{{short description|English architect (1873–1958)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use British English|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox architect | name = John Dixon Butler | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=UK|size=100||RA|FRIBA}} | image = John Dixon Butler (cropped).jpg | image_size = <!-- if image is smaller than 250px --> | caption = Dixon Butler, pictured in a 1920 edition of ''The Builder'' | birth_date = December 1860 | birth_place = | death_date = 27 October 1920 | death_place = | alma_mater = University College London<br>Architectural Association | practice = Surveyor to the Metropolitan Police (1895–1920) | parents = | significant_buildings = }} '''John Dixon Butler''' {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|sep=,|size=100%|RA|FRIBA}} (December 1860<ref name=BMDBIRTH>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl|title=England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915|access-date=2 February 2021|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}</ref> – 27 October 1920) was a British architect who for 25 years was the surveyor for the Metropolitan Police in London. He was the fifth architect to hold the post from its inception in 1842. He took over the role from his father in 1895.
Butler completed the designs and alterations to around 200 London police buildings, including ten courts; as of 2022, about 60 of his buildings survive. Historic England describe him as having been "one of the most accomplished Metropolitan Police architects" and have included around 25 of his buildings on the National Historic List of England and Wales.
Butler was born in London and studied architecture under Richard Norman Shaw. With Shaw he would work on the designs for Canon Row Police Station (1898), and the Scotland Yard (south building) (1906) on London's Embankment. Butler's designs were usually in a domestic style, sensitive to the context of the newly-developed suburban areas in which the stations were often located. Each of his designs included strong municipal qualities such as iron railings, inscribed lintels identifying the building as a police station, and other stone dressings.
Elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1906, Butler worked up until his death in 1920. He was succeeded in the role of surveyor to the Metropolitan Police by Gilbert Mackenzie Trench.
==Early life== Dixon Butler was born in December 1860<ref name=BMDBIRTH/> at 11 Redcliffe Gardens, Chelsea, London.<ref>Census of 1861: Class: RG 9; Piece: 22; Folio: 10; Page: 12; GSU roll: 542558</ref> He was the only son and the second of two children to John Butler, an architect and the surveyor (later for the Metropolitan Police),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18751122-1/about/t18751122-2|title=HENRY WAINWRIGHT. THOMAS GEORGE WAINWRIGHT. Killing; murder. 22nd November 1875.}}</ref>{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|loc=xv}} and his wife, Hannah {{nee}} Deavin.<ref name="auto">{{NHLE|num=1411163|desc=Pinner Police Station including stable block, boundary wall, gate pier and fences, bollards and police lamps|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Dixon Butler studied at University College London and then the Architectural Association before being articled to his father from whom he learnt about the design and planning of police buildings.<ref name="auto2">{{NHLE|num=1130397|desc=Former Police Station and Courthouse, including stable and harness room, railings and lamps|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>
Butler designed the police station on Bethnal Green Road, Tower Hamlets, in 1892 and his son refaced it in 1917, making it a rare example of both their work.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=578}}{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|p=248}}<ref name="auto2"/> Both father and son worked under Richard Norman Shaw on the designs for Scotland Yard; Butler on the North building, Dixon Butler on the South.{{sfn|Saint|2010|pp=291–295}} The position was later reversed at Canon Row on London's Embankment, on which Dixon Butler was the lead architect and Norman Shaw acted as consultant.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095538613|title=John Dixon Butler (1861—1920)|publisher=Oxford Reference|access-date=4 January 2020}}</ref>
==Surveyor to the Metropolitan Police== The Metropolitan Police Force Surveyorship was established in 1842;{{efn|The post of Surveyor to the Metropolitan Police has been held by ten people since its establishment in 1842: Charles Reeves (1842–1866); Thomas Charles Sorby (1867–8); Frederick Caiger (1868–81); John Butler (1881–95); John Dixon Butler (1895–1920); Gilbert Mackenzie Trench (1921–47); John Innes Elliott (1947–74); M. Belchamber (1974–88); T. Lawrence (1988–2002); A. Croney (2002–?).{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002b|p=21}}}}{{efn|Mackenzie Trench was the designer of the Metropolitan Police box which was subsequently the inspiration for the TARDIS.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1109166|desc=Metropolitan Police Box at National Tramway Museum}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-oldie/20190928/281569472411789|title=What Was The London Police Box|first=Andrew|last=Roberts|publisher=The Oldie|date=1 October 2019}}</ref>}}{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002b|p=21}} the force's first purpose-built station was built at Bow Street, erected two years after Sir Robert Peel's Metropolitan Police Act 1829.
