The Church of England was a major landowner in Bankside and Borough.

In the late 19th century under the guidance and inspiration of Octavia Hill it attempted to build housing that was smaller in scale, lower in density and higher in quality than many of the tenements being built at that time.

The church laid down strict tenancy rules.

The Rev. Bastow owned the land but had no other connection with the area.

Early developments of this type, such as these in Sudrey Street (previously little Suffolk Street) and others in Red Cross Way were in a cottage style, though later designs such as Whitehall Buildings were of a higher density.

Print of an engraving published in The Builder, November 9th 1889, from a drawing by the architect, E.Hoole FRIBA.