HISTORY
Millennium Mills
Est. 1905
Once Europe's largest mill of its kind, now among the last undeveloped industrial buildings in east London
Locally Listed
1855
Royal Victoria Dock was opened. At 13 metres deep, the dock featured the latest technology in dockside cranes and could handle multiple numbers of the new iron-clad steamships that were travelling the British Empire.
1905
The Docks quickly became London’s largest centre for flour milling. This year marked the completion of the Millennium Mills by Vernon & Sons, designed to convert imported grain into flour for the domestic market.
1933
Millennium Mills are rebuilt by Spillers, who took over Vernon & Son, in the Art Deco-style architecture seen to this day. The original structures were razed to the ground following a nearby explosion earlier in 1917.
1939-1945
The Royal Docks suffered major bomb devastation during the Second World War, including damage to buildings and transport infrastructure, although it remained operational on a limited basis.
Photo: Designing Buildings Wiki
Photo: Royal Docks
1960s
The creation of containerised cargo and other radical technological advances had implications on the viability of traditional docks, including the Royal Docks. Larger container ports for modern ships were introduced further down the river.
1981
The Docks close to commercial traffic for the final time on 7 December 1981, contributing to masses of unemployment and social problems across East London. This year also marked the permanent closure of Millennium Mills.
Photo: Ian Visits
ROYAL DOCKS FROM ABOVE
Historic aerial imagery depicting the structural changes to the urban form and built environment of London's Royal Docks over the decades.
PREVIOUS PROPOSALS
2001
Early blueprints in 2001, and subsequently abandoned in 2009, saw a £1.5 billion plan emerge to build a aquarium called Biota! beside the Millennium Mills.
It was due to be operated by London Zoo as the world’s first aquarium entirely based on the principles of conservation.
Photo: Terry Farrell Architects
2015
Silvertown Partnership gained planning permission for a £3.5 billion development of the wider site to provide offices, leisure and retail facilities and 3,000 homes, as well as a school.
The Millennium Mills were earmarked to be renovated and converted into a hub for start-up businesses.
Photo: Silvertown Partnership
2019
Joint developers Lendlease and Starwood Capital received consent for the first phase of Silvertown Quays, which will see nearly 1,000 homes built.
The application also includes the refurbishment and reinvention of Millennium Mills to create a new east London destination with exhibition space, cafés and dining as well as workspaces for new businesses. Silo D will also be retained and form part of a new community space alongside the waterfront.
Photo: Pollard Thomas Edwards Architects