An airless excrescence

While researching the age of our flat, I came across a detailed history of housing construction in the immediate area. Until the 19th Century, our neighbourhood was part of a rural estate known as Chalcots. As late as 1811 there were only six houses on the whole estate. How times have changed. According to the most recent census (2001) the same area now has more 95,600 households, home for more than 198,000 people.

My research reveals that the bulk of our neighbourhood was built over a period of 80 years. Our house was constructed in the later half of the 1800s. In 1881, a gentleman called William Willett the elder undertook to erect 200 houses in north-western 15 acres of the estate. He agreed to complete this assignment by 1900. Although he didn't erect as many buildings as planned, he was responsible for 37 red-brick houses built in our street between 1882-5, including our own.

Willett's red-brick houses were popular at the time, although later described as 'airless excrescences'. The dictionary describes 'excrescences' as "an outgrowth or enlargement, especially an abnormal one, such as a wart." Here's the airless wart we live in. Judge for yourself.