Cleveland Street Workhouse
Encyclopedia
The Cleveland Street Workhouse is a Georgian
property in Cleveland Street, London
, originally built between 1775-78 for the care of the London sick and poor under the Old Poor Law. The building remained in operation until 2005 after witnessing the complex evolution of the healthcare system in England: after functioning as a workhouse
, the building became a workhouse infirmary before being acquired by the Middlesex Hospital
and finally falling under the NHS
. It the last century it was known as the Middlesex Hospital Annexe and the Outpatient Department. It closed to the public in 2005 and it has since been vacated. On 14 March 2011 the frontage building became Grade II Listed
, on land leased from the Bedford Estate
. The construction of the building resulted from the intercession of the Duke of Bedford’s steward Robert Palmer, the same man who together with Duchess Gertrude planned and realized the construction of Bedford Square
and Gower Street
.
The original Act of Parliament
was obtained in May 1775. The building was initially designed to accommodate 200 paupers, but the plan was modified prior to construction to accommodate a greater number.
Construction began that same year and by 1778 the building was already completed and fully occupied. Shortly afterwards, permission was sought from the landowner the Duke of Bedford
, to use part of the site as a burial ground
for the parish, as authorized by the Parliamentary Act. The ground was consecrated in 1790.
That same decade the church of St Paul's, Covent Garden
, which was built by Inigo Jones
in 1631-33, was renovated (following a fire) by the eminent architect Thomas Hardwick
. Hardwick was a famous church architect: he restored Sir Christopher Wren’s St James, Piccadilly and re-built George Dance the Younger
's St Bartholomew-the-Less
in West Smithfield
(1823–1825), and he is also famous for designing the church of St Mary the Virgin at Wanstead (completed in 1790 – Grade I listed), St John's Church in St John's Wood
High Street (1813–1814) and the church of St Mary
in Marylebone Road (1813–1817), arguably his most notable work. In 1796, the trustees in charge of the restoration work of the church at Covent Garden
employed Thomas Hardwick to design a new infectious ward and a new infirmary, built in 1802 and 1819.
In 1829 the workhouse became independently managed and in 1836 it was entrusted to the Board of Guardians of the Strand Poor Law Union. This was the first in a long series of name changes: over the course of its history the building has been known as:
Despite its many names, the core function of the building has remained unaltered over more than two centuries: the vast majority of the paupers admitted while it was a workhouse were infirm (less than 8% were able-bodied). When the workhouse facility was relocated to Edmonton
(1876), the building served as an asylum for the mentally ill, before becoming an infirmary. It was finally incorporated into the Middlesex Hospital in 1926, which came under the management of the NHS in 1948. Even during the workhouse era the core function was to tend and care for the sick and infirm, since ill-health and infirmity was the main cause of pauperism. The building represents a unique example of a purpose-built Georgian workhouse which has remained in service to the sick and poor of London for over 200 years.
An account of the appearance of he building in 1856 by its medical officer Joseph Rogers survives, matching the appearance of the building in modern days:
UCLH NHS Foundation Trust in 2010 proposed the building's demolition in a planning application (and conservation area consent) submitted to Camden London Borough Council
to replace it with a large building mixing private accommodation with commercial space.
However adjoining Westminster City Council
raised objections on three grounds on 2 December 2010.
The Cleveland Street Workhouse is of particular importance in light of the fact that Charles Dickens
is known to have lived nearby in what is now 22 Cleveland Street. Dickens lived there as a young child between 1815-1816, and then again as a teenager in 1828-1831. His residence in the street has led to the suggestion that the nearby workhouse was probably the inspiration for Oliver Twist
.
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
property in Cleveland Street, London
Cleveland Street, London
Cleveland Street in central London runs north to south from Euston Road to the junction of Mortimer Street and Goodge Street. It lies within Fitzrovia, in the W1 post code area...
, originally built between 1775-78 for the care of the London sick and poor under the Old Poor Law. The building remained in operation until 2005 after witnessing the complex evolution of the healthcare system in England: after functioning as a workhouse
Workhouse
In England and Wales a workhouse, colloquially known as a spike, was a place where those unable to support themselves were offered accommodation and employment...
