The development of Silvertown
Our focus area Silvertown is located between the River Thames and Royal Victoria Dock in the Royal Docks. It forms part of the port of London and the London Borough of Newham. It is known as London's first factory-built town reaching back over a century ago. The origin of its name comes from SW Silver's Rubber Works, one of the first manufacturers in the area.
Silvertown's train station opened in 1863, bringing more businesses and housing to the area, and it also marked a beginning of a new era for these once uninhabited marshes. Our Canary Wharf & Docklands office looks after Silvertown and is on hand for home movers.
History has presented Silvertown with many challenges for the local population to overcome. Silver's factory workers' strike paralysed the area for nearly three months, leading to trade unionists' evolution in London.
Almost three decades later, in 1917, a massive explosion occurred at the Brunner Mond munitions factory, destroying most of the town and killing over 70 casualties. The Second World War brought even more destruction to the newly rebuilt town.
Silvertown was one of the main targets for German shelling. Residents of Silvertown were evacuated from their burning neighbourhood across the river to Woolwich. In the aftermath of these events, the area fell into dereliction, with most of its local businesses, like shops and pubs, following soon after.
Despite its turbulent history Silvertown became known as a place of invention, with creations such as innovative ways of milling, waterproof clothing and underwater communication cables. Its pioneering inventor history is still seen today with the expanse of galleries, salons and workshops, reinventing the atelier profession on a grand scale. As a result, it now seems to be an ideal place for creative people to show and share their work.
Silvertown is a perfect place to raise a family and is considered one of the safest places to live, with a violent crime rate below average. With its lively atmosphere, the town also caters for professionals with quick access to hotspots such as the historic Royal Docks, ExCeL Centre, The O2, and London City Airport, green spaces such as the 14-hectare Thames Barrier Park.
The transport links are also excellent, with international, regional and local travel on your doorstep. Silvertown has access to Crossrail, the DLR and the underground. Central London is an approximately 37-minute journey away. We are an excellent choice when you need an estate agent to establish your Silvertown home's sales value.
Written by Alex Neil Estate Agents
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