Place   

Wellclose Square, E1

Categories: Architecture

Wellclose Square, E1

This down at heel backwater to the east of the Tower of London, has an unexpectedly rich history. The area around it was generally known as Wellclose and in 1686 it became part of the Liberty of the Tower. It was mentioned by Daniel Defoe as having a well in the centre. A Danish church designed by Caius Gabriel Cibber was built here in 1696. In 1787 a theatre called the Royalty was erected. This burned down in 1828 and was replaced by the Royal Brunswick Theatre which collapsed shortly after opening. Spitalfields Life has some wonderful images.

The Neptune Street prison, also known as 'The Sly House' also occupied the site. See Spitalfields Life for some grafitti from a debtors' cell here. The now threatened Wilton's Music Hall, built in 1858, stands in Grace's Alley just off the square. Currently there are two schools here, the Shapla and St Paul's Whitechapel (pictured right), which unusually has a spire.

This post from Spitalfields Life has many photos and drawings of the Square.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Wellclose Square, E1

Commemorated ati

Norwegian Embassy

{On a metal plaque below the left hand relief:} In 1796 these two Coade stone...

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Chris Roche
1 memorial
Lindsey House

Lindsey House

A grade II listed villa, thought to be the oldest building in Kensington and Chelsea. Previous residents include Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel and James McNeill Whistler. It features a garden d...

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1 memorial
Professor Banister Fletcher

Professor Banister Fletcher

Architect and surveyor. Churchwarden of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe. He and his sons, Banister Flight Fletcher and Herbert Phillips Fletcher, formed the architectural practice: Banister Fletcher &amp...

Person, Architecture, Liveries & Guilds, Politics & Administration, Property

1 memorial
Donald W. Insall Associates

Donald W. Insall Associates

A firm of chartered architects, historic building and planning consultants. Donald Insall was knighted in 2010.

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5 memorials
William Nisbet Blair

William Nisbet Blair

Architect. Born Morpeth, Northumberland. Appointed St Pancras Borough Engineer in 1893 and still in post in 1906. Lived at 23 West Hill. Father of the entomologist, Kenneth Blair. Died Middlesex. H...

Person, Architecture

1 memorial