View of 442-448 Strand, City of Westminster (north side). A major thoroughfare, the Strand runs east to west from Trafalgar Square to Temple Bar. Named from the Old English 'strond', meaning the edge of a river, as before modern embankments and land reclamation it ran alongside the north bank of the River Thames. A three-storey terrace with shops on the ground floor, part of a triangular island block of shops and offices between the Strand, Adelaide Street and William IV Street (formerly King William Street). Built in 1830-32 as part of the West Strand Improvements, planned by architect John Nash and executed by William Herbert. Ground-floor shops are occupied by 'Harry's Sandwich Bar' at 442, 'Playland' amusement arcade at 443, ‘Strands’ at 44 with a bus stop outside. A sign above advertises 'Passport Photos Ready in 1/2 hour, and in the windows 'Express Passport Photography'. Number 445 is 'Strand Supply Centre, Leisure Clothing and Footwear, Camping and Sports Goods'. Also, a sign for 'Conduit Bureau', an Employment Agency on the first floor. Number 446 is 'Adelphi Jewellers and Pawnbrokers' and a side entrance to the upper floors has signs for 'Franck Coiffeur de Dames' and the 'British Philatelic Association'. Number 448 is one of the circular corner pavilions known as "pepper pots", with three storeys and an attic with a balustrade, and cast-iron balconies around the first floor. In the nineteenth century, number 448 was the office of The West Strand Telegraph Company. The 'Central Station' of the Electric Telegraph Company, which was established in 1846 by Act of Parliament to connect major cities and towns of the country by electric telegraph. The block is Grade II* listed, number 1237040.