East End Heritage Celebrated

English Heritage Recognises Tower Hamlet's Unique Heritage
History from Edwardian Bow Road Police Station to Art-Deco Former New People's Palace, Listings Celebrate Olympic Borough's Architecture

Bow Road Police Station © English Heritage Walking along the streets that will link central London to the site of the Olympic Park, it is easy to overlook the historic buildings that line the route and so encapsulate the evocative history of London's East End.  However, the area’s special and unique heritage has now been formally recognised.  On the expert advice of English Heritage, the following have all been listed at grade ll by the Minsiter for Culture, Barbara Follett:

 
• Former Poplar Town Hall (now Bow House), Bow Road
• Police Station and Stables, 111 Bow Road
• Tredegar House, 97 and 99 Bow Road
• The former New People's Palace (now part of Queen Mary and Westfield College), Mile End Road
• Albert Stern House (formerly Beth Holim, 253 Mile End Road
• 27a Mile End Road (former Engineer's Residence to Albion Brewery)
• Tomb of Joseph Dixon, St Mary's Church, Bow Road, Bromley by Bow
• Gents WCs outside St Mary's Church, Bow Road, Bromley by Bow
• Six Cast-Iron Bollards, Kit Kat Terrace

Jason Dawson Tomb © English Heritage Hannah Parham, a Heritage Protection Advisor in English Heritage's London team said of the listings:  'These buildings in London's East End are redolent of a rich social history but are often little known, or even overlooked, by Londoners and tourists. Yet, as well as representing the fascinating changes in the area prior to the Second World War, they capture the wider progress of twentieth century Britain.  We are delighted that the special architectural and historic interest of the area has been formally recognised in time for visitors to the 2012 Olympics to explore East London's unique heritage. We hope that the new investment promised by the Games will also be targeted towards those buildings that make the East End so distinctive and special. Such buildings not only showcase the diversity and complexity of London and Londoners, but have already proved to be a lasting legacy to the capital. The city’s outstanding heritage was critical in securing the bid and it should continue to play a major role in the delivery of the Olympic and Paralympics Games.  Listings like these confirm what few would counter – that London's heritage is one of its greatest assets'

 

The listings not only provide confirmation of the architectural distinction of the borough, but recall historic events, including:

Poplar Town Hall © English Heritage 
• The former New People's Palace , an entertainment and recreation hall designed to alleviate poverty and boredom in the borough, was opened by George VI and Queen Elizabeth as part of their first public drive through London as king and queen, following the abdication of Edward V111;
• Sylvia Pankhurst was held at Bow Police station after breaking windows in Bow Road in 1913;
• Poplar Town Hall was commissioned by the councillors who in 1921 had famously been imprisoned for spending rates on a generous welfare programme in the borough, rather than contributing to the central London money pot.  The building is also significant in the development of the Labour Party; it boasts unusual sculpted panels depicting workers during the construction of the building, and is an expression of the borough’s Socialist idealism during the inter-war period.
• Beth Holim was built by and for the Sephardi Jewish community and overlooks their notable 17th century graveyard which is already listed Grade II.

Erik Gills Panels © English Heritage The listings were generated by a Defined Area Survey of the A11 corridor. This type of listing initiative is undertaken by English Heritage when areas are identified as likely to experience rapid, and possibly unsympathetic, change.  This assessment work is designed to help inform future change and create greater clarity for developers and planning authorities when proposals for new development come forward. 

 

Tower Hamlets Council Leader, Cllr Lutfur Rahman said:  'It is excellent news that so many local sites have been recognised in this way by English Heritage. If these buildings could talk, they would tell a fascinating story of people from all walks of life, and backgrounds, living and working together throughout the borough's rich and diverse history. We have plenty of attractions to show people visiting this part of East London in the run up to the Olympics - and this will add to the treasure trove already awaiting visitors.'