Not so long ago I had a temporary job in Holborn, Central London. It was not particularly interesting work though not especially onerous either. As I was usually alone in my small office I could check Facebook or read my novel whenever the fancy took me. Another bonus was the location itself. As anyone who has ever worked in the area (and who is not a complete philistine) will tell you, Holborn is a veritable treasure trove of Georgian and Victorian architecture. Bedford Row for instance is not only crammed with eminent barristers' chambers but is also an oustanding survival of 18th century townhouses. Every lunch I eagerly escaped my drab office to explore the district and its underappreciated streets.
 |
| Corner of Northington St and John's Mews |
It was on one of my lunchtime walks that I came across this strange but wonderful creature, no. 13 Northington Street. The inscription on its facade reads 'these premises were erected by Henry Finch Esq. JP in AD 1903'. Henry obviously didn't get the memo that magistrates aren't to use the suffix too liberally. The building was originally erected as the stables of a brewery. This is unsurprising as the Finch family owned a legion of pubs across London at the turn of the century, many of which still remain standing. So to keep his boozy empire fueled Henry evidently had a central brewery constructed, with these charming stables attached so as to convey alcohol across the city.
 |
| Baroque decoration |
 |
| Northington Street |
At a first glance the building appears to resemble any other redbrick structure of the period. But looking closer you start to notice some interesting quirks. The elegant little finials running along the roof at first appear reminiscent of an Edwardian staircase, only in stone not wood. But then along the northern side is a handsome stone scroll, so typical of Baroque architecture. Then you notice the same scroll, only smaller, flanking the chimneys. So it appears that the finials, like the scrolls, are actually a reference to 17th century architecture, a simplified imitation of finials such as those found at Kingston Lacy, constructed in the 1660's. This would also explain the casement windows lining the first floor.
 |
| Kingston Lacy, Dorset |
Yet this is a distinctly 20th century building, and its debt to the arts and crafts movement is undeniable. So why would Henry Finch want to build his stables in such a style, harping back to the country houses of the Stuart dynasty yet in the middle of London? Perhaps it was his way of making a statement about his own social status. The Finches were anything but aristocratic, having made their wealth as publicans. Yet by 1903 they evidently held some status, as Henry was a JP afterall. So perhaps in an 'ironic' way he wanted to imitate the aristocracy . They might have van Dyck portraits of the family, but the Finches had something just as good, a prosperous business, so why not design the infrastructure in the same style as a country pile? The aristocracy's power came from their land and tenants but the Finches derived their wealth from the city and its beer-guzzling multitudes. The stables on Northington Street are a reflection of their wealth and pride. Which is why you will find a 'country house' on a back street in Holborn.
 |
| John's Mews |
Comments
Post a Comment