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Historic England Research Records

Limehouse Paperboard Mills

Hob Uid: 1096942
Location :
Greater London Authority
Tower Hamlets
Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ3640080800
Summary : The Limehouse Paperboard Mill was the first mill in this country to make paperboard from waste paper. The mill was built on the site of a derelict late 16th century Dry Dock, the remains of which were noted in the cellars of the paper mill and Hough's wharf. The business was established in 1860 and opened the Mill in 1912 then expanded between the wars, eventually two sites to the west of Limehouse cut were occupied by the mill. The Paperboard mill closed in 1986 due to the pressures of the Docklands redevelopments. The original plan was to convert Hough's wharf into luxury flats, in the event the warehouse was demolished and a new building of similar appearance was built on the site. The mill and surrounding buildings on the north side of Narrow Street have been demolished.
More information : The Limehouse Paperboard Mill was the first mill in this country to make paperboard from waste paper. The mill was built on the site of a derelict late 16th century Dry Dock, the remains of which were noted in the cellars of the paper mill and Hough's wharf. The business was established in 1912-3 and expanded between the wars, eventually two sites to the west of Limehouse cut were occupied by the mill. The paper mill includes a warehouse, a waste stock warehouse and a monorail. Victoria wharf was built by the Regent's Canal and Dock Company in connection with the extension of the Regent's canal dock, and was completed in 1869. The warehouse was built in 1883. Hough's (or R.H.) wharf includes a brick built riverside warehouse of 4-storeys with all, except a single west bay set back from Narrow Street. Divided into two risks with a lift and stairwell at the north end of the dividing wall, the stairwell continues for two storeys above the warehouse and houses a water tank. The warehouse has a flat roof covered by felting and surrounded by a low parapet wall; the tower has a hipped slate roof. Dover wharf was built in 1882, it is a small 2-bay, 3-storey building on Narrow Street, of 3-bays depth with a 3-ridge roof. Two rows of cottages flanked the entrance to Limehouse cut; the five cottages that remained on the east side at the time of the survey had been derelict for some time. The cottages on the west side had been incorporated into the mill buildings. The Paperboard mill closed in 1986 due to the pressures of the Docklands redevelopments. The original plan was to convert Hough's wharf into luxury flats, in the event the warehouse was demolished and a new building of similar appearance was built on the site. The mill and surrounding buildings on the north side of Narrow Street have been demolished. Video and photographic records were made by GLIAS during there recording of the building. (1)

The Mill opened in Limehouse 1912 recycling waste paper and board to manufacture greyboard and other selected products. The Company Robert Hough Ltd was established in 1860. In 1986 the mill was closed and board lamination and sheeting services were moved to Record Street, South East London. (2)

Sources :
Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : BF096415
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Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : Brief history of Limehouse Board by Limehouse Board Mills < http://www.limehouse-board.co.uk/about.html > [Accessed 08-MAY-2014]
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Monument Types:
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Built late C16th
Monument End Date : 1599
Monument Start Date : 1567
Monument Type : Dry Dock
Evidence : Demolished Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Built 1869
Monument End Date : 1869
Monument Start Date : 1869
Monument Type : Wharf
Evidence : Demolished Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Built 1882
Monument End Date : 1882
Monument Start Date : 1882
Monument Type : Wharf
Evidence : Demolished Building
Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Built 1883
Monument End Date : 1883
Monument Start Date : 1883
Monument Type : Warehouse
Evidence : Demolished Building
Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Built by 1913
Monument End Date : 1913
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Paper Mill, Warehouse
Evidence : Demolished Building
Monument Period Name : 20th Century
Display Date : Demolished 1986
Monument End Date : 1986
Monument Start Date : 1986
Monument Type : Paper Mill, Warehouse, Wharf, House
Evidence : Demolished Building

Components and Objects:
Related Records from other datasets:
External Cross Reference Source : NBR Index Number
External Cross Reference Number : 96415
External Cross Reference Notes :
External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 38 SE 122
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :
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Associated Activities :
Activity type : ARCHITECTURAL SURVEY
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