Dagenham Roundhouse, Architectural structure in Barking and Dagenham, England.
The Dagenham Roundhouse is a circular building in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, topped by a square tower and a T-shaped upper floor that extends beyond the round base. The ground floor was originally laid out for indoor bowling and a tea room, giving the structure an unusual mix of shapes from the outside.
The building was completed in 1936 to a design by Alfred W. Blomfield, who worked as the in-house architect for the Watney Combe & Reid brewery. It was part of a broader effort by breweries across England to build leisure spaces connected to their pubs during the years between the two world wars.
During the 1970s, the building drew rock music fans from across east London and beyond, hosting some of the era's most talked-about acts. That chapter in its life made it a reference point for people who grew up in the area.
The building stands at the corner of Porters Avenue and Lodge Avenue, close to Mayesbrook Park and within walking distance of both Upney and Becontree stations on the District Line. Daytime is the best time to visit if you want to take a good look at the exterior from the street.
A small street behind the building is named Bragg Close, after singer Billy Bragg, in recognition of his ties to the area's working-class roots and early labor union history. The name links this corner of Dagenham to a broader story of collective organizing that shaped the neighborhood.
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