There was a boom in police stations during the 1880s following the political unrest of that decade and high-profile events such as the Whitechapel Murders.<ref name="auto1">{{NHLE|num=1393152|desc=Police Station|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Cherry, O'Brien and Pevsner, in their ''London: East'' volume of the ''Buildings of England'' series, record Dixon Butler's "unique" riverside police stations for the Thames River Police, founded in 1798 to combat piracy,{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=73}} including his station at Wapping which now houses the Thames River Police Museum.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=507}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk/museum.html|title=Thames Police – The Museum|publisher=Thames Police|website=www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref>
Under Dixon Butler, after 1895, police station interiors in London became more domesticated and an effort was made to make them more approachable to the public, including their relocation into more public areas. After a violent demonstration outside the station in Bow Street, the Metropolitan Police decided to have separate entrances at their stations for constables, away from the public, and to have officers live at the stations under the supervision of senior colleagues. Extra provisions were also made for the care of prisoners, including the introduction of ablution areas and exercise yards.<ref name="auto1"/> Externally, Dixon Butler was careful to design them in a similar style to the surrounding, newly developed suburban areas in which they served.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=73}}
Dixon Butler's designs included features which give his buildings strong municipal accents, such as iron railings and lintels inscribed "Police" or "Police Station", set in stone dressings, and his frequent use of elaborate consoles to doors and windows.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002c|p=52}} These elements give his designs their architectural quality<ref name="auto1"/> creating a "characteristic type which can be recognised all over London".{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002c|p=52}} Historic England describes him as "one of the most accomplished Metropolitan Police architects".<ref name="auto2"/>
==Buildings== [[File:Former Magistrates Court, Tooley Street (geograph 4955475).jpg|thumb|right|Tower Bridge Magistrates' Court and Police Station, now the Dixon Hotel. Named in honour of Dixon Butler, Cherry and Pevsner call it "quite spectacular of its date".{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002a|p=602}}]]
Dixon Butler completed about 200 buildings during his career, nearly all police stations,<ref name=TELE>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/hotel-hit-squad-inside-the-dixon-hotel-london-tower-bridge/|title=Hotel Hit Squad: A hotel in a former magistrate's court? The Dixon is judged to be a guilty pleasure, but the witticisms are criminal|first=Mark C.|last=O’Flaherty|date=27 March 2019|work= The Telegraph|access-date=27 November 2020}}</ref> and around 10 courthouses;<ref>''Graya: A Magazine for Members of Gray's Inn'', Issue 111, published 2000, p. 88.</ref> around 58 buildings survive.<ref name=TELE/> He designed Northwood Police Station in the Old English style, sensitive to the fact that at that time, Northwood was semi-rural, whilst acknowledging the proximity to London, through its station on the London Underground Metropolitan line.<ref name="auto1"/> He designed similar police stations at Pinner and Kew, with the one at Pinner, designed in 1897, being the most domesticated of all his stations; it was equipped with living quarters for a married sergeant and his family, including two bedrooms, a living room, a scullery and a larder, a lobby, waiting room, inspector's office, charge room, parade room, three cells, a stable for two horses and an attached ambulance shed.<ref name="auto"/>
