Perseverance Works tells a unique story about Hackney’s remarkable journey from an industrial zone to a hub of creativity. Today, PW is more than a complex of historic buildings – it’s a showcase of the area’s cultural significance.
Awarded listed status in 2016, PW’s historical, architectural and environmental significance was recognised by Hackney Council after an in-depth assessment by architectural historian Dr Ann Robey. Her report traces a fascinating history of change and perseverance, demonstrating the evolution of the site over centuries.
Beginnings: Gardens and Tentergrounds (1748-1804)
The earliest records of Perseverance Works date back to 1748 when the area served an entirely different purpose. Back then, the land included both gardens and a tenterground – an open space for drying newly manufactured cloth. This tenterground reveals the area’s early role in the textile industry—a sector that would continue to shape the local economy for more than a century. Maps show that by 1804, the street frontages along Hackney Road, Kingsland Road, and what was then called Union Street (now Cottons Gardens) had started to fill in with buildings, but a garden remained, accessible via a passage from Kingsland Road. This green space would eventually disappear as Hackney industrialized in the 19th century.
Mid-19th Century: Industry Takes Shape
The mid-19th century marked a period of transformation. As London’s industrial needs grew, so did the network of streets, lanes, and courtyards in Hackney. Perseverance Works emerged as a tightly packed complex with buildings of varied architectural styles, each constructed at different times by different owners for distinct industrial purposes. This eclectic layout highlights the site’s character—each building reflecting a different stage in its history.
By the 1870s, Perseverance Works operated as a builders’ yard, a role it maintained until after World War II. The site also became known as Hackney Road Works, and housed a textile factory making corsetry and hosiery, reflecting the area’s continued ties to the fabric and garment industries. Alongside the textile operations were businesses from other trades, including Howard Wall Ltd., a prominent metal stamping company, as well as leather workers and various furniture manufacturers. By the 1940s, the site even hosted a steel furniture maker, showcasing the adaptability of the space to meet shifting industrial demands.
You can hear an interview with Carol Metcalfe, whose father worked in the maintenance team at Perseverance Works from 1936 to the 1980s, here. Carol also worked at PW, and describes the hustle and bustle of the courtyard, its strange smells, and people running to and fro. She also tells of the time she tried to finish a Jane Austen essay while working in razor assembly, and the disastrous consequences!
1950s-1990s: Decline and Regeneration
In the post-war period, as in much of London’s East End, many furniture factories, builders’ yards, and manufacturers moved out to the Lea Valley and other suburban areas where space was cheaper. This left many buildings in South Hackney abandoned, and the area fell into decline. Perseverance Works, like much of Shoreditch, was largely overlooked until the late 1980s and early 1990s, when the low cost of space, coupled with its proximity to the City, sparked a wave of interest from artists, designers, and architects.
Recognizing the potential of these historic warehouses, architects CZWG led a major redevelopment project in the early 1990s, transforming Perseverance Works into a site that could accommodate a range of new uses, including commercial spaces, studios, residential units, and office spaces. This transformation preserved the architectural character of the complex while adapting it for contemporary needs. CZWG’s design retained much of the original structure, emphasizing the old and new, and turned Perseverance Works into one of the area’s first dedicated creative hubs.
Today: Blending Past and Present Architecture
One of the key factors behind Perseverance Works’ listed status is its architectural uniqueness. Formerly a collection of warehouses and workshops, the site’s varied construction styles reflect its development over time, from the mid-19th century to the present. CZWG’s renovation preserved many of the historic elements while introducing modern touches like the steel-clad Hangar building and Cottons Gardens development. These contemporary additions complement the older structures, creating an architectural landscape that celebrates history and innovation.
Environmental and Aesthetic Appeal: An Oasis in Hackney
Beloved by tenants and visitors alike, the Perseverance Works courtyard offers a peaceful green space in the heart of Hackney. A central element in the listing application, the courtyard represents our environmental commitment in an urban setting. Accessible by narrow passages and surrounded by an eclectic mix of buildings, it provides a calm, welcoming space that contrasts with the dense network of streets around it. The courtyard is also home to The Artisan sculpture (pictured below) by Allen Jones, an iconic piece symbolizing the industrious spirit of the site’s past.
Today, Perseverance Works stands as one of Hackney’s most distinctive sites, illustrating Hackney’s transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a vibrant creative district. From gardens and textile drying grounds to an industrial hub and finally a creative community, the space reflects the resilience of Hackney itself and offers a fascinating glimpse into East London’s past.
