Client: Wild Orchid Properties Ltd. 

Description:  Between 2019 and 2022 HCUK managed an extensive programme of archaeological work required by planning consent ahead of and during the redevelopment of a former sailmakers factory at 767-785 Commercial Road in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. ​​ The evaluation undertaken revealed evidence for industrial activity in the later decades of the 19th century including evidence for basements. The findings led to a requirement from the archaeology advisors to Tower Hamlets for further mitigation works to comprise a combination of a strip, map and record investigation and a watching brief. The work was timetabled into the  construction programme in order to prevent delays to the overall project.

HCUK Group involvement: Archaeology and Building Recording. 

 

Summary

 

The earliest archaeology on the site was the remains of a 18th century wharf or dock connected to the Limehouse Cut, a canal in the East End of London. The image below shows a timber revetment and cobbled horse gin that is very likely to be associated with the use of the site as a White Lead Works during this time.The excavation also revealed the remains of 19th century buildings which once fronted onto Commercial Road including a smithy and a salvation army hall. 

 

During the Second World War, the factory was hit by eleven incendiary bombs in the heavy air raids. The risk of finding unexploded ordinances during  the archaeological works was mitigated by the presence of a UXO specialist during the excavation. 

 

Alongside the archaeological excavation was a Historic Building Recording project which focused on the standing buildings at 777-785 Commercial Road. The buildings comprised a deteriorating group of former engineering works and office buildings, largely constructed for Caird and Rayner who were coppersmiths, engineers and contractors to British and foreign admiralties). The buildings were some of the first examples in the country to use rolled steel technology in the construction of their steel frames.  ​​