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

• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  This Old House: Restoring, Rehabilitating, and Renovating an Older House
• 
  Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East: Norwich and North-east v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings