We’ve set ourselves the task of documenting all the listed buildings of Brixton, and although it’s a project that will probably takes us years to complete, we hope to keep on adding new photo features every few weeks or so.

Our latest update features the Grade II listed strip of buildings on Brixton Road in north Brixton, close to the junction with Mostyn Road .

Dating from the early-mid C19, the entire strip covering numbers 213 to 225 enjoy Grade II listed protection.

The listing entry describes their importance in some detail:

Early-mid C19 symmetrical composition: 2 outer pairs and inner group of 3. Each house 3 storeys and basement, 2 windows (except central house, 3 windows wide and having mansard with dormers). In outer pairs the outer, narrower entrance bay slightly set back.

Similar outer bays to inner block; central house projects. Stucco with incised lines and first floor string. Stone-coped parapet. Sash windows, mostly with glazing bars, those on ground and first floor of all but central house tripartite, in moulded architraves. Console bracketed cornices on ground floor.

Five steps, with side walls, to 6-panel doors with cornice head and rectangular fanlight under heavy bracketed cornice. Ionic pilasters flank doorway of No 219, but entablature lost. Graded partly for important position in street.

How does a building get listed? 

English Heritage explains the process by which a building can be listed on their website.

Here’s their overview:

How Are Buildings Chosen?

Buildings and structures are assessed to define their significance with the greatest care.  Many old buildings and indeed recent buildings are interesting, but listing identifies only those which are of national ‘special interest’.  The main criteria used are:

• Age and rarity: most buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed, as are most of those built between 1700 and 1840
• The criteria become tighter with time, so that buildings built within the last 30 years have to be exceptionally important to be listed, and under threat too.  A building has to be over 10 years old to be eligible for listing
• Architectural interest: buildings which are nationally important for the interest of their architectural design, decoration and craftsmanship; also important examples of particular building types and techniques
• Historic interest: this includes buildings which illustrate important aspects of the nation’s social, economic, cultural or military history
• Close historical association with nationally important people or events
• Group value, especially where buildings are part of an important architectural or historic group or are a fine example of planning (such as squares, terraces and model villages

See more Brixton history:
On this blog
On the boards
On the comprehensive urban75 Brixton history archives

Related posts:

Listed buildings of Brixton: The stunning Gothic facade at 308-312 Brixton Road

Listed buildings of Brixton: The 1824 Regency terrace at Cowley Road, SW9

Twilight stroll along Brixton Road – history, architecture and the buried River Effra

George IV becomes the first building in Lambeth to be listed as an asset of community value.

Brixton’s iconic Reliance Arcade is added to the English Heritage ‘At Risk’ list