History

The area was bustling with community, packed with workshops 
and other industrial buildings.

Image: MOLA

The site was within the boundaries of St Mary Overy — a priory which eventually became Southwark Cathedral.

Image: Wellcome Collection (recoloured)

The priory buildings were passed through many owners, including Master of the Horse, Henry VIII (during the dissolution of the monasteries) and Viscount Montague, who gives his name to The Delft’s road Montague Close.

The site was sold to Robert Bromfield and Thomas Overman by Viscount Montague. They operated the lease of the wharf, kickstarting the site’s long association with warehousing.

From 1612–1750, the former chapter house of St Mary Overy/Southwark Cathedral became the centre of delftware pottery, with the first tin-glazed pothouse in Southwark located here.

From 1836, the site was known as New Hibernia Wharf. Hibernia is the original Latin name for Ireland, and the wharf stored butter from Ireland. That’s how this particular stretch of the river got the nickname ‘The Larder of London’.

Image: Britain From Above

Developed in 1979 by Twigg, Brown & Partners, the building was known as Minerva House, and became the London office for Grindlays Bank & Partners. A statue of the Roman goddess ‘Minerva’ was commissioned opposite the building.

The Delft offers 86,000 sq ft of brand new workspace with exceptional panoramic views and an uninterrupted riverside presence.