Was Tothill House always a luxury apartment building? No. Not at all. Right here before you stands Tothill House. A Grade II listed building. Designed by the renowned architect Edward Lutyens. It is a testament to architectural brilliance. But its story is far richer than its current elegant facade. For centuries this site held a different purpose. A darker one.
Tothill House didn’t begin as apartments. It has deep roots. It’s linked to the infamous Tothill Fields Bridewell Prison. A House of Correction. Built in 1618. It was meant to employ the lazy poor. Later it became a prison for criminals. Think about that. Luxury apartments now. A prison before.
The original prison expanded in 1655. During Queen Anne’s reign it housed criminals. Imagine the sounds. The cries. The despair echoing through these very walls. In 1834 a larger prison replaced it. It was designed by Robert Abraham. A circular design. To allow warders to supervise from a central point. A panopticon.
The old prison was demolished. This stone gateway remains. The only visible remnant of that dark past. Think of the people who passed through that gateway. Notable prisoners included the painter John Trumbull. Imprisoned for alleged treason. Also James Tilly Matthews. He was apparently insane.
The second prison closed in 1877. Prisoners were moved to Millbank Prison. The site of Tothill Fields Prison became Westminster Cathedral. The prison’s foundations were reused. Can you believe it? The stones under your feet. They held both prisoners and worshippers.
Today Tothill House offers a stark contrast. Spacious apartments. Dual aspect reception rooms. A lift. A residents’ courtyard. All amenities are close. Victoria Station is nearby. Local shops bars and restaurants abound. It is close to the River Thames and Tate Britain. The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey are a short distance away.
Yet every time you walk through the halls of Tothill House. Remember the souls who walked before you. The prison. The cathedral. Tothill House holds a fascinating history. A dual existence. A history you won’t find in most brochures. So next time you look at this building remember. More than just apartments stand here.