The Milner-Gibson Estate in Islington was developed from 1823 on land leased from William Tufnell, a major landowner in the area. Thomas Milner-Gibson (1806-88) was head of the family at this time. (Portraits from Hardwick House.)
Theberton Street was first laid out and these ‘pillar houses’ are at each end of the street.

The east and west sides of Gibson Square are uniform, with a ‘temple’ front at the ends.



The gardens were quiet and peaceful and at one end the rather odd Greek ‘temple’ is a ventilator shaft for the Victoria line, designed by Raymond Erith and built 1968-69.

You may be interested in
The Ventilator Shaft
Walk the Squares of Islington
The history of Barnsbury and King’s Cross
runner500
That’s a rather impressive ventilation shaft! There is a great one in New Cross for some former toilets, although they pre-date Bradshaw by around 30 years.
Candy Blackham
It is, isn’t it! Where in New Cross?
runner500
Junction of New Cross Road and Queens Road, las time I looked although there were some plans to move it when the road layout was changed down there a few years ago. I will probably venture back down there at some stage for my Listed Lewisham ‘theme’. There are details on the link
http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-436199-ventilating-pipe-to-former-public-conven/photos