18 Blackfriars Road: 1 Stamford Street & 3-7 Stamford Street Southwark London SE1 Descriptive Buildings Record (Level 2)

The Level 2 historic building recording was carried out in accordance with the site-specific WSI (MOLA, 2025). All work was carried out in accordance with Historic England specifications in Understanding Historic Buildings: A Guide to Good Recording Practice (Historic England, 2016) and the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) Standards and Guidance for the Archaeological Investigation of Standing Buildings or Structures (CIfA, 2020). Physical investigation The buildings were inspected on 15 and 16 May 2025. Physical investigation of the building was carried out on site before the proposed alteration of the buildings. This aspect of the investigation aimed at elucidating significant details regarding fabric, function, or the elements, methods/order of construction and development. As far as was possible all accessible areas were recorded. Written records Handwritten descriptive notes were produced on-site to record the findings of the physical investigation. The notes recorded details such as the fabric, form and function of the structure, along with evidence of any alterations and development over time. The written account comprises the building's construction, present and former use and where appropriate, the building's past and present relationship to its setting in the wider landscape. Documentary research Formal detailed historical research was not within the remit of this Level 2 report. Provision was made for sufficient initial documentary research in order to enable the overall research aims to be realised. These were consulted to the extent necessary to furnish information as to dates of construction and modification of the buildings, and on the social, economic and cultural context in which the buildings were constructed and used, and later modified in form and use. Photographic records A photographic record of the building was made during the investigation. Photographs were taken using a 12 megapixel high definition digital camera. This survey has generated an archive of approximately 386 digital photographs of which a selection is used in this report for illustrative purposes (Figs 13 - 161) and their locations recorded on sketch plans. All relevant photographs taken on-site have been archived in the MOLA Oracle database. A list comprising their description, along with the digital image file name and direction of camera is appended to this report (Appendix 1). Drawn records MOLA was supplied with measured survey drawings of floor plans, elevations and sectional elevations of the building produced by Foster and Partners, Riverside, 22 Hester Road, London SW11. These drawings were annotated on site with information relating to the historical features and then converted to conform to Historic England's guidance for the illustration of historic buildings (Historic England, 2016). These are reproduced as part of this report (Appendix 2). Where necessary, these drawings were annotated conforming to the Historic England guidance for presentation of a historic building survey in CAD (Historic England, 2005). Both buildings date to the 1870s and are of four storeys plus basement; each had ranges extending southward to the rear. Although the buildings were of a similar style, there were differences in materials and height. The façade of No.1 Stamford Street is constructed of red brick, with yellow London stocks to the rear and the façade of 3-7 is gold and yellow stock brick with various materials to its south extensions. At ground floor level the exterior of both buildings are rusticated with details typical to the period, such as grouped and paired arched windows reminiscent of Romanesque architecture, string courses and pilasters.