Brixton news, rumours and general chat

[RoyReed]

Is that not the actual viaduct?

I'm sure it is. You can see parts of it in some of the photos in this article:

Brixton history: Marks & Spencer, Francis & Son and the long-lost Bon Marché Arcade in Brixton Road

Although Reliance Arcade lives on, Brixton once boasted several other interesting arcades, including the stylish Morley’s Arcade, the relatively modern Station Arcade and the Edwardian Bon Ma…

www.brixtonbuzz.com

 

[editor]

I'm sure it is. You can see parts of it in some of the photos in this article:

Brixton history: Marks & Spencer, Francis & Son and the long-lost Bon Marché Arcade in Brixton Road

Although Reliance Arcade lives on, Brixton once boasted several other interesting arcades, including the stylish Morley’s Arcade, the relatively modern Station Arcade and the Edwardian Bon Ma…

www.brixtonbuzz.com

Here's how it looked in 1955, so the arches were in place then and seem to form part of the viaduct structure.

Before refurb:





After:

 

[teuchter]

I'm sure it is. You can see parts of it in some of the photos in this article:

Brixton history: Marks & Spencer, Francis & Son and the long-lost Bon Marché Arcade in Brixton Road

Although Reliance Arcade lives on, Brixton once boasted several other interesting arcades, including the stylish Morley’s Arcade, the relatively modern Station Arcade and the Edwardian Bon Ma…

www.brixtonbuzz.com

A close look at the way the brick rings around the arches finish, in the refurbed M&S, compared with the old photo, confirms we're not looking at the same thing. The real viaduct is somewhere behind the fake brickwork. Apart from anything else, if they left the real brickwork exposed there'd be drips and leaks all over the place. And you can see they are new bricks.

 

[Jimbeau]

A close look at the way the brick rings around the arches finish, in the refurbed M&S, compared with the old photo, confirms we're not looking at the same thing. The real viaduct is somewhere behind the fake brickwork. Apart from anything else, if they left the real brickwork exposed there'd be drips and leaks all over the place. And you can see they are new bricks.

View attachment 451948

View attachment 451949

I agree. Definitely a new cosmetic skin with a service void behind. It’s nicely done regardless.

 

[teuchter]

A shame that barrel vaulted glazed roof didn't survive previous renovations.

 

[RoyReed]

A close look at the way the brick rings around the arches finish, in the refurbed M&S, compared with the old photo, confirms we're not looking at the same thing. The real viaduct is somewhere behind the fake brickwork. Apart from anything else, if they left the real brickwork exposed there'd be drips and leaks all over the place. And you can see they are new bricks.

View attachment 451948

View attachment 451949

So you reckon they've built a series of new arched vaults with new or reclaimed London stocks as well as making a new facing. I don't think so. You can see there's the same four brick courses at the end of the vaulting in both photos. And the bricks look like they've been nicely cleaned and repointed.

 

[madolesance]

So you reckon they've built a series of new arched vaults with new or reclaimed London stocks as well as making a new facing. I don't think so. You can see there's the same four brick courses at the end of the vaulting in both photos. And the bricks look like they've been nicely cleaned and repointed.

The new arches look much narrower.

 

[Jimbeau]

The new arches look much narrower.

The bricks in the store are laid in stretcher bond and the arches spring from head height. The viaduct is laid in English bond and the arches spring from the ground. Also the arches of the viaduct are red brick, not yellow - as can be seen across the street on Atlantic Rd.

 

[edcraw]

The bricks in the store are laid in stretcher bond and the arches spring from head height. The viaduct is laid in English bond and the arches spring from the ground. Also the arches of the viaduct are red brick, not yellow - as can be seen across the street on Atlantic Rd.

Great explanation! Loving this arch detection work teuchter & Jimbeau

 

[PlasT]

These are not just arches…

 

[teuchter]

Aside from the fact that you couldn't just run a ventilation ducts and electrical trays straight into a solid railway viaduct, another clue that this is not the real viaduct wall is where it stops (red arrow) and the ceiling beams that carry on above & behind it (blue arrow).

If it were the real viaduct wall I'd be a bit worried about the railway tracks being held up by the M&S ceiling.

 

[Leighsw2]

Regardless of whether the arches are 'authentic' I think it looks great. Getting rid of all the clothing has freed up a huge amount of space to extend the food range. Popped in on Wednesday to take a look around and I'll be there again tomorrow to do my weekend food shop.

 

[thebackrow]

M&S seem to have built an entire fake viaduct wall (including the arch vaults) - somewhere behind & above this must be the real railway viaduct. It would be interesting to see what the space in between looks like.

View attachment 451921

The bricks in the store are laid in stretcher bond and the arches spring from head height. The viaduct is laid in English bond and the arches spring from the ground. Also the arches of the viaduct are red brick, not yellow - as can be seen across the street on Atlantic Rd.

I'm loving the responses. At a guess, I'd say between the original arch and this are
1) waterproofing layer running to drains
2) insulation (it would be a massive heat sink otherwise and I can't imagine would in any way meet building regs)
3) service void for for power and ventilation.

I put money on it being brick slips and not solid bricks - would be thinner, lighter, and probably cheaper. I like it - the old lined arches weren't pretty. This is a feature.

 

[editor]

This sounds mighty grim:

A Spokesman for the Met Police said: Police were called at approximately 10:20hrs on Thursday, 21 November to reports of two men fighting on a route 59 bus in Brixton Road, SW9.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended.

One of the men was taken to hospital for treatment – condition awaits.

The other man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and taken into police custody.

Police Launch Attempted Murder Investigation Following Brutal Bus Assault in Brixton

Police have launched an attempted murder investigation following a violent assault on a passenger aboard the 59 bus in

uknip.co.uk

 

[editor]

I mentioned it before, but this place on Pope's Road is still empty. I think it's been that way for many decades.

Anyone know the story?

 

[lang rabbie]

Aside from the fact that you couldn't just run a ventilation ducts and electrical trays straight into a solid railway viaduct, another clue that this is not the real viaduct wall is where it stops (red arrow) and the ceiling beams that carry on above & behind it (blue arrow).

If it were the real viaduct wall I'd be a bit worried about the railway tracks being held up by the M&S ceiling.


View attachment 451994

Is that facing wall of the "new" arches actually inside the 1930s M&S building, suggesting that the arches have been continued across the width of the former Bon Marché Arcade with new plant space above?

 

[Jimbeau]

Is that facing wall of the "new" arches actually inside the 1930s M&S building, suggesting that the arches have been continued across the width of the former Bon Marché Arcade with new plant space above?

Nope. At the front of the store the face of the new wall stands only about two feet forward of the bridge abutment. You can see it through the window, stepped back slightly behind the glass.