In Pictures: 150 Years of Peabody

Lindsey
By Lindsey Last edited 144 months ago
In Pictures: 150 Years of Peabody
Built in 1864, Spitalfields estate in Tower Hamlets was the first Peabody estate. It was designed to include space for local businesses too, as seen above.
Built in 1864, Spitalfields estate in Tower Hamlets was the first Peabody estate. It was designed to include space for local businesses too, as seen above.
Spitalfields Estate
Spitalfields Estate
The Fulham estate was constructed for Peabody in 1912.
The Fulham estate was constructed for Peabody in 1912.
V-1 damage on Peabody Avenue, 1944
V-1 damage on Peabody Avenue, 1944
Cleverly estate after a direct hit from a V1 rocket, 1945
Cleverly estate after a direct hit from a V1 rocket, 1945
This photo shows the actress Julie Wilson (Kiss Me Kate, South Pacific) with young children from Bedfordbury estate in Covent Garden, 1951
This photo shows the actress Julie Wilson (Kiss Me Kate, South Pacific) with young children from Bedfordbury estate in Covent Garden, 1951
Abbey Orchard estate was built for Peabody in the 1880s
Abbey Orchard estate was built for Peabody in the 1880s
Barons Place is a modular construction development for key workers which was completed in September 2004. Today it provides homes for NHS nurses.
Barons Place is a modular construction development for key workers which was completed in September 2004. Today it provides homes for NHS nurses.
Designed by renowned architect Berthold Lubetkin, Priory Green estate was completed in 1957. In the years that followed, this 'model estate' become a sinkhole of poverty and crime. After acquiring the estate in 1999, Peabody carried out extensive regeneration works, transforming the estate. Recently it was given Conservation Area status.
Designed by renowned architect Berthold Lubetkin, Priory Green estate was completed in 1957. In the years that followed, this 'model estate' become a sinkhole of poverty and crime. After acquiring the estate in 1999, Peabody carried out extensive regeneration works, transforming the estate. Recently it was given Conservation Area status.

150 years ago today, The Times announced banker George Peabody's £150,000 founding donation to establish a fund to "ameliorate the condition of the poor and needy" in London through supporting low rent housing. The first dwellings for the “artisans and labouring poor of London” were opened in Commercial Street, Spitalfields in February 1864

Today Peabody — one of London's largest housing associations and community regeneration agencies — owns and manages more than 20,000 homes on 219 estates, with 55,000 residents, 99% of whom live within six miles of Smithfield Market. Browse through the gallery for photos of Peabody estates through the ages.

Peabody are celebrating their 150th anniversary with a year of special events, including a non-denominational service at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, summer street parties for residents, a sports day and much more. Residents' stories will also be collected on the Peabody 150 website.

Visit the special anniversary website and like PeabodyLDN on Facebook for more archive photos and news about Peabody 150 events.

George Peabody is one of our Top 10 London social philanthropists.

Last Updated 26 March 2012