1875 – Norgrove Buildings, Bishopsgate, London

Architect: A.W. Archer

0005

From The Architect, August 14, 1875: The above buildings, recently completed, are situated in one of the chief commercial centres of the city. The premises comprise basement, ground, first, second, and third storeys, the basement being arranged as wine vaults, the ground floor as shops, and the upper floors in suites of well-lighted offices. The third storey comprises the housekeeper’s department, having a towerllike appearance from the front. The buildings are constructed with selected red brick in front, with Portland and Corsham stone judiciously used in. The offices are approached by a lobby””the floor of which is laid with specially designed tiling””and entering by bold mahogany swing sash door?, the offices above are reached by an oak staircase, having specially designed handrail, brackets to return ends of stairs, and iron ballusters. The w.c.’s, lavatories, &c., are entered from the half landings of staircase: there is separate water supply for the w.c.’s and domestic purposes.

All internal architraves to doors and windows, also all skirtings and dado mouldings are executed in patent cement, and worked flush witli the general face of walls. The architect, Mr. A. W. Archer, A.R.I.B.A., has supplied original designs for the masons, carvers, plasterers, joiners, and ironfounders work throughout. The carving was executed by Mr. A. Bradford, of Lambeth. The contractors for the works were Messrs, Harding & Co., Old Bethnal Green Road, London.