London, with all its mystery and magic, has it all. From tiny statues of mice to mysterious archaic stones displayed in bustling streets, the city is full of beautiful hidden gems and history.
One thing Londoners might be surprised to learn is that the tallest and probably thinnest door in the entire capital was built over a century ago. Found on Flitcroft Street, near Covent Garden, the two-storey door is attached to a red brick building known as the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms and Stores.
Founded in 1904, the building was used as a studio for painting stage backdrops, which went on to appear in several West End stage productions. Apparently the large door was installed to facilitate the transportation of these large scenic backdrops in and out of the building.
READ MORE: The Abandoned Forts in the River Thames That Look Like Something From Star Wars
Interestingly enough, the door wasn’t always that big – photos from the 1900s suggest it was initially only one story high, but doubled in length over time, possibly in an effort to keep up with the growing size of the door. theater sets.
Although the door has been there for over 100 years, it nearly fell victim to two nearby bombings, including one in 1992 when the IRA dropped a bomb outside the building. Fortunately, the bomb did not do much damage.
Today, the painting room is still intact and functioning, although it is no longer run by the Elms Lesters business. The studio was instead converted into an art gallery in 1984 and has been used as a location for photo shoots ever since.
Want more news like this in your inbox? Subscribe to MyLondon’s FREE newsletters here.
Comments are closed.