The Buildings called The Adelphi

The Adelphi Buildings formed one of the most notable works of the Adam Brothers, a celebrated family of architects operating in London in the mid-eighteenth century. The buildings were built between 1768 and 1774 and this engraving was produced to commemorate the scheme. It transformed a difficult derelict site leading to the Thames into a highly desirable residential quarter. The problem of the uneven ground and the dangers of flooding were solved by building the houses on a series of brick arches, seen in the engraving.

The design was heavily influenced by Classical architecture which one of the Adam brothers Robert, had studied while visiting Italy in 1754. This was characterised by a lighter more elegant and decorative treatment than had often been seen in London architecture. Not everyone approved of the new style with Horace Walpole saying, ‘ it was like a soldier’s trull in a regimental coat’.

The buildings were demolished in the 1930s and replaced with the New Adelphi making engravings such as this one especially significant as a record of what had been there previously.