Description

Page Street London

History

Page Street is located in the Heart of Westminster within close proximity of The Tate Britain, Houses of Parliament and the River Thames. 

The Page Street Conservation Area comprises two estates of early 20th century housing, built as social housing to replace slums in this previously overcrowded part of Westminster. The Regency Estate includes three turn-of-the-century red brick blocks off Regency Street and Schomberg House, which is slightly later in date but detailed to reflect the design of earlier blocks. The Grosvenor Estate, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, dates from the same period as Schomberg House but adopts a different style, with its distinctive chequerboard elevational treatment, L-shaped communal courtyards and gallery access. 

Sir Edwin Lutyens is one of the most celebrated of British Architects and is well known for his works which also include the British Embassy in Washington DC, New Delhi, the Cenotaph in Whitehall close to the residence of the British Prime Minister and his influence extends throughout the City of Westminster.

www.lutyenstrust.org.uk

The conservation area is of historic significance as an area of good quality early 20th century social housing and also of significant architectural interest, exhibiting firstly, the typical Arts and Craft style of the turn of the century and secondly, the dynamic movement towards the modern movement with Lutyens' striking blocks. The estates remain largely unaltered demonstrating the original quality of workmanship and materials.

The names of the blocks here are as follows: Norfolk, Probyn, Jessel, Schomberg, Abady, Edric, Bennett, Tothill & Rogers Houses.

A short walk away exists amenities such as Shepherds Restaurant on Marsham Street (owned by Sir Michael Caine and popular with MPs) and the Regency Cafe' on Regency Street and exudes such character that it was famously featured in the 2004 film Layer Cake starring Daniel Craig (later of course to feature in several 007 Bond Films), also one of the checkerboard buildings was featured in the 1988 Film Buster with Phil Collins.

Regency Café 

The famous Regency Café, established in 1946 is an archetypal working class restaurant and sits on the corner of Page and Regency Street. It bellows charm with its deco exterior, tiled walls, gingham curtains, formica tables and exudes history. Few establishments these days maintain such historical charm and instead constantly reinvent themselves in order to keep up with the latest fads. 

The clientele here can be quite diverse with a mix from the Tate Museum, Channel 4 TV and various Government Departments. They come here to enjoy reasonably priced fare such as the full English Breakfast and to hear the staff shouting out the orders from behind the counter.