, the building became a workhouse infirmary before being acquired by the Middlesex Hospital
Middlesex Hospital
The Middlesex Hospital was a teaching hospital located in the Fitzrovia area of London, United Kingdom. First opened in 1745 on Windmill Street, it was moved in 1757 to Mortimer Street where it remained until it was finally closed in 2005. Its staff and services were transferred to various sites...
and finally falling under the NHS
National Health Service (England)
The National Health Service or NHS is the publicly funded healthcare system in England. It is both the largest and oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world. It is able to function in the way that it does because it is primarily funded through the general taxation system, similar to how...
. It the last century it was known as the Middlesex Hospital Annexe and the Outpatient Department. It closed to the public in 2005 and it has since been vacated. On 14 March 2011 the frontage building became Grade II Listed
History
The Cleveland Street Workhouse was built on an H plan on the eastern side of Cleveland Street between 1775-8, by the parish of St Paul Covent GardenSt Paul Covent Garden
St Paul Covent Garden was a civil parish in the metropolitan area of London, England. It was created in 1645 from part of the ancient parish of St Martin in the Fields, and was within the Liberty of Westminster....
, on land leased from the Bedford Estate
Bedford Estate
The Bedford Estate is a historic central London estate owned by the Russell family who possess the peerage of Duke of Bedford. The estate was originally based in Covent Garden, then stretched to include Bloomsbury in 1669...
. The construction of the building resulted from the intercession of the Duke of Bedford’s steward Robert Palmer, the same man who together with Duchess Gertrude planned and realized the construction of Bedford Square
Bedford Square
Bedford Square is a square in the Bloomsbury district of the Borough of Camden in London, England.Built between 1775 and 1783 as an upper middle class residential area, the sqare has had many distinguished residents, including Lord Eldon, one of Britain's longest serving and most celebrated Lord...
and Gower Street
Gower Street
Gower Street may refer to:*Gower Street *Gower Street...
.
The original Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
was obtained in May 1775. The building was initially designed to accommodate 200 paupers, but the plan was modified prior to construction to accommodate a greater number.
Construction began that same year and by 1778 the building was already completed and fully occupied. Shortly afterwards, permission was sought from the landowner the Duke of Bedford
Duke of Bedford
thumb|right|240px|William Russell, 1st Duke of BedfordDuke of Bedford is a title that has been created five times in the Peerage of England. The first creation came in 1414 in favour of Henry IV's third son, John, who later served as regent of France. He was made Earl of Kendal at the same time...
, to use part of the site as a burial ground
Burial Ground
Burial Ground is the ninth studio album by Swedish death metal band Grave, released in June 2010.-Track listing:# "Liberation" - 3:40# "Semblance In Black" - 7:50# "Dismembered Mind" - 6:10# "Ridden With Belief" - 7:57# "Conquerer" - 4:44...
for the parish, as authorized by the Parliamentary Act. The ground was consecrated in 1790.
That same decade the church of St Paul's, Covent Garden
St Paul's, Covent Garden
St Paul's Church, also commonly known as the Actors' Church, is a church designed by Inigo Jones as part of a commission by Francis Russell, 4th Earl of Bedford in 1631 to create "houses and buildings fitt for the habitacons of Gentlemen and men of ability" in Covent Garden, London, England.As well...
, which was built by Inigo Jones
Inigo Jones
Inigo Jones is the first significant British architect of the modern period, and the first to bring Italianate Renaissance architecture to England...
in 1631-33, was renovated (following a fire) by the eminent architect Thomas Hardwick
Thomas Hardwick
Thomas Hardwick was a British architect and a founding member of the Architect's Club in 1791.-Early life and career :Hardwick was born in Brentford, the son of a master mason turned architect also named Thomas Hardwick Thomas Hardwick (1752–1829) was a British architect and a founding...
. Hardwick was a famous church architect: he restored Sir Christopher Wren’s St James, Piccadilly and re-built George Dance the Younger
George Dance the Younger
George Dance the Younger was an English architect and surveyor. The fifth and youngest son of George Dance the Elder, he came from a distinguished family of architects, artists and dramatists...
