
Marking the 150th anniversary of our first estate
In 1864, our first homes were completed
Today marks 150 years to the day since our first homes were completed, heralding the birth of large-scale social housing in England.
The first Peabody estate opened on 29 Feb 1864, on Commercial Street, Spitalfields, east London. The estate pioneered unheard-of (at the time) luxuries such as separate laundry rooms and space for children to play, at a time when London had some of the most horrific slums in Europe.
Spitalfields, 1864
The size of the gift by our founder, George Peabody, which launched the Peabody Donation Fund, meant that for the first time the labouring poor of London had access to a good home, a real sense of purpose, and a strong feeling of belonging.
Our Chief Executive, Stephen Howlett, says:
“It is 150 years ago today since the birth of social housing at scale, conceived by George Peabody to 'ameliorate the condition of the poor and needy of the great metropolis' of London.
"One hundred and fifty years later we have extended this enduring mission; providing a good home, a real sense of purpose and a strong feeling of belonging to over 70,000 Londoners. In the midst of austerity and an affordable housing crisis in the capital, this work has never been more important.”
Spitalfields, 2014
The Commercial Street building is no longer a Peabody building; it is now a private residential block
For more Peabody history, please visit our 150th anniversary website, launched in 2012 to commemorate 150 years since our founder set up the Peabody Donation Fund.
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About us
Following the merger with Family Mosaic in June 2017, the Peabody Group now owns and manages more than 55,000 homes across London and the South East, housing over 111,000 residents. We also have 8,000 care and support customers.
Peabody runs an extensive number of community programmes which are open to all Londoners.