, plant);
iii)
commercial pressure for new offices and retail-related developments including
replacement shopfronts;
iv)
changes of use; and,
v)
advertisements.
High quality new development that is appropriate for its context can preserve and enhance the
conservation area. To secure appropriate new development the Council has adopted a
number of detailed policies (in Appendix 1) that development will need to comply with. An
appropriate level of information will also be required as part of the application submission to
enable the Council to determine the effect of any development proposal on the character or
appearance of the Conservation Area.
General
4.20
Development proposals must preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the
Bloomsbury Conservation Area. This requirement applies equally to developments which are
outside the conservation area but would affect its setting or views into or out of the area.
4.21
High quality design and high quality execution will be required of all new development at all
scales. It will be important that applications contain sufficient information to enable the Council
assess the proposals.
4.22
Proposals which seek to redevelop those buildings and spaces which are considered to have
a negative impact on the special character or the appearance of the Conservation Area with
appropriate new development will be encouraged.
4.23
Design and Access Statements accompanying applications will be expected specifically to
address the particular characteristics identified in the appraisal including the formality and
regularity of terraced forms and the prevailing scale, mass, form and rhythm created by the
historic pattern of development. The appraisal has demonstrated that a high quality successful
modern design can be accommodated and enhance the Conservation Area, by carefully
assessing and responding to the form and qualities of surrounding buildings and spaces.
4.24
The appearance of all buildings of historic interest (listed and unlisted) within the Conservation
Area is harmed by the removal or loss of original architectural features and the use of
inappropriate materials. For example, the loss of original joinery, sash windows, porches and
front doors, can have considerable negative impact on the appearance of a historic building
and the area. Insensitive re-pointing, painting or inappropriate render will harm the
appearance and the long-term durability of historic brickwork.
4.25
In all cases the Council will expect original architectural features and detailing to be retained,
protected, refurbished in the appropriate manner, and only replaced where it can be
demonstrated that they are beyond repair.
4.26
In preparing development proposals consideration should be given to whether the
development will affect an archaeological priority area or view corridors to and from St Paul's.
Development Proposals by Major Landowners
4.27
Early dialogue will be encouraged in relation to significant new development proposals within
the Conservation Area.
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4.28
Major landowners anticipating on-going change will be encouraged to prepare an Estate
Management Plan or Development Framework in consultation with the Council to identify key
development projects and Estate Management issues.
Small scale non-residential development
4.29
The same attention to detailed design and high quality smaller alterations such as shop fronts,
signage, and extensions. These can harm the character and appearance of the area to an
extent belied by their individual scale.
4.30
The Conservation Area retains many diverse historic rooflines which it is important to
preserve. Fundamental changes to the roofline, insensitive alterations, poor materials,
intrusive dormers, or inappropriate windows can harm the historic character of the roofscape
and will not be acceptable. Of particular interest are butterfly roof forms, parapets,
chimneystacks and pots and expressed party walls.
4.31
Within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area there are many interesting examples of historic rear
elevations. The original historic pattern of rear elevations within a street or group of buildings
is an integral part of the character of the area and as such rear extensions will not be
acceptable where they would compromise the special character.
4.32
The railings and basements along the majority of frontages are an important facet of the
character of the area. The Council will resist the loss of original railings and infilling of
basement lightwells where this forms part of the area’s character. However, where the
introduction of shops has resulted in the infilling of basements and the streetscape is
characterised by the pavement extending to the building, the excavation of the basement
would not normally be acceptable.
4.33
Prominent external telecommunications apparatus, including cable runs, can harm the
appearance of an historic building. Efforts should be made to find discrete solutions
appropriate to the character of the area. Guidance on the installation of telecommunication
equipment including mobile phone masts, satellite dishes and aerials can be found in the
Camden Supplementary Design Guide or by contacting the Planning Services above.
4.34
Where appropriate the Council will have regard to the feasibility of installing air-handling
equipment so that the position, particularly in visually sensitive locations and in the proximity of
residential accommodation, will protect local amenity and preserve the appearance of the
Conservation Area.
4.35
Fire escapes should be located wherever possible in a position that do not detract from the
appearance of the Conservation Area. If they are evident from the public realm particular
attention will need to be paid to the materials, colour and detailing.
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Commercial Developments
4.36
There are pockets of commercial activity within the conservation area notably, along Gray’s
Inn Road, Kings Cross Road, Store Street, around Red Lion Street/Lamb’s Conduit Street
within the Hallway Street, Museum Street and within the High Holborn/New Oxford
Street/Tottenham Court Road Sub Areas. The shopfronts that remain from the 19th and early
20th centuries and are an important element in the character of these areas. The important
historic shopfronts have been noted in the appraisal.
