The Millbank Estate comprises of 17 apartment blocks of 5 to 7 storeys
in height. All are constructed in brick. The pollarded plane trees are just
starting to unfold their leaves.
The style of architecture is rather traditional. The large chimney
stacks (shown o the left) are an example of this. The overall feel of the
architecture is less Mansion Block and more Dutch-revival as is clearly shown
on the right with the high gable ends and the use of long dormers on the steep
pitched roofs.
The central school building is lower than the housing that surrounds it.
It is also built in a different colour brick. The sandy yellow colour dominates
the facades. Red brick is used as accents around the windows, doors and in
banding. This creates a more English gothic-revival feel for this building
setting it apart from the surrounding housing blocks.
The plinths of the apartment blocks are similar to the design of the
school. The large and ornate entrance surrounds in carved stone painted white
are very eye-catching. Ornament also stretches further up as small turrets on
the corners embellish the architecture as a way of counteracting sameness
between the blocks.
The blocks either side of the Millbank Gardens are arranged in a
parallel manner. These blocks clearly show of the architecture to its best
advantage, especially now that the trees are not obscuring most of the facades.
The stone surround of the entrances are rather shapely neo-baroque
additions. In similar style some of the blocks were designed with high gable
ends resembling Dutch Gables. Here an example that combines the Spout and Bell
Gable. The protruding sections flanking a balcony are a lovely device to add
interest to this large building facade.
Some of the blocks resemble warehouses from Amsterdam with the long
facades and the white top section just below the roof.
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