The building has been in occupation by the same company for the past century and retains a lot of the original features.
The building has 24 hour access.
The building is next to Bridget Riley Studios, and The Peanut Factory formerly known as Percy Daltons Famous Peanut factory.
The floor has huge windows, lots of natural light and a concrete floor.
There is a loading bay (double doors). There is also a lift.
The Ceiling height is 11.5 sq ft.
The adjoining building is occupied by artists, photographers, painters and other creative types.
Next to Bridget Riley Studios, Space Studios
Nearest Station: Hackney Wick / Bow Road
1 minute from the River Lea, very peaceful location, huge artist community in the area.
Ideal for artists / photographers / creative types
Algha Works is the only historic industrial building still in use in the Fish Island Conservation Area and Britain’s last hand-made spectacle factory...
Founded in 1898
Max Wiseman & Co was founded in 1898. In 1932, Mr. Wiseman acquired a German old-school frame factory and relocated it to London's East End. The Algha factory, relocated from Rathenau along with its craftsmen and machines, stands to this day. The machines that were brought over are still in operation.
Participated in the war effort
During the Second World War, the Algha Works factory dedicated itself to producing eyewear for gas masks and Aviator frames for the British Armed Forces. After the conclusion of World War II, the government awarded Algha with a contract to supply all British citizens with eyewear through the NHS.
What followed was Algha's period of prosperity. With all British citizens as a client base, Algha grew to serve 1.5 million customers a year, with 150 employees in its building. John Lennon and Queen Elizabeth II both wore Algha frames, and John Lennon's iconic Round Eyes were Algha-made.
Modern day
In 1988, Margaret Thatcher ended the NHS' free glasses program. Overnight, Algha lost its customer base, and reinvented itself. Thus, Algha's house brand Savile Row Eyewear was born. Under this guise, Algha made frames for many celebrities, including Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Ben Kingsley as Gandhi, and Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. To this day, they make vintage-style custom-made frames by hand and using the same machines that were brought over from Rathenau all those years ago.
