Description

CAMDEN

TQ2981SE FLITCROFT STREET
798-1/104/481 (East side)
10/06/88 Nos.1-5 (Consecutive)
Elms Lester Painting Rooms

GV II

Painting rooms for theatrical scenery. 1903-4. For Messrs W &
J Elms Lester. English bond yellow brick, with facade of red
brick; top-lit lantern, projecting above 1st floor level and
lighting painting rooms, has facing of glazed white brick.
Gabled, brick-coped Welsh slate roof; brick stacks.
EXTERIOR: 2-storey pedimented facade, with legend ELMS LESTERS
PAINTING ROOMS & STORES inscribed on tympanum of inner
pediment, which is set above row of colonnettes which rest on
cornice of main pediment. This cornice is broken by panelled
full-height loading doors to right and tall window with
glazing bars to left, the latter above a segmental-arched
2-light window with glazing bars. Pedimented facade to lantern
storey has moulded stone lintel above 2-light transomed
window. Right-side wall, of 2-storey, 3-window range has
concrete lintels over 2-light transomed windows, and loft door
above double doors to front: to rear of this range is lean-to
porch with 8-panelled double doors attached to large 3-storey
canted bay with plate-glass sashes.
INTERIOR: the centre of the building is occupied by the
painting frames, lit by the projecting lantern which has
cast-iron framework to glazing. The 1st floor painting area,
supported on a steel frame, gives access to four 50'x 30'
painting frames which run along the outer side walls and both
sides of the inner dividing screen wall. Each cast-iron frame
can be raised or lowered by electric winches. Each painting
room has a sink and studio stove and they are surrounded by
studios and artists' accommodation. The large entrance lobby
to the front has a hoist and trap doors, which facilitated the
exit of completed backcloths from the painting rooms, via the
full-height doors in the facade.
HISTORICAL NOTE: an important and complete survival of a
theatrical scene-painting workshop.

Listing NGR: TQ2994281229

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26406925

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990: Updated version
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)