Despite a meeting hall being promised next to 100 Tower Gardens Road in the original plans but never materializing, the estate has a rich history of active residents, from the Welfare Association to the Tower Gardens Residents Group.

The building at 100 Tower Gardens Road has been a cornerstone of the estate for over a century. Built shortly before 1920, it was established as the official estate office, from which the LCC managed the tenancies and maintenance of this pioneering housing development. In its earliest days, it was used for tenants’ association meetings, a role it reprised in the 1970s after the tenants’ club building burnt down, and was also used for other occasional community events. This historical precedent of public and social use is a vital part of its identity. 

The building ceased to be the estate office in the 1990s and was repurposed to house HomeStart – a charity helping families with young children – and then also a SureStart nursery in the late 2000s. Its life across the last century demonstrates a strong legacy of social and community use for the benefit of local residents.

Social activities on the estate

The estate has always had lots of social activities. The White Hart Lane Estate Welfare Association organised a wide range of well-supported activities, events over the years, including whist drives, dances, sports clubs (cricket, bowls, netball, tennis, football, cycling and swimming), annual sports days, “mums and dads” days in August, flower competitions and a loan club. A monthly Newsletter (delivered by street reps to all homes) is produced up to the 1950s.

Social history

Original permission to use 100 Tower Gardens Road

Back in 1919, the original Residents Group was allowed to use space in 100 Tower Gardens Road for meetings. One hundred years later, we hope this will become a space managed by the community for the community!

Below we can see the request and permission granted to use space in the building, conserved at The London Archives.