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The Wapping Hydraulic Pumping Station
The Wapping Pumping Station from the southeast with alterations in progress.
This set of fine Victorian industrial buildings on Wapping Wall was built between 1889-93 for the London Hydraulic Power Company to provide hydraulic power for cranes and lifting bridges etc. throughout inner London. The pumping station was the last working station of five built for the company and is the best preserved. It closed in 1977.
The fabric of the building was restored by the London Docklands Development Company during the mid-nineties. It is currently being converted for use as a theatre and exhibition venue by the Women's Playhouse Trust.
The building is Grade ll* listed and some of the original machinery has been retained inside.
Although occasional exhibitions have been held, the pumping station is not due to open to the public until mid-October 2000.
The interior of part of the Wapping Pumping Station. The picture shows one of the main plantrooms where the original machinery is being retained as an exhibit. The new restaurant (due to open in October 2000) is being set up beyond the arches in the background of the picture.