Out with the new, in with the old

here's a building with an interesting history. The plaques on the wall, are Coadstone, a cement stone invented by the first woman of construction, Mary Coad, and used extensively throughout neo-classical construction, the most famous are the Lions that perch either side of the south side of Westminster Bridge. This building was described by Nicholas Pevsner as the most important building in London, not that it looks like much, but it was the source of all the coadstone decoration for all of Londons most important buildings and monuments. The Surrey canal ended at the front door of this workshop, and barges carried stone, lime and cement to the door, and carried away some of the most beautiful decorative pieces that are the real reason why Victorian architecture is remembered. On this site, buildings have stood since the 17th century, although what remains of earlier buildings is no more than the foundations. The building seems to have been knocked down and rebuilt several times, and most recently at the beginning of the 1900's, the remaining plaques, possibly apprentices pieces, have changed position many times. Up until recently the building was derelict and in danger of collapse, but the conversion of the property into residential units is nearly complete, the restoration paid for by the construction of a new block at the rear, through the old coach doors.