Sicilian Avenue
Holborn
London, September 2001
“Sicilian Avenue is a Grade II listed, pedestrianised Edwardian avenue in Holborn, London, that runs diagonally between Southampton Row and Bloomsbury Way. Prior to redevelopment into its current state, the area contained shops and houses dating back to the 17th century. Development was made possible as land was cleared to widen what is now the A40, at the north/west end of the avenue. Commissioned by the Bedford Estate and designed by Robert Worley, construction of Sicilian Avenue began in 1906 and concluded in 1910. The avenue is designed in a Baroque Revival style, using Italian marble and terracotta, with Italian and classical motifs, such as colonnades and turrets, throughout. The avenue’s most distinctive feature are its two colonnades of Ionic order columns, one at either end of the avenue, each supporting an entablature with a balustrade supporting two ornate urns. The northwesternmost of these, at the avenue’s Bloomsbury Way entrance, comprises two columns with the end of each entablature terminating in and supported by the corner facades of 17 and 43 Sicilian Avenue. The colonnade at the avenue’s southeastern entrance on Southampton Row is free-standing, this time comprising four Ionic columns, again supporting an entablature and balustrade. The frieze of each colonnade is emblazoned with the name of the avenue in gold serif capitals.” (Sicilian Avenue, Wikipedia)
5 comments:
A peaceful capture
Sicily in London? Sounds like a Disney enterprise!
Great shot. Like how you captured the casual poses of these gentleman.
It's a truly beautiful spot!
The bird, who is not compelled to drink coffee or read the paper - is clearly the one at peace.
Sicilian Avenue was designed by R.J. Worley and completed in 1910. It was designed as a pedestrian shopping area.
The sense of peace is illusory: the exact date of this photo is September 12, 2001.
What a date. I guess that makes the people sad or dumbstruck.
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