About Vanguard Court
Over the last forty years Vanguard Court has gained an enviable reputation as one of London’s top creative communities. Our alumni and those who have worked at Vanguard Court include ceramicist and writer Edmund de Waal (many of whose former apprentices still have studios at Vanguard Court), Turner Prize-shortlisted sculptor Cathy de Monchaux, ceramicist Julian Stair, musician and polymath Nick Cave.
History
From 1900 the site was let to E & H Hora, who built carts, and later vehicle bodies including for the first London omnibuses. The freehold owners were Robert & John White, makers of R. Whites lemonade.
In 1929 it was let and eventually sold to The Fibre Case Company (later renamed Vanguard Luggage) which manufactured millions of suitcases there until the 1980s. Vanguard attaché cases were standard issue to British Forces in the Second World War and earnt valuable dollars through export sales throughout the conflict.
The company, now called Vanguard Metropolitan Ltd, then converted the site to studios and workshops.
