G Mackenzie Trench,
architect and surveyor for the Metropolitan
Police Authority
Date Built
1928 - 1930
Location
Wilmington
Street, Amwell Street & Merlin Street,
Finsbury
Description
This Grade II Listed
housing complex in Finsbury began life in 1930
as accommodation for married policemen. It
was designed by G Mackenzie Trench, architect
and surveyor for the Metropolitan Police
Authority and famous as the designer, in
1929, of the blue police box made famous
in later years as Dr. Who's Tardis. The
building comprises four massive red brick blocks
facing outwards on to four streets and within a
courtyard accessed via arched entrances.
The listing information
describes the building as featuring, "...
Powerful, rhythmic street elevations
with bays articulated by full-height
moulded brick stacks treated as
pilasters that create strong
skyline. Decorative extradoses and
dressings to great arched entrances.
Metal casement sashes separated by
narrow full-height moulded brick
pilasters that become a decorative
feature to brick parapets; decorative
brickwork above top floor sashes.
Stacks and intervening parapets
read as battlements."
Apparently, "...
96 two and three-bedroomed flats were
originally provided on five floors, with
a covered playground in the basement."
Today Charles Rowan House is home to council
flat tenants.
