Pullens buildings, Victorian tenement buildings in Southwark, England
Pullens Buildings is a group of five four-story residential blocks in Southwark, London, built from yellow stock brick with terracotta arches framing each window. The five blocks sit across several streets and together form a connected estate with shared courtyards between them.
James Pullen developed the estate between 1886 and 1901 as a mixed complex combining housing and workshops for working-class artisans. The original plan called for twelve blocks, but only five remain standing today.
The original courtyards named Clements, Peacock, and Iliffe still function today as working spaces for ceramicists, painters, jewelers, and photographers. This craft tradition is something visitors can see directly by walking through the open courtyards during the day.
The estate is a short walk from Elephant and Castle station and covers Amelia Street, Crampton Street, Iliffe Street, Penton Place, and Peacock Street. Walking through the blocks and courtyards on foot is the best way to take in the full layout.
In the 1970s, residents organized a successful campaign against the complete demolition of the estate, which led to its designation as a Conservation Area. Without that effort, the blocks would most likely have been cleared to make way for new development.
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