Gwynn's proposed improvements to London Bridge and Custom House

GWYNN, John.

Part of London shewing the Improvments propos'd about London-Bridge, the Custom-House, tower &c.
London, 1766.Original colour. 320 x 510mm.

Trimmed to platemark on right edge.

A scarce plan revealing Gwynn's envisioned enhancements to the areas surrounding London Bridge and Custom House, including Borough, Newham and Tower Hill. The plan shows the orginal site for St Thomas's Hospital before it was replaced for a railway viaduct in 1862.
The red lines show an intention to regularize the street plan, replacing the irregular streets with a gridlike formation.
This map is one of four plans published by the Architect John Gwynn in his work 'London and Westminster Improved, Illustrated by Plans', in which he advocates a completely new street layout involving huge efforts and demolition of many buildings in the area. He calls for the commissioning of public works from British artists, and integrated urban planning for London. According to the Royal Academy "his proposals and maps foreshadow such developments as Regent Street, Waterloo Bridge, the Thames Embankment and Trafalgar Square".


Stock ID : 24128