Working Lads’ Institute, Whitechapel (Phase I)

It has been determined to provide a new Working Lads Institute for East London. A plot of freehold land has been secured in Whitechapel, opposite the London Hospital, and adjoining the East London Railway Station, Whitechapel-road. The contractor for the new building is Mr. B. E. Nightingale, and the architect, Mr. G. Baines. The new institute will provide the means of mental and moral improvement and healthy recreation for about 1,000 members, the accommodation afforded including a refreshment-room, a gymnasium, a reading-room with students’ room and library, five class-rooms, mechanical workshop, school of art, dormitories for forty members, swimming and private baths, and a lecture hall, with gallery to seat 660 persons.  The dormitories are specially provided for lads coming from the country, and those without a home."[The East London Observer, Saturday, 18th October, 1884].

The foundation stone for the new building was laid by the Lord Mayor of the City of London on Wednesday, 15th October, 1884, and, over the next 12 months, the new building, which on completion would be the tallest building in Whitechapel at the time, was erected.  The new building stands adjacent to the Whitechapel station of the East London line, and partly over the railway. It is built of red brick, with stone dressings, and the front consists of a ground floor and four stories above. [The London Daily News, Monday, 2nd November, 1885.]

The new Working Lads Institute building was opened on Saturday the 31st of October, 1885 by the Princess of Wales, who was accompanied by her husband, the Prince of Wales, and their eldest son, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence.

Reference        The East London Observer, Saturday, 18th October, 1884
Reference        The London Daily News, Monday, 2nd November, 1885
Reference        The Illustrated London News, Saturday, 7th November, 1885.
Reference        The Graphic, Saturday, 7th November, 1885.