Findlater’s Corner in London Bridge, the historic former home of Victorian wine merchants Findlater, Mackie and Todd, will be restored as part of The Arch Company’s Project 1000, a £200m plan to bring a thousand derelict and empty railway arches into use by 2030. 

A familiar sight to commuters crossing London Bridge to the South, Findlater’s Corner has been unoccupied since 2018. Our redevelopment will restore the iconic Baroque revival frontage to its unique and historic setting, including a full refurbishment of the interior of the arches. Upon completion in Autumn 2022 it will create four new units for retail and restaurant businesses.  

The units – ranging from kiosk size to over 4,000sqft – are located immediately opposite Borough Market and are a two-minute walk from London Bridge Station. Situated within the viaduct structure built by South Eastern Railway in 1863-1865 to bring trains from London Bridge into the West End at Charing Cross and into the City at Cannon Street. 

A well-known former inhabitant of the London Bridge Island site was wine merchant Findlater’s Mackie & Todd, who held a Royal Warrant. Findlater’s traded from 1865 – 1967, with the area nicknamed Findlater’s Corner by Londoners who passed by the company’s prominent position. Eagle eyed passers-by will spot the faded sign of Findlater’s Corner on the unloved brickwork today. 

The striking clock, with its ceramic stag’s head, referencing Findlater’s Scottish roots and whisky business, is one of the most visible in the city, and soon will be restored to keep time. In 1897, the original Victorian wine shop architecture was replaced with a Beaux Arts style faience (in a similar material to that was used at the Savoy Hotel). Today, this frontage remains one of the finest examples of a glazed faience façade in the capital.  

We are partnering with multidisciplinary Frankham Consultancy Group and Benedict O’Looney Architects for this project. Heritage groups are also partnering on the restoration including the Railway Heritage Trust, the Heritage of London Trust, and Southwark Council’s Cleaner, Greener, Safer fund. 

Managing Director of The Arch Company, Adam Dakin, said: 

“Findlater’s Corner is an iconic part of the fabric of London Bridge and the capital’s history, which is why we’re proud to be restoring it and bringing it back into use. This is part of our wider £200m Project 1000 plan to bring a thousand derelict and empty arches into use by 2030, creating space for hundreds of extra businesses and many thousands of jobs.” 

Architect Benedict O’Looney said: 

“This is one of the oldest and most significant historic sites in Southwark, sitting just opposite the southern end of the medieval London Bridge and Southwark Cathedral. It’s a truly London story, with the glazed terracotta façade made just up-river at the Doulton’s factory on the Albert Embankment at Lambeth. The robust Doulton’s ‘Carraraware’ was the perfect material for Victorian London’s smoky atmosphere.” 

Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust, Andy Savage, said: 

“The Railway Heritage Trust has supported Network Rail in preserving the architecturally interesting and historically important details of London Bridge, London’s oldest railway station. We’re delighted to continue that work in this area with The Arch Company at Findlater’s Corner.” 

Director of Heritage of London Trust, Nicola Stacey, said: 

“We are so pleased to be supporting this project and bringing this site back to life. The site is very prominent and heavily populated, visited by local workers, residents and many tourists. Its restoration will bring back an attractive, striking London landmark and grand gateway to London Bridge.” 

You can visit Findlater’s Corner and discover this historical site. The postcode is SE1 9SU. 

If you are interested in the units, please contact our agents Union Street Partners. 

Image credit: AVR London Ltd | avr.london