Overview of Alice Billing House 

Alice Billing House, located in Stratford, Newham, was originally constructed in 1905–06 as accommodation for the West Ham Fire Brigade. Designed by Borough Engineer John G. Morley, the complex consists of two three-storey buildings arranged around a central courtyard. The North Block is Grade II listed, notable for incorporating a rare hose-drying tower within purpose-built firemen’s housing - an architectural rarity. 

Architectural and Civic Heritage 

Alice Billing House forms part of a larger cluster of significant municipal buildings, including the former Stratford Town Hall and West Ham Court House (both Grade II listed). Together, these buildings reflect the civic ambition and architectural identity of Stratford’s development during the late Victorian and Edwardian period (1869–1906). Stone carvings on the adjacent Town Hall still reference the original use: ‘West Ham Fire Brigade Station No. 1’. 

Naming and Legacy 

The building was named Alice Billing House in the 1990s by Newham Environmental Health Services, in honour of Alice Billing, a pioneering local sanitary inspector and one of the first women to hold such a role nationally. Her story - largely unknown - inspires community engagement programme.

Current Significance and Condition 

While the heritage significance of Alice Billing House is high - due to its architectural and historical, and values - its deteriorated condition detracted from its impact. This presented a transformational opportunity: to restore and reinvigorate the site through heritage-led regeneration, bringing it back into use as a cultural and creative hub for Newham’s young and diverse population. 

Engagement Programme and Cultural Activation 

In 2021, Creative Land Trust secured funding from the Greater London Authority’s High Streets for All Fund, appointing Hive Curates to develop a 12-month cultural programme. Activities began in and around the site to build momentum and engage communities in the building’s future. Activities included Heritage walks and talks; workshops installations and health and wellbeing classes. In 2023, Grow Studios partnered with the Creative Land Trust (CLT) to transform Alice Billing House into a new hub of artist studios and to deliver a new heritage-led cultural and community engagement programme - Creative Futures. 

Vision for the Future 

Grow Studio’s vision for Alice Billings House is envisioned as an accessible, inclusive, and creative space, rooted in local history yet looking to the future. The building’s move to use as artist studios and a community-facing project space ensures its heritage lives on through active use, cultural participation and public engagement.