1861 – Piccadilly, London
“No one can have passed through Piccadilly without remarking between Arlington Street and the Green Park is the striking block of building which forms the subject of our illustration this week. The erection is sufficient to convince the most sceptical that London thoroughfares might be made as picturesque as any in foreign cities. The sky-line of this building is as admirable as the variety of the details, and the masterly manner in which the outline of every one of them is defined. Mr. Lamb, the architect of the building, invariably gives freshness and originality to everything he designs. It matters not whether it be an Italian or a Gothic building— he treats it not only in a peculiar, but in a peculiarly able manner. He is never tame nor dull — his designs always kindle reflection because they have all been thoughtfully conceived. An ordinary railing in his hands, without being costly, becomes artistically valuable. If he introduces as in this building, red brick bauds, they are introduced exactly where they are required to complete the unity of the composition. Originality with him is something more than novelty; it shows how numerous are the untrodden paths where beauty and grace may be found if architects would but seek them out. The building is devoted to three distinct purposes; it is partly a stable and coach-house (the central and eastern portions of ground floor. It is, at the western end, a shop, and the whole of the upper stories is attached internally to the Bath Hotel, situated at the corner of Arlington Street. Mr. Lamb having to unite three different qualities in the expression of his design, or to subdue the ordinary characteristics of all, has chosen the latter course. He has given us a picturesque piece of street architecture, such as we should rejoice if every street in London possessed one or more of. It is built of stock bricks, with red brick bands and stone dressings. The iron work of the balconies is cleverly managed, and without more than ordinary cost. Bound bars and square bars, by being combined artistically, gratify the eyes of men of taste without affecting the pocket of the proprietor. Mr. Lamb has illustrated here the art-maxim that good architecture is not necessarily dearer than common building, and, by a single example, renders a greater service to art than a dozen lectures would do. The building has been erected for Lord Walsingham, to whose mansion in Arlington Street, it is attached. The builder is Mr. Roberts of Islington. To give our readers a good idea of the details, as well as of the general appearance of the block, we have engraved several of the portions to a large scale. These would of necessity have been imperfectly rendered in a full page general view; but, on a large scale, they are of increased value to the student, and not only illustrate the beauties of the work, but justify the terms in which we have spoken of it. A year ago we gave a full description of the internal arrangements of the building, and to that we would refer such of our readers as wish to learn more about it.
Published February 7, 2026
