Located half way up Brixton Road towards the Oval, this stunning Victorian façade remains one of my favourite pieces of Brixton architecture.
The building dates back to 1842, with the northern gable documenting its 1879 rebuilding.
Dominated by series of red sandstone piers and ornate wood fittings, the Victorian Gothic frontage is wonderfully detailed.
Close by is another striking Victorian building in the shape of the Eagle Printing Works, but this recently suffered the loss of its weather vane thanks to vandalism by its new owners, sometime around 2012.
The shops were built on the site of the front garden of the early C19th three storey house behind.
The Victorian style of writing on the window frame (below) suggests that the building was perhaps originally used as an estate agents.
Such is the architectural importance of the buildings, both the shops and the house were Grade II listed by English Heritage as far back as March 1981. Below is the listing report:
This is an early C19 house (No 308 and 312A) with 2 late C19 shops (Nos 310 and 312) on forecourt. Original house of 3 storeys and basetment, 2 windows.
Stucco with incised lines and pedimented gable end to road. First floor cill band. Sash windows with glazing bars, round-arched on ground floor.
Entrance to No 312A (a left wing of No 308) has patterned fanlight. Two shop fronts are dated 1879. Gothic style with diagonal compound piers of red sandstone at angles (having gabled tops) and a narrower similar central pier.
Within, 2 shop fronts divided each into 3 bays and with doors under flattened ogee heads with fleur-de-lys finials, wrought iron stallriser and door grilles.
Above is a view from the 1960s, showing the building occupied by two shops.
Maxwell Bros appears to have its original Victorian signage intact, while Evered Supplies on the right has a modernised façade. [–].
Evered Supplies were wound up in the High Court in May 1986. [–]
The building is currently used by the Social, Hope and Recovery Project (SHARP). We listed an art exhibition on the premises in April this year.
Here’s more contemporary photos of the building:
Discuss the building here.
Related posts:
George IV becomes the first building in Lambeth to be listed as an asset of community value.
Historic Loughborough House façade faces destruction as the council drags its heels over the legality of the work
Brixton History – Bon Marche cafe, Cooper Son tailors and the Beehive pub, Brixton Road
The old Fire Station, Ferndale Road, Brixton 1906 – 2014
Stunning retro print celebrates the modernist architecture of Stockwell Bus garage