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Downing Street Facade

ShootersHillGuru
ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,622
in Not Sports Related
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 ? 

Comments

  • Rothko
    Rothko Posts: 18,807
    Went black due to pollution, and now there's painted black to keep the look
  • ShootersHillGuru
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,622
    Then why not clean which would be the logical thing to do
  • carly burn
    carly burn Posts: 19,459
    There's that much bullshit swirling about on the inside it's turned the exterior a funny colour.
  • Johnnysummers5
    Johnnysummers5 Posts: 8,469
    Rothko said:
    Went black due to pollution, and now there's painted black to keep the look

    Rolling Stones, did it
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,355
    one of the most famous British 'film sets' .. reserved for speeches from pious, devious liars ham actors
  • Lincsaddick
    Lincsaddick Posts: 32,355
    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
  • stockportaddick
    stockportaddick Posts: 1,135
    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
    ShootersHillGuru Posts: 50,622
    Thank you. I must say I’m amazed the decision was made to paint those lovely stocks black. 
  • eaststandmike
    eaststandmike Posts: 14,956
    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
    Stig Posts: 29,026
    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/
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  • razil
    razil Posts: 15,041
    CL reaches new depths.. ;)

    Actually quite an interesting factoid
  • Addickted
    Addickted Posts: 19,456
    It's that colour following Margaret Thatcher's dirty protest after she was stabbed in the back by her Tory colleagues
  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    I am a big fan of Larry the cat.
  • golfaddick
    golfaddick Posts: 33,628
    I heard on QI that the zero in the no 10 sign is at a funny angle too. 
  • smudge7946
    smudge7946 Posts: 4,131
    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
    orpingtonRED Posts: 3,474
    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
    Stig Posts: 29,026
    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
    orpingtonRED Posts: 3,474
    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
    smudge7946 Posts: 4,131
    edited July 2019
    They should paint the door red in tribute to our playoff win.
  • orpingtonRED
    orpingtonRED Posts: 3,474
    It was originally green...i have learned tonight
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  • thai malaysia addick
    thai malaysia addick Posts: 18,336
    I think Boris has changed the 10 to the letters IO to represent the number of ins and outs in his cabinet.
  • Solidgone
    Solidgone Posts: 10,208
    Them were the days singing football songs outside No.10 on the way back from an away match. 
  • sam3110
    sam3110 Posts: 21,270
    Anyone here been inside? I was lucky enough to enter 10 Downing Street 2 weeks ago
  • sam3110
    sam3110 Posts: 21,270

  • Solidgone
    Solidgone Posts: 10,208
    I keep putting my name in the Open House ballot but unsuccessful each year. 
  • Redrobo
    Redrobo Posts: 11,330
    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
    Stig Posts: 29,026
    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
    charltonbob Posts: 8,259
    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 :smiley:  

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