BRIEF HISTORY DURING THE SNOW ERA (1813-58)

The Adelphi is a grand riverside development of terraced houses designed and built by four Adams brothers (John, Robert, James and Williams -- three were architects and one was a banker) in 1770-73.  The term Adelphoi is Greek for brothers.  The centerpiece of the development was the Royal Terrace of 11 houses, presented as a single architectural unit, with two large single houses on each side.  Adams Street was to the east, Roberts Street to the west and John Street to the north.  During construction, the banks of the River Thames were straightened and made secure with a quay (a wharf or reinforced bank).  The sloping area from building to shore was covered with large vaulted warehouse cellars (265 feet long) facing the Thames with a row of huge gates.  High above the quay was the brick terrace, offering a splendid view of the river.  The cellars remained unused, having been built too low to the water line and prone to flooding in high tide.  Eventually they became shelter for the homeless of the city.  After years of neglect, the Royal Terrace was demolished in 1936-8.     

Adelphi appears at the top of cell M 16, just north of Adelphi Pier. The building is easier to identify in Davies' map of 1843 and the old Ordnance Survey map of 1873. 

Sources: 

Rasmussen SE. London -- The Unique City, 1982.

Richardson J. The Annals of London, 2000.

Weinreb B, Hibbert C (eds). The London Encyclopaedia, 1993.