About 18 months ago we ran a post about 549 Lordship Lane in Dulwich – a crumbly ruin that I discovered, with surprise, is architecturally significant. Built in 1873 by Charles Drake, it’s Grade II listed and the only surviving example of a 19th Century concrete house. Read more about it here.

I’ve just been past it on my bike and can reveal that it now looks like this…

A transformation don’t you think? Proper ‘leafy Dulwich’ with a new wrought iron railing out front, landscaping and everything. I used to cross the road for fear of rats running at me – Lord knows what the builders found when they started clearing the site – but I was proper close today with my camera.

When it’s finished, the building will contain five social housing flats and I’ll be admiring it en route to our favourite cafe in the hills.