Description

TQ3280
636-1/2/631
11/03/94

SOUTHWARK

REDCROSS WAY
(West side)
Cromwell Buildings Nos 5-24 (consec) and attached railings
(Formerly Listed as:
REDCROSS WAY
Cromwell Buildings and attached railings)

II

Flatted philanthropic housing and integral shops. 1864. By
Sydney Waterlow, with Matthew Allen, builder. For Waterlow's
Improved Industrial Dwellings Company. Brick in Flemish bond,
painted stucco or cement facing, and cast concrete details;
roof parapeted.
5 storeys. End blocks of one window each, stretching between a
recessed open-stair, balcony range. Flats entered via the
balconies. Walls to balconies are rendered, painted, and
treated as blind, round-arched arcading pierced by windows and
doors. Rubbish chute in centre. Railings to area and
balconies. Shop to ground floor of each end range, with
bracket fascia of original design.
INTERIOR: not inspected.
HISTORICAL NOTE: Sydney Waterlow's IIDC was one of the most
successful of Victorian providers of low-cost rented
accommodation which was also commercial. Founded in 1863, its
early buildings are among the most distinctive examples of
model dwellings in London. The stairwell and railed balcony
arrangement (with the balcony treated as blind arcading) was
characteristic of IIDC blocks and was designed to improve
ventilation, sanitation and safety. Their history and that of
the philanthropic housing movement is told in 2 books by John
Tarn, 'Working Class Housing in 19th Century Britain' and
'Five per Cent Philanthropy'.
(Tarn J: Working Class Housing in 19th Century Britain: 1971-;
Tarn J: Five Per Cent Philanthropy: 1973-).

Listing NGR: TQ3245380171

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26665580

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Yorkshire: York and the East Riding (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Development and Design of Heritage Sensitive Sites: Strategies for Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas