In April 1856, the St Saviour’s District Board made a request to the Metropolitan Board of Works for the creation of a new street that would connect the South Eastern Railway terminus at London Bridge station with the West End. This street marked the first project undertaken by the Board and was successfully completed in 1864. It was constructed through a densely populated section of the parish, necessitating the crossing of pre-existing roads and streets, resulting in irregularly shaped plots for future development. The intersection of this new street with Borough High Street is subtly curved, creating a somewhat confusing transition between the two streets. To exacerbate the situation, the lack of a Street Name Plate and inconsistent street numbering further complicates identification. The division between them occurs at the junction with Bedale Street on the northern side, while on the southern side, the street only begins after the ’fork’ opposite Stoney Street, approximately 130 meters to the west.
Beneath the street’s surface, a tunnel was constructed, featuring side passages designed to accommodate utilities like gas, water, drainage pipes and telegraph wires for communication. This underground infrastructure was considered advanced for its time.
During the initial decade of the street’s existence, numerous large commercial buildings were erected along its length. The Hop Exchange, constructed in 1874, is a prominent structure located on the northern side, occupying most of the quadrant formed by the street and the railway viaduct. In the 1870s, the former Menier Chocolate Factory on Southwark Street underwent a transformation into an arts complex, housing an art gallery, restaurant, and theater, opening its doors in 2004. In 1932, Borough Market added a formal gateway along with administrative offices at Nos. 6 and 8. In 1958, the Trustees erected a small office building at the junction with Stoney Street, known as ’St. Margaret’s House.’ At No. 110, the western end of the street, IPC Media’s headquarters is housed in the ’Blue Fin Building,’ which was completed in 2007.
Beneath the railway bridge that carries trains from the south to Blackfriars Station, there are urban art installations on the south side. On the north side, the word ’BANKSIDE’ is prominently displayed in large lettering, covering most of the wall along the pavement.
Of note is the building on the southwest corner of the junction with Great Guildford Street, which carries an unusual address, numbered as 59½.
