Walk – The History and Design of Allen’s Estate & Gardens, Stoke Newington

Built in the 1870s as part of the Victorian redevelopment of the former Abney Manor Estate (house demolished in 1843) into what became known as the Stamford Hill area of Stoke Newington, Allen’s Estate is an unusual grouping of elegant flat roofed apartments in an area almost entirely defined by conventional pitched roofed villas and terraces on the plots of the other house builders that developed the former estate. Whereas Allen's suburban blocks step back from the street and sit astride the junction between Bethune and Manor Roads and extend along much of their length forming broad tree lined avenues. Its these continental style avenues, the estate’s extensive grounds, and planting that allude to its history and design choices. This walk is delivered by Darren Silk an Architectural Assistant and the 3x great grandnephew of Matthew Allen who originally designed and built this innovative estate. The estate also shows how many of the ideas he formulated as the builder and designer for the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company developed further in this extensive three year long project. The walk aims to inform on both the history and the design of this innovative estate and fill in as many missing pieces.