Former Fire Station

Reasons for Designation

LCC fire station of 1910 considered one of the best from contextual research, and despite recent conversion it remains externally intact with its distinctive picturesque facade that successfully combines the formal qualities of the building type with a strong municipal presence.

Details

788/0/10201 GILLENDER STREET 01-FEB-10 25-38 Former Fire Station

II Fire station, now studios and flats. 1909-11 by London County Council Architects' Department Fire Brigade Section, with some mid-C20 alterations and late-C20 conversion to studios. Drawings dated 1910 were signed by W.E. Reilly, superintending architect to the LCC at the time; the station may have been designed by W.E. Brooks, who was responsible for the very similar 1907 Tooting Fire Station. Romantic building in the lively eclectic style favoured by the Department in this period. Red brick with timber small-pane sashes and steep pitched tile roofs. EXTERIOR: 4 storeys of accommodation over 3 ground floor appliance bays and office. Red brick in two shades, with three 3-storey canted oriels, rendered and painted white. Symmetrical facade of three parts: wider central section has oriel flanked by paired timber sashes, the upper 2 floors faced with glazed red brick, at the base of which are a pair of pilasters with rendered capitals and 4 small arches between; similar oriel and plain paired sashes bay to each side. Ground floor also of glazed brick, with 3 former engine ports that retain timber panelled and part-glazed doors, all under continuous rendered cornice and applied metal lettering in distinctive typeface: L.C.C. FIRE BRIGADE STATION A.D. 1910. Stone opening plaque between 2 right hand ports. Office to far right has replaced door set behind curved exaggerated rusticated sides and with deep advanced cornice under semicircular arch. Pitched tiled roof with deep eaves soffit and a pair of gables at each end. Prominent chimneys. Rear has pair of advanced stairtowers, one now with blocked in windows. Otherwise sash windows, and simple open-air railings. HISTORY: Built as Brunswick Road Fire Station and opened in May 1911 at a cost of £10,428. Drawings are signed by Contractors were Messrs H.L. Holloway. The London Fire Brigade was expanded considerably following the Cripplegate fire of 1897. 43 new stations were opened between 1899 and 1914, and Brunswick Road is part of this campaign. Stone plaque reads: 'This station was opened by Jocelyn Brandon Esq. Chairman of the Fire Brigate Committee London County Council on May 19th 1911'

The former Brunswick Road (now Gillender Street) L.C.C. fire station of 1909-11 is listed as one of London's top rank early-C20 fire stations, similar to that of 1907 in Tooting (q.v.), and considering the capital's pre-eminence in fire station design, this endows it with historic interest. Although now converted, it retains its distinctive architecture, with elongated proportions emphasising the romantic qualities of the style, and strong municipal presence.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

493811

Legacy System:

LBS

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