4.37
All historic shopfronts within the Conservation Area contribute to the special character and
their retention is particularly important. The Council expects all historic shopfronts to be
retained and restored in the appropriate manner.
4.38
The installation of a new shop front, shutters and grilles and most alterations will need
planning permission. Inappropriate and poorly designed shopfronts detract from the character
and appearance of the Conservation Area. The Council expects the quality and design of new
shopfronts to respond sensitively to their historic setting and, importantly, the building frontage
as a whole.
4.39
There is a pattern of larger commercial development has occurred along the main arterial
routes. New commercial development should respect the scale of the street and its visual
impact on the wider area.
Changes of Use
4.40
Changes of use from individual residences to hotels and other forms of combined
accommodation has lead to a number of issues including the proliferation of services such as
drainage runs on frontages and the impacts of signage and loss of front doors.
Control of Advertisements
4.41
The installation of signage, particularly illuminated signage will usually require advertisement
consent. A proliferation of signage, even of an appropriate design, could harm the character of
the Conservation Area.
4.42
There are a number of hoardings within the Conservation Area, e.g. along Gray's Inn road
which detract from the visual amenity of the frontages. These are not considered acceptable
forms of advertising within the Conservation Area because of their size and scale.
Enforcement action in the form of a Discontinuance Notice to seek the removal of these
hoardings could be investigated.
4.43
New development may increase pressure for more intensive advertising. This will be resisted
where it is considered to detract from the character and appearance of the area.
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4.44
The proliferation of estate agents boards is an ongoing concern. The legislation concerning
the display of advertisements is contained principally in the Town & County Planning (Control
of Advertisement) Regulations 1992. One control mechanism is the use of Regulation 7. It is
not considered at this time that a Regulation 7 Order is justified at the present time but this will
be kept under review.
Development Briefs and Design Guidance
4.45
The Council will review the following sites with a view to preparing and adopting Planning
Briefs to guide large scale new development and development:
south side Guildford Street;
Red Lion Street (29-37);
Gray's Inn Road (300 and 308-320);
High Holborn/Bloomsbury Street;
Royal National Hotel;
4.46
Developers will be encouraged to work with the Council to prepare development briefs for
large new developments within the Conservation Area.
4.47
A range of guidance on development control issues is set out within the Camden Planning
Guide (adopted December 2006) and should be considered by applicants and their advisors.
This is available on the Councils website and will be applied in decision-making when
appropriate.
4.48
Other guidance includes guidance on sustainable development in Conservation Areas which
can be found on the Councils website. Further guidance in relation to listed buildings and their
repair and maintenance is available from English Heritage and organisation such as The
Georgian Group.
4.49
The Council will seek to maintain and update specific design guidance
Potential Enhancement Schemes/Programmes
4.50
Proposals for the enhancement of the Euston Road corridor should be considered in relation
to the desirability of preserving or enhancing elements of streetscape interest, particularly in
the vicinity of Euston Square.
4.51
The Council will make applications for funding as appropriate. Applications for funding under
the Townscape Heritage Initiative must include a Management Plan (or update this
Management Plan) to include
the heritage value of the area and problems posing a threat to it;
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planning policies;
proposed planning measures;
a framework for design standards; education and training;
community consultation and involvement; and
putting the management plan into practice
Public Realm
Streets
4.52
The appraisal has identified elements of historic streetscape interest within the conservation
area. These include York paving stones and slabs, cast iron bollards, coalhole covers and
other increasingly rare examples of historic street furniture add interest and character to the
public realm within the Conservation Area. It should be borne in mind that these lists may not
be exhaustive and in any streetscape proposals consideration should be given to the value
and retention of any elements of historic streetscape interest.
4.53
The Council has produced the Streetscape Design Manual to raise the standard of street
works consistently throughout the Borough. Reference should be made to this document and
consultation with conservation officers undertaken.
4.54
The planning authority will seek to encourage improvements to the public realm including the
reduction of street clutter and improved street lamps, wayfinding and signage design.
Information and advice can be found in the Council’s Streetscape Design Manual. English
Heritage guidance 'Streets for All' should also be reviewed.