's St Bartholomew-the-Less
St Bartholomew-the-Less
St Bartholomew-the-Less is an Anglican church in the City of London. It is the official church of St Bartholomew's Hospital and is located within the hospital grounds.-History:...
in West Smithfield
Smithfield
Smithfield is the name of several places:In Australia:* Smithfield, New South Wales* Smithfield, Queensland, near Cairns* Smithfield, South Australia, a northern suburb of Adelaide**Smithfield railway station, Adelaide...
(1823–1825), and he is also famous for designing the church of St Mary the Virgin at Wanstead (completed in 1790 – Grade I listed), St John's Church in St John's Wood
St John's Wood
St John's Wood is a district of north-west London, England, in the City of Westminster, and at the north-west end of Regent's Park. It is approximately 2.5 miles north-west of Charing Cross. Once part of the Great Middlesex Forest, it was later owned by the Knights of St John of Jerusalem...
High Street (1813–1814) and the church of St Mary
St Marylebone Parish Church
-First church:The first church for the parish was built in the vicinity of the present Marble Arch c.1200, and dedicated to St John the Evangelist.-Second church:...
in Marylebone Road (1813–1817), arguably his most notable work. In 1796, the trustees in charge of the restoration work of the church at Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
employed Thomas Hardwick to design a new infectious ward and a new infirmary, built in 1802 and 1819.
In 1829 the workhouse became independently managed and in 1836 it was entrusted to the Board of Guardians of the Strand Poor Law Union. This was the first in a long series of name changes: over the course of its history the building has been known as:
- St Paul Covent Garden Workhouse or simply Covent Garden Workhouse
- Strand Union Workhouse
- Central London Sick Asylum
- Cleveland Street Infirmary
- Middlesex Hospital Annexe
- Middlesex Hospital Outpatient Department
Despite its many names, the core function of the building has remained unaltered over more than two centuries: the vast majority of the paupers admitted while it was a workhouse were infirm (less than 8% were able-bodied). When the workhouse facility was relocated to Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
(1876), the building served as an asylum for the mentally ill, before becoming an infirmary. It was finally incorporated into the Middlesex Hospital in 1926, which came under the management of the NHS in 1948. Even during the workhouse era the core function was to tend and care for the sick and infirm, since ill-health and infirmity was the main cause of pauperism. The building represents a unique example of a purpose-built Georgian workhouse which has remained in service to the sick and poor of London for over 200 years.
An account of the appearance of he building in 1856 by its medical officer Joseph Rogers survives, matching the appearance of the building in modern days:
“The Strand Workhouse in the year 1856 was a square four-storied building fronting the street, with two wings of similar elevation projecting eastwards from each corner […] in the yard, on each side of the entrance gate, was a building with an underground apartment […] with a door for the reception of male and female casual paupers; the wards above being for those of both sexes admitted to the house. The necessary laundry work of the establishment, which never in my time fell below 500 inmates, was carried on in the cellar beneath the entrance hall and the general dining room […]On the right side of the main building was a badly paved yard, which led down to the back entrance from Charlotte Street….”
UCLH NHS Foundation Trust in 2010 proposed the building's demolition in a planning application (and conservation area consent) submitted to Camden London Borough Council
Camden London Borough Council
Camden London Borough Council is the local authority for the London Borough of Camden in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council, one of 32 in the United Kingdom capital of London...
to replace it with a large building mixing private accommodation with commercial space.
However adjoining Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Council is the local authority for the City of Westminster in Greater London, England. It is a London borough council and is entitled to be known as a city council, which is a rare distinction in the United Kingdom. The city is divided into 20 wards, each electing three councillors...
raised objections on three grounds on 2 December 2010.
The Cleveland Street Workhouse is of particular importance in light of the fact that Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
is known to have lived nearby in what is now 22 Cleveland Street. Dickens lived there as a young child between 1815-1816, and then again as a teenager in 1828-1831. His residence in the street has led to the suggestion that the nearby workhouse was probably the inspiration for Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy's Progress is the second novel by English author Charles Dickens, published by Richard Bentley in 1838. The story is about an orphan Oliver Twist, who endures a miserable existence in a workhouse and then is placed with an undertaker. He escapes and travels to...
.