Welcome to Our Historic Community
Step into the Progress Estate, a truly unique and historic garden suburb nestled in Eltham, London. Built with remarkable speed in just ten months during 1915 by the Government's Office of Works, this estate was specifically designed to house the burgeoning workforce of the Royal Arsenal munitions factories during the First World War.
Acclaimed by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner as "the first and most spectacular of the Garden suburbs built by the government during the First World War," the Progress Estate is a "tour de force of picturesque design", solidifying its place in British architectural history.
Estate Overview
Our estate, comprising approximately 1,200 homes across 22 streets, embodies the low-density, picturesque street layout characteristic of the Garden City movement.
Architectural Heritage
Designed by HM Office of Works, the Progress Estate showcases the English romantic cottage style through its distinctive features:
Unique combination of timber framing, tile-hanging, stone, and brick
Natural mottled green and blue Westmoreland slate roofing
Picturesque street layout with integrated green spaces
Characteristic oak front garden fences specific to the estate
Historical Significance
The estate's rapid construction was driven by the urgent need to house the dramatically expanding workforce at Woolwich Arsenal during the First World War.
The Progress Estate stands as a pivotal moment in British housing history, showcasing how wartime necessity spurred innovative urban planning and social housing. It continues to be a highly regarded residential area that honors its remarkable heritage.
Protected Status
Recognising its architectural and historical importance, the Progress Estate has been granted comprehensive protection:
Protected since 1971
Applied in 1973, requiring planning permission for any external changes