Little North Street, originally part of Ducking Pond Row, began to be developed in the early 19th century under the name Watson’s Buildings. It was situated on the south side of the street, with Wood’s Buildings, Hope Place, Gossips Gardens, and North Place branching off from it. On the north side, there were several separate small properties.
By 1873, the street had been renamed Little North Street, while Brady Street was referred to as North Street during that time. Little North Street underwent significant reconstruction. At the western end on the north side, a “National School for Boys and Girls” was established, followed by a row of identical terraced cottages that backed onto those in Buck’s Row.
With the construction and opening of Whitechapel underground Station in 1876 and the excavation required for the new railway lines, the school was replaced by a new Board School built in 1876-1877. On the south side, there were a few dwellings, as well as the premises of Harrison, Barber & Co, horse slaughterers, who employed James Mumford, Henry Tomkins, and Charles Bretton. Adjacent to Wood’s Buildings was the recreation ground of the Working Lad’s Institute. On 12 October 1883, Little North Street was renamed Winthrop Street.
Around 1900, the south side of Winthrop Street underwent extensive redevelopment due to the construction of another railway link, the Whitechapel and Bow Railway. Additionally, the terraced houses on the north side suffered damage during the war years of 1939-1945.
In January 1972, the properties on Winthrop Street, along with those on Durward Street, were demolished. The road remained derelict until the construction of Kempton Court in 1995. As a result, Winthrop Street was significantly shortened to provide access to the car park for Kempton Court residents.
