56 Artillery Lane, Grade I listed building in Spitalfields, London, United Kingdom
56 Artillery Lane is a Grade I listed building in Spitalfields featuring one of London's oldest preserved shopfronts with architectural elements from the eighteenth century. The structure displays craftsmanship and proportions typical of its period of construction.
The building was constructed in the 1720s for a silk merchant and underwent major reconstruction between 1750 and 1756 under architect Robert Taylor's direction. This renovation shaped the appearance that survives to the present day.
The building reflects the presence of Huguenot silk merchants who settled in this neighborhood and shaped its character. The spaces tell the story of skilled traders and the merchant networks that once operated from this location.
The building now houses Raven Row and offers free art exhibitions to visitors in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The spaces are typically accessible during daylight hours, making it worth checking opening times in advance.
Archaeological excavations in 2006 revealed hidden layers of the structure, exposing traces from its long past. These findings documented how the building and those who inhabited it changed over the centuries.
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