Historic Buildings at Aldgate
Introduction:
Many historic buildings along the High Street 2012 route have fallen into a state of disrepair, lost their architectural features and have often undergone unsympathetic modernisations. As a key High Street 2012 ‘street action’, clusters of especially important historic buildings in strategic Conservation Areas have been targeted for improvements.
The historic buildings identified for the first phase of enhancements were at Aldgate along Whitechapel High Street, at the western starting point of High Street 2012 – a highly visible cluster at edge of the City.
Works began on 64 to 68 Whitechapel High Street in February 2010. Building owners were engaged through the process and designs for shop-fronts and colours for signage were agreed in accordance with the Conservation Area guidance.
The initiative was completed in September 2010, having been funded by Tower Hamlets Council, English Heritage and the London Development Agency.
The Challenge
In the past, proper repair work seemed too expensive to the building owners, as it required such skilled craftsmanship. The team appointed to restore the Aldgate cluster – Julian Harrap Architects and Paye Stonework & Restoration – worked to address the numerous issues affecting the buildings, such as:
- peeling paintwork
- cracked render
- eroded brickwork
- damp
- timber decay
What's Been Done:
Improvement works to the six buildings were concentrated on the front elevations and parts of the buildings that faced the high street. The buildings have benefitted from extensive conservation repair, including:
- repair and reinstatement of old brickwork and period features
- installation of new windows, shop fronts and signage
- reinstatement of the original lead and cast iron hoppers and rainwater pipes
Completed in September 2010, the success of this restoration has led the Aldgate cluster to be regarded as an exemplar conservation project. It has set a standard in the area and demonstrated the value of such restoration work more widely to local shop-keepers and residents.
Beyond the improvements to the buildings themselves, the restoration has enhanced the Whitechapel High Street streetscape in general for local people, shoppers and visitors.
Image Gallery
Past Events
No past events.
