Exploring the heritage of Walworth Road

282 Walworth Road is a locally listed building withinSouthwark. Local architects Purcell explore the building’s significance within the wider context of Walworth Road, itself a Conservation Area and Heritage Action Zone.

History

The Metropolitan Borough of Southwark had been formed in 1900, with Walworth at its centre. The previous century had seen the transformation of a Georgian neighbourhood to a hub of working class streets full of shops, warehouses and crowded homes. The beginning of the 20th century saw further Edwardian developments and new chains arriving such Marks and Spencer in 1913 and the single storey, Free Classical, NatWest bank circa 1910.

Walworth’s history is significant because it tells the story of an emerging working class from the late 18th century. The construction of bridges (Blackfriars and Westminster) and the associated new road systems brought change through the intensification of building. This saw the development around, what is now, East Street along with Crosby Row, which still remains, circa 1780-1820.

Walworth was badly hit during the bombing of the Second World War and the area was severely affected. The current form of East Street dates from the post war era. After this period the area saw mass demolition of the packed terraces that made up its surroundings and new tower blocks were built to accommodate existing and new residents moving to the area.

Recently there has been a noticeable decline of public houses in the area, many of the original ones have been turned into betting shops or retail units, a pattern that can be seen elsewhere in the country too. Many of the shops and street markets that once thrived have long since been in decline, with the exception of the East Street Market which still remains vibrant for street traders since its origins in the 1860s. The arrival of national chain stores, such as M&S and Boots continued into the late 20th century. With one of the last arrivals being the construction of Morrisons at No. 264-274. Built in the 1980s, it is set back from the historic building line and took the place of eight demolished 19th century buildings. However, there has been little development or investment to the high street since then. The 21st century has seen the commencement of mass redevelopment at each end of the Walworth Road (the Heygate and Aylesbury Estates), but it is now also the turn of the High Street.

282 Walworth Road (South London Press)

The South London Press building is in the north side of Walworth Road. It occupies a small footprint which is thought to be the original 1799 building plot line. It is a small unit being only 2 storeys high where most other buildings are 3+ storeys high; it also retains its original windows which are thought to date from 1830.

282 is set lower than the current street level which was raised some time after. This makes this building highly significant, despite its position today in an eclectic group of buildings, it still remains rather prominent (possibly for the wrong reasons now being in such poor condition).

The building is in poor condition due to the lack of maintenance and the presence of a number of defects, but it maintains some of the historic features, as the Georgian brick facade, the margin-light windows and the steep vernacular roof with catslide to the rear. The internal floor level is lowered than the street level, indicating that the property might have retained the historic street level. Whilst small, this building has the potential to be transformed completely thereby engaging other owners and the wider public in what is possible when you invest in heritage.

About Purcell

Founded in 1947, today Purcell is a creative collective of over 280 architects and heritage experts, working internationally from 14 studios across the globe. Our Employee owned organisational model underpins our collaborative approach. We are the world’s largest practice of architects working with the existing built environment, ranking in at No. 1 for Heritage in the World Architecture 100 since 2022. We are architects, masterplanners and heritage consultants. Our designs evolve from a deep understanding of our shared heritage and respond to the qualities of each place. We work to improve the lives of those who use our buildings, and the long-term sustainability of each project.

Purcell Architecture Ltd 15 Bermondsey Square, London, SE1 3UN

+44 (0)20 7397 7171 www.purcelluk.com