Page Street, the 1928 Thames flood and Sir Edwin Lutyens

We love the 1930s Grade II listed ‘chequerboard’ flats in Page Street, Westminster. They have had an illustrious history. Long before the Thames flood barrier was erected in 1982 the flooding of the River Thames around the Lambeth Bridge embankment on 7th January 1928 caused the tragic death of many local residents. Trapped in the squalid windowless basements of overcrowded early 19th century tenements in Page Street and the surrounding area, the residents drowned as flood waters rushed in. Local politicians were shocked by the appalling living conditions only a few minutes from the heart of the political establishment, The Palace of Westminster.

 Soon after the floods subsided the Mayor of the City of Westminster contacted the landowner, Hugh Grosvenor, the 2nd Duke of Westminster, to seek a solution to the displacement of hundreds of families in the streets covering the area between Horseferry Road, Page Street and Vincent Street, crossing the old brewery site on Marsham Street and Earl Street.  In an act of generosity hard to imagine today the 2nd Duke of Westminster agreed to lease the land to the council for 995 years for the sum of one shilling per year in order to provide proper housing for the working classes on the estate. He also agreed to contribute £113,650 towards the cost of capital and £40,000 more for expenses. It took a Private Act of Parliament (as opposed to the usual Housing Act) known as the Westminster City (Millbank) Improvement Act [1929] to establish the Grosvenor Housing Estate, 7 blocks situated on Page and Vincent Streets containing 600 dwellings.

Adding celebrity to the project was the commission of renown architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens.  Lutyens’ modernist design with its grey brick and white render facade, carved stone escutcheons, shops, courtyards and galleried walkways stand just as proud today.  They are a symbol of mighty resilience.
 [postcode  reference SW1P]