Limehouse Library

Limehouse Library is a two-story brick building in Tower Hamlets featuring distinctive arched windows and stone trim along its outer walls. The structure displays ornamental architectural elements that reflect the careful craftsmanship typical of public buildings from that era.

The building opened in 1901 following a substantial donation and served the public as a library for over a century. Its closure in 2003 ended a long chapter of service to local residents seeking knowledge and community resources.

The library served as a gathering place where residents could explore materials about their neighborhood's past and present communities. Photographs and documents reflected the industrial heritage and migration stories of the people living in Tower Hamlets.

The building is not currently open to the public as it has been acquired for redevelopment purposes. Visitors can appreciate the exterior facade and architectural details from the street, though interior access is not available.

A statue of former Prime Minister Clement Attlee once greeted visitors at the entrance but was relocated to a nearby university in 2011 due to damage concerns. This move reflects how public monuments can shift locations as communities and their spaces evolve.

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Inception: 1900

Official opening: November 1901

GPS coordinates: 51.51216,-0.03353

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:46