Downing Street Facade

ShootersHillGuru

Looking at the brickwork on the facade of Number 10 it’s not the type of brickwork you would expect on a London house of that period. I would expect it to be the honey yellow of traditional London Stocks but instead we see a disjointed grey / black patchwork that almost looks as if it’s a coating of some sort. 

Any idea if its always been been like this or why it’s like it is ? 

Rothko

Went black due to pollution, and now there's painted black to keep the look

ShootersHillGuru

Then why not clean which would be the logical thing to do

carly burn

There's that much bullshit swirling about on the inside it's turned the exterior a funny colour.

Johnnysummers5

Rothko said:

Went black due to pollution, and now there's painted black to keep the look

Rolling Stones, did it

Lincsaddick

one of the most famous British 'film sets' .. reserved for speeches from pious, devious liars ham actors

Lincsaddick

Rothko said:

Went black due to pollution, and now there's painted black to keep the look

is the RIGHT answer ((:>)

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-10-downing-street-door-is-black-2015-12?r=US&IR=T

stockportugaladdick

ShootersHillGuru said:

Then why not clean which would be the logical thing to do

They did clean it during a major renovation works in the mid 50's. They discovered the original brickwork was yellow but following cleaning, decided to re paint it black to keep the familiar look folk had become accustomed to, as Rothko said

ShootersHillGuru

Thank you. I must say I’m amazed the decision was made to paint those lovely stocks black. 

eaststandmike

I suspect it has something to do with security/integrity of the building. Probably steel plates to look like bricks. The windows are blast proof and if they do cave in the net curtains are blast and fragment proof and are designed to catch any shrapnel before it enters the room. 

Stig

I couldn't open Lincs' link, but there's a good history here from a rather unlikely source: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/10-downing-street/

razil

CL reaches new depths..

Actually quite an interesting factoid

Addickted

It's that colour following Margaret Thatcher's dirty protest after she was stabbed in the back by her Tory colleagues

seth plum

I am a big fan of Larry the cat.

golfaddick

I heard on QI that the zero in the no 10 sign is at a funny angle too. 

smudge7946

golfaddick said:

I heard on QI that the zero in the no 10 sign is at a funny angle too. 

That's always annoyed me.

orpingtonRED

golfaddick said:

I heard on QI that the zero in the no 10 sign is at a funny angle too. 

Any idea the reason or why its never been changed? It aways bothers me when i see it on TV . Why its at an angle still? Anal i know

Stig

orpingtonRED said:

golfaddick said:

I heard on QI that the zero in the no 10 sign is at a funny angle too. 

Any idea the reason or why its never been changed? It aways bothers me when i see it on TV . Why its at an angle still? Anal i know

See here:

Stig said:

I couldn't open Lincs' link, but there's a good history here from a rather unlikely source: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/10-downing-street/

orpingtonRED

Stig said:

orpingtonRED said:

golfaddick said:

I heard on QI that the zero in the no 10 sign is at a funny angle too. 

Any idea the reason or why its never been changed? It aways bothers me when i see it on TV . Why its at an angle still? Anal i know

See here:

Stig said:

I couldn't open Lincs' link, but there's a good history here from a rather unlikely source: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/10-downing-street/

Thanks.
So its a nod to history. Still think they should just change it and make it straight. Everyone around the world probably sees the 10 and dont notice the angle but those that do will think we are useless if we cant hang a door number straight

smudge7946

They should paint the door red in tribute to our playoff win.

orpingtonRED

It was originally green...i have learned tonight

thai malaysia addick

I think Boris has changed the 10 to the letters IO to represent the number of ins and outs in his cabinet.

Solidgone

Them were the days singing football songs outside No.10 on the way back from an away match. 

sam3110

Anyone here been inside? I was lucky enough to enter 10 Downing Street 2 weeks ago

sam3110

Solidgone

I keep putting my name in the Open House ballot but unsuccessful each year. 

Redrobo

sam3110 said:

Anyone here been inside? I was lucky enough to enter 10 Downing Street 2 weeks ago

Been there a few times. Remarkable by the fact that is so ordinary. Except the room Maggie had decorated like a room in a palace - totally out of keeping with the rest of the house. The library is a lovely room.

Number 11 has the bigger family accommodation though.

Stig

thai malaysia addick said:

I think Boris has changed the 10 to the letters IO to represent the number of ins and outs in his cabinet.

I heard he was having a new door fitted:

charltonbob

Solidgone said:

Them were the days singing football songs outside No.10 on the way back from an away match. 

That was a long time ago, how the hell we ever ended up in Downing street I have no idea