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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

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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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Other Subjects

Sir Albert Richardson

Sir Albert Richardson

Architect. Born London. Our picture shows him as 'professor' in 1956.  Apart from post-war restorations his main work in London is Bracken House, the first post-war listed building.

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3 memorials
Colen Campbell

Colen Campbell

Architect. Born in Scotland, a descendent of the Campbells of Cawdor Castle. One of the initiators of the Neo-Palladian movement through his publication, the 3-part Vitruvius Britannicus.

Person, Architecture, Scotland

1 memorial
Basil Champneys

Basil Champneys

Architect. Born Whitechapel. Died at home at 42 Frognal Lane, Hampstead. Works include: Newnham College, Cambridge.

Person, Architecture

1 memorial
John Romer

John Romer

Architect and structural engineer. John Henry Romer was born on 13 March 1947 in Kingston-upon-Thames the eldest of the three children of Sydney Gurney Romer (1903-2005) and Dorothy Joan Agnes Rom...

Person, Architecture, Engineering

1 memorial
Sam Dawkins and Donna Walker

Sam Dawkins and Donna Walker

Active in 2006, Sam Dawkins, from Warwickshire and Donna Walker, from Windsor, both architectural students from the University of Edinburgh.

Group, Architecture

1 memorial