History Of Bow Quarter
Bow Quarter is now a gated community in the heart of Tower Hamlets but is a fascinating place that once played a significant role in our island’s story.
Bow Quarter is now a gated community in the heart of Tower Hamlets but is a fascinating place that once played a significant role in our island’s story.
The 3 acre site was acquired, in 1861 by Bryant & May. They were primarily candle and tallow manufacturers, but also imported matches from Sweden. It’s hard to imagine now, but in those days, matchmaking was big business. Almost every home was heated by open fires and they were an essential part of any household’s inventory. With demand growing they decided to set up their own factory in Bow Quarter. The site already had a number of buildings which had been used in the manufacture of candles, rope and a crinoline. These were subsequently adapted for matchmaking and, over the years, more buildings were added and the site grew.
By 1872, it had become one of the UK’s largest factories, with over 3,000 matchgirls employed onsite. Conditions were tough and the dipping machines they used contained white phosphorous, which was highly toxic. The fumes caused a condition known as phossy jaw. Sufferers developed terrible abscesses in their mouths, leading to serious facial disfigurement and sometimes fatal brain damage.
In 1884 the journalist, Annie Besant, began an investigation into the matchgirls’ appalling working conditions, taking a particular interest in Bryant & May’s factory at Bow Quarter. She arranged a number of clandestine interviews with the workers, culminating in a magazine article titled ‘White Slavery in London’. In it, she described their ten hour days, pitifully low wages and their fines for lateness and talking. She also described how the foremen would often hit the girls and revealed the full horrors of phossy jaw. When Bryant & May sacked the girl they suspected of being primary source of the leak, the others refused to sign a document refuting the story and, instead, went on strike.
The public’s reaction was surprisingly mixed, some claiming it was political agitation. It was, though, enough to shame Bryant & May into making some seismic changes. They ended the system of fines, provided a subsidised canteen and recognised the newly formed Matchmakers Union, the UK’s first ever women’s union, even allowing them to take over from the foremen. Those momentous events are now commemorated by a blue plaque by the main entrance door.
The factory only finally shut its doors in 1979, when manufacturing moved to Liverpool.
But that was not the end of Bow Quarter’s story.
By the 80s, the factory was in a sorry state but in 1988 it was bought by property developers, Kentish Homes. In what was, at the time, a truly pioneering move, they began the East End’s first major regeneration project. The design concept was equally brave – ORMS Architects were commissioned to design a series of Manhattan style loft apartments, all named after areas of New York - Lexington, Park East, Staten, Park Central and so on. On what was, by then, a 7 acre site, they set about creating 733 one and two bed apartments, as well as converting the accommodation cottages into more modern homes. At the same time, they added a gym, restaurant, bar and a convenience shop, all of which added to development’s unique sense of community.
It is now a highly sort after development and has been the subject of many architectural articles, as well as appearing in various TV programmes, including a starring role in the 2004 TV series – ‘If’. As a result, Bow Quarter’s values have risen substantially over the years, especially in the aftermath of the 2012 Olympics. Now, if you want to buy a one bed apartment, prices start at around £300,000 for a studio, rising to around £400,000 to £500,000 for a two bed apartment. If you were looking to rent at Bow Quarter, prices start at £1,150 per calendar month for a studio apartment, rising to around £1,800 per calendar month for a two bedroom apartment.
Oliver Jaques have been the official on-site agent for over 20 years, and our experienced team have an unrivaled knowledge and unique insight into Bow Quarter life, and what makes the development so sought-after.