I saw this group of Mediterranean-style buildings on a long peregrination around East London. I went back to have a closer look. This is the “Donnybrook Quarter” which stands on a corner of Parnell Road, in Tower Hamlets. I arrived just as the sun was setting.
The Donnybrook Quarter was completed ready for occupation in 2006. The architects were Peter Barber Architects.
The architects write: “The scheme is laid out around two new tree lined streets which cross the site creating very strong spatial connections with adjacent neighborhoods and a handy cut through for their residents” (Peter Barber Architects.)
Here are snapshots of the tree-lined streets they mention. These pictures were taken in January 2026, so the trees aren’t perhaps as flourishing as they might be in the summer.
A photo-essay on the “Tower Hamlets Slice” website has some beautiful pictures by Yev Kazannik from April 2000. The essay provides interesting background to the development. It quotes Peter Barber as saying:
“…the style came about at the request of local residents during community consultations in the early to mid-2000s before the project was finished in 2006.
‘The residents were thinking, “Spain! Holidays! Marbella!” I’m completely happy with that,’ Barber said in an interview.”
Peter Barber goes on to say:
“…’This project is a celebration of the public social life of the street,’ ..
‘A worrying amount of building in London is done as a gated community. This is a counter-blast to that.’ “
Yez Kazannik comments:
“Walking through the lanes of Donnybrook, you will feel this neighbourly intimacy. Uniquely, the building units themselves have no corridors, entrances or ‘connecting’ spaces. Each room simply opens out into another. The streets themselves are meant to be the corridors, where neighbours can amble across each other. “
The concept is perhaps better understood from the air. Here’s an image from the architects’ website:
Here’s my snapshot of one of the streets:
I’d be interested to know how it works in practice.
If you’d like to find it, the development is just south of Victoria Park.
The number 8 bus goes along Old Ford Road, and took me back to the City after I’d done this sketch.
Jane Sketching 