Sunday, 22 January 2012

The Dorset Estate, Tower Hamlets


I feel guilty. The Dorset Estate has been staring me in the face for the last six months. And I've ignored it. My excuse is I was waiting for the perfect crisp, clear January morning to take some photos.

Designed by Skinner, Bailey & Lubetkin and finished in 1957, the main buildings are two 11-storey Y-shaped blocks called George Loveless House and James Hammett House.

Approaching from Columbia Road you arrive at the south-side of the Y, bathed in morning sunshine.



But you can also approach from Diss Street, just off Hackney Road.


Or from Ravenscroft Park.



Aligned with the geometry of the main buildings are six lower blocks - James Brine House - which is actually four separate four-storey blocks and then two more - Robert Owen and Arthur Wade houses.

Altogether there are 266 homes on the estate.


James Brine House

A small community centre, the Dorset Social Club, was also built on the site and still looks in use today.


On the east of the estate on Ravenscroft Road is the Ravenscroft pub, seen here with Sivill House in the background.



At the top of each of the buildings is a decorative oval, featuring human silhouettes.


So make some time to see this nice piece of street art, incorporating a ground level decorative piece of concrete.



3 comments:

  1. Dorset Social Club is certainly in use. Downstairs was once a public library - which i sadly watched Tower Hamlets Council clear out last week. Perhaps there are plans to extend the seemly growing in popularity social club. I have not ventured in. . . but, heard you can only attend if a resident or so accompanied. Being a resident of George Loveless House on Diss Street (best London address ever!) and having a fab view of the lush interior it is inevitable I shall eventually make my way down.

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  2. Loveless is the right word. Mind you, Diss is Latin for hell.

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