Management of Trees and Landscape
4.55
The Squares are an essential characteristic of Bloomsbury and many are on the Register of
Historic Parks and Gardens. The mature trees within these squares play an important role in
the townscape. The mature trees across the conservation area are a valuable part of the
streetscape and make a positive contribution to its character and appearance. Proposed
works to trees require notice to be served on the Council.
4.56
Advice on street trees can be found at www.camden.gov.uk/streetscape.
4.57
On-going proposals for the enhancement of Bloomsbury’s Squares will continue to be
implemented. Opportunities for further enhancement and interpretation will be considered.
4.58
The Council’s free publication ‘A Guide to Trees in Camden’ contains information on the
benefits of tress and the law relating to trees in Conservation Areas.
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Traffic
4.59
The Conservation Area is in places particularly heavily trafficked which impacts not only on the
character and experience of those streets, but may also lead to be deterioration of listed
buildings due to air quality. Consideration will be given, in any traffic management proposals
to the potential impact on the special interest of the Conservation Area.
4.60
There are a number of issues that the Council may wish to consider in relation to the
management of the conservation area.
Promoting design quality
4.61
The Council will ensure continued consultation with the local Conservation Area Advisory
Committee and other local interest groups. Design awards and environment champions will be
used by the Council to encourage high quality design.
Enforcement
4.62
In addition to listed building enforcement powers, the Council has adopted an Enforcement
Policy for handling complaints of unauthorised development and will investigate and where
necessary take enforcement action against unauthorised works and changes of use. In
operating that policy special attention will be given to preserving or enhancing the special
qualities of the Conservation Area.
4.63
Guidance regarding enforcement issues can be found in PPG18: Enforcing Planning Control
and Circular 10/97: Enforcing Planning Control: Legislative Provision and Procedural
Requirements (published by DETR).
4.64
The Council will, if necessary, utilise powers under section 215 Town and Country Planning
Act 1990 to ensure that site that detract from the amenity of the Conservation Area.
4.65
The Council will consider the efficacy of using Completion Notices to secure the completion of
any unfinished works which are impacting on the area's appearance.
4.66
The use of an Article 4 direction within the Conservation Area to remove certain permitted
development rights is not considered to be appropriate in this area given the high proportion of
listed buildings and limited number of properties with permitted development rights.
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Resources
Publications and Guidance Notes
4.67
The Council will make available via its website a range of resources to assist businesses,
occupiers and developers in making applications that will meet the objective of preserving or
enhancing the special interest of the area.
Human Resources
4.68
In the context of limited financial and manpower resource available to the Council there is a
need for consideration to be given to the best focus of resources to secure the appropriate
management of the Conservation Area.
4.69
Given the nature of the Conservation Area with significant pressure for change and
development resources will therefore be focussed towards development control, site specific
policy guidance and enforcement action where this will deliver results.
4.70
The potential opportunities for the funding of physical enhancement works will however be
kept under review.
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Bibliography
Bailey, Nick, Fitzrovia Historical Publications/Camden History Society (1981)
Cherry, B. & Pevsner, N., The Buildings of England, London 4, Penguin (1998)
Denford & Hellings, Streets of Old Holborn, Camden History Society (1999)
Hayes, David, East of Bloomsbury: Streets, buildings and Former residents in a part of the London
Borough of Camden Camden History Society, 1998
Forshaw & Bergstrom, The Open Spaces of London Allison & Busby (1981)
Girling, Brian, Images of England- Holborn, Bloomsbury and Clerkenwell, Tempus Publishing Ltd
(1999)
LB Camden, A Bloomsbury Jubilee Walk
LB Camden, A Bloomsbury Walk
London County Council, Survey of London, Vol XXIV, 1952
London County Council, Survey of London, Vol XXI: Tottenham Court road and Neighbourhood
(Parish of St Pancras), 1949
Negley, Harte, The University of London 1836-1986: An Illustrated History, University Press (1986)
Olsen, Donald J., Town Planning In London: Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries, Yale University
Press (1982)
Richardson, John, History of Camden- Hampstead, Holborn & St Pancras, Historical Publications
Limited/ LB Camden (1999)
Summerson, John, Georgian London
Tames, Richard, Bloomsbury Past, Historical Publications Limited (1993)
Woodford, Peter F., Streets of Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia
Maps
Referred to:
1676 Ogilby and Morgan Map of London
1792 Horwood Map
1801 Fairburn Map
Bomb Damage Maps (Local History Library)
Included in Appendix
Roque’s Map 1746
1832 Map
OS Map 1871-1873
OS Map 1894
OS Map 1913-1914
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