SQ
SITE HISTORY
A HISTORY OF SILVERTOWN QUAYS
1855
The Royal Victoria Quays opens as the largest dock in the world, fueling the British Industrial Revolution and London's prosperity.
The Royal Albert and King George V docks soon follow (in 1880 and 1921 respectively) and all three are built to accommodate large steam ships that bringing goods from all over the world. The docks are a thriving hub employing over 100,000 people who live and work within the vicinity.
The docklands at the height of their success.
1970's
The docks usher in a new era of globalisation however the demands of containerisation ultimately cause its demise and in 1981 the Royal Victoria closes. A period of rapid economic decline follows with mass unemployment causing widespread deprivation. Plans had already been set in motion to reallocate land uses under the 1976 London Docklands Strategic Plan. Such suggestions to fill the docks would have supplied development land but failed to
regard to the heritage of the site.
The docklands having fallen into disrepair.
1980/90's
The LDDC forms in 1981 to map a new way forward for the docks. Their ambitious Canary Wharf style proposal is met with disapproval by local residents who formulate their own, more community focused plan, known as the 1983 People's Plan.
The first phase of Canary Wharf opens in 1992, predated by London City Airport in 1988 and succeeded by the DLR Beckton extension in 1994 and Britannia Urban Village in 1998. The LDDC closes that same year.
An exert from the Docklands 1976 Strategic Plan.
2000's
In place of the LDDC, the Greater London Authority is established and a new 'Arc of Opportunity' is endorsed. The opening of the ExCel Center in 2000 signifies a new commercial future for the docks and in 2007 ARUP places a £1.2b bid to regenerate Silvertown Quays. Although unsuccessful, multiple further bids and revisions and submitted throughout the following decade with negotiations continuing to this day.
ARUP's new vision for the site.
HERITAGE BUILDINGS
Aside of the deep water dock, the Silvertown Quays site hosts two further heritage structures, Millenium Mills and Silo D. These are some of only a few structures left standing at Silvertown Quays and both dominate the townscape, standing 11 storey's and 9 storey's respectively.
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Due to the site's rich history and lack of remaining heritage, it is therefore essential that these structures are retained in order to situate the new development within its origional context and preserve the past for future generations to enjoy.
MILLENNIUM MILLS
Millennium Mills today.
SILO D
THE MILLS
Millennium Mills is a 20th century mill that was constructed at the height of the docklands' success in 1904. Alongside many other similar warehouses on the site, the mills formed the largest center for flour milling in London, supplied by the large incoming boats that carried grains from around the world.
Today, the building stands derelict and although little is known about its structural integrity, it has been placed on the locally listed register. Standing approximately 108 meters long, 27 meters deep and 48 metres tall, the building offers extensive floor space along with features such as the original spiral flour chutes. Fronting onto the waterside and with its large red signage, it can be argued that this building has become the defining icon of Silvertown Quays.
SILO D
Silo D stands to the north east of the site and reaches 9 storey's tall at its highest point. It was built around the same time as the mills to house grain ready for milling and today, due to its unique structure and historical significance, it has been designated as Grade II Listed.
This listing requires that the building be retained and that its external appearance should not be altered beyond recognition.
