Landmark 1

Mondial House - A Landmark in The City
Site History

In the early 1970s, Mondial House was being built on the edge of the River Thames near Cannon Street Railway Station. This building was in great delay due to a number of reasons:-

1) It was on a site of extreme archeological interest, which was causing delay.

2) When started, there was flooding problems from the Thames.

3) There were Industrial disputes.

Photo: Mondial House © John Burt.

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Location
From about 1969 the site between the Thames River and Upper Thames Street, was secured for the building of Mondial House, a modern 1970s styled telephone exchange and office building which was to cater for the growing demand in international telephone calls.

The site needed to be in London, close to the cable networks and convenient for the operators and engineers who were to work there. As land is at a premium in the City, the building had to maximise floor space while retaining a stepped profile to meet the stringent planning permissions and not to obscure too much of St. Paul's Cathedral.

All Hallows the Great

The church of All Hallows the Great, on the Thames Street site, can be traced back many centuries and it is fitting that a study of the immediate area be included in pages about Mondial House.

ALL HALLOWS THE GREAT United with ALL HALLOWS THE LESS.

"Situated on the South Side of Thames Street, was in former times under the patronage of Le De Spencer's the earliest date now to be traced is 1361. The Building suffered in the dreadful fire of 1666, and was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren 1683."

Image © 'Guildhall Library, City of London.'

Dowgate Fire Station (at 94-95 Upper Thames Street)

"The building will incorporate...

...and a fire station fronting on to Upper Thames Street to meet the requirements of the Greater London Council and the City of London."

Cannon Street Station

Cannon Street station was opened on 1st September 1866 as the terminus of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway.

The station complex encompasses all of that which was originally the 'Steelyard' as well these ancient streets and lanes: Chequer Yard, Hand Court, Plumbers' Hall, Wingoose Alley, Turnwheel Lane, Double Hood Court and Steelyard Stairs and Court. Additionally, the southern end of Bush Lane and the western side of All Hallows Lane were demolished.

For location, see Google map

Photo: Viewed from Mondial House - The distinctive towers of Cannon Street Station © LSA 2001.

Today, the only evidence of the original building are the two (listed) towers and retaining walls: The eastern tower (seen nearest) at All Hallows Lane and the western tower at Cousin Lane.

English Heritage listing: Grade II 5th June 1972

"A pair of towers formerly marking junction of train shed with bridge over Thames. Yellow brick with plain, channelled lower stage and more elaborate, open arched upper part with cornice and parapet. Square, domed roof with squat lantern and spire."

City of London Brewery

In the 1970s, some of the larger telephone exchanges had restaurant facilities which included the serving of alcohol...

"Wood Street 1 was not the only exchange to have a bar. Faraday also had one in the 5th floor restaurant."

There was a brewery next to the Mondial House site from early times when Henry Campion (of Campion Lane) owned the land.

	The Hour Glass Brewery at 89 Thames Street was founded in 1431 and was acquired by the Calvert family in 1759. Kent's Directory for the Year 1794 shows the Directory of London and Westminster, & Borough of Southwark, which lists: Calvert Felix & Co. Brewers, Campion Lane, Thames Street.

The Regalia

...And there was once a 'floating pub', The Regalia moored at Swan Pier.

[In April 2011, The Regalia was spotted in Greenwich.]

Photo © utgarthr 2006

References

John Burt

In the early 1970s John Burt was a Senior Executive Engineer (level 3) in the International & Maritime Telecom Region of the Post Office. He was project manager for the Ericsson international switches to be installed at Stag Lane, at the time when the building of Mondial House was in delay.

See John Burt at Stag Lane.

For more background about Dowgate Ward:

The London Burial Grounds
Walbrook & Dowgate Ward in the 18th Century

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