A Prow of Plenty – UK House, Oxford Street at Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, London, England

In 1902 work began to construct the Waring and Gillow Department Store. The architect was R. Frank Atkinson. This building is described by architectural historian, Pevsner, as "riotous Hampton Court baroque."

Waring and Gillow had a long history. First as separate entities: Warings was from Liverpool and began in the mid 19th century whilst Gillows was from Lancashire and started even earlier in the 1760s. They were at the upper end of the furniture market and by the late 19th century both had showrooms in London. The two companies began a loose association in 1897 and merged to become Waring & Gillow in 1903. The first part of their new Oxford Street store opened in 1906 with the western part on Oxford Street and into Great Titchfield Street opening in 1933.

There is an interesting touch at the corners. Not initials like at Bourne and Hollingsworth but a sculptural ship’s prow. Perhaps this is a reference to the fact that Gillow did a lot of work providing furnishings for ocean going liners.