A number of Dixon Butler's existing buildings have been converted to other uses, including three, Tower Bridge Magistrates Court and Police Station now known as the Dixon Hotel,<ref name=TELE/> Marlborough Street Magistrates Court (now The Courthouse Hotel)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theglassmagazine.com/the-courthouse-hotel-law-and-luxury-comes-to-soho/|title=The Courthouse Hotel: Law and Luxury comes to Soho|first=Hannah|last=Valentine|date=27 November 2018|publisher=Glass Magazine}}</ref> and Shoreditch Magistrates Court and Police Station (now The Courthouse, Shoreditch),<ref>[https://www.courthouse-hotel.com/ "A Contemporary Design Hotel with History"], Courthouse Hotel, accessed 13 June 2021.</ref> which have been converted to hotels. Historic England have included 32 of these buildings on the National Historic List of England and Wales.<ref name="auto2"/> All are listed Grade II, with the exception of Canon Row Police Station which is given the higher grading of II*.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/results/?searchType=NHLE+Simple&search=Dixon+Butler|title=Dixon Butler Search|publisher=Historic England|access-date=24 January 2021}}</ref>
===Known existing buildings=== [[File:Canon Row Police Station.jpg|thumb|Former Canon Row Police Station, Victoria Embankment]] thumb|Former Marlborough Street Magistrates Court, now the Courthouse Hotel *1895–6 - Willesden Police Station, 96 High Road, Willesden, NW10 2PP. Closed as a police station and sold in 2013.<ref>[https://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/23895678.new-plans-convert-willesden-green-police-station-flats/ "New plans to convert Willesden Green Police station to flats"], ''Brent & Kilburn Times'', 1 November 2023.</ref> The building still exists and is used as an art studio, as of 2025.<ref>[https://www.brent.gov.uk/neighbourhoods-and-communities/community-directory/create-space-london "Create Space London"], Brent London Borough Council, 3 June 2024, accessed 1 June 2025.</ref> *1896 - Kenley Police Station, Godstone Road, London Borough of Croydon.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} Sold in 2015. Now privately owned.<ref>[https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/news/croydon-news/how-much-met-police-made-1965772.amp "How much Met Police made"], ''Croydon Advertiser'', 3 September 2018, accessed 1 September 2025.</ref> *1896 - Greenford Police Station, 21 Oldfield Lane South, Greenford. Closed as a police station in 2013. Sold in 2021.<ref>[https://www.london.gov.uk/small-sites/former-greenford-police-station "Former Greenford Police Station"], Mayor of London: London Assembly, accessed 8 July 2024.</ref> As of 2025, the building remains. *1896 – Kentish Town Police Station, 10-12A Holmes Rd, Camden, NW5 3AE.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1379124|desc=Police Station and Attached Railings and Lamp|grade=II|access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> The building was originally designed by Charles Reeves, the first surveyor of the Metropolitan Police, during his tenure (1842–1866), and underwent a restoration by Richard Norman Shaw in 1894-6. It is probable that Dixon Butler had some involvement in the Shaw restorations as it includes features that were characteristic in some of Dixon Butler's later buildings, including elongated door consoles and a date stamp on the door case at the main entrance, in this case "1896". As of 2025, the building is in operational use by the MPS.<ref>[https://www.london.gov.uk/who-we-are/what-london-assembly-does/questions-mayor/find-an-answer/kentish-town-police-station "Kentish Town Police Station"], London Assembly, 25 March 2015, accessed 1 June 2025.</ref> *1896 – Former Holborn Police Station, Theobalds Road, Holborn, London Borough of Camden, WC1. Located on the junction with Grays Inn Road. Closed in the mid 1960s to make way for a new building at 10 Lambs Conduit Street, Holborn, by John Innes Elliott. The original building is now used as office space. *1896-1906 – Former New Scotland Yard, Norman Shaw South Building (assisting Richard Norman Shaw). Designed 1896-98, built 1904-06.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1357349|desc=Former New Scotland Yard, Norman Shaw South Building|grade=II*|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Originally known as Scotland House, it was built to provide office space for the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District. Now part of the parliamentary estate.<ref>[https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/northern-estate/normanshaw-parliament-st111/ "UK Parliament: Norman Shaw South"], UK Parliament, accessed 15 June 2025.</ref> *1897 – Pinner Police Station, 1 Waxwell Lane, Pinner, London Borough of Harrow.<ref name="auto"/> Attempts were made to sell the building in 2013, but it was later retained. As of 2025 the station remains part of the MPS estate and is operational.<ref>[https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2023/july_2023/real-estate-owned-operated-mps.xlsx "MPS Estate List], Metropolitan Police Service, accessed 15 June 2025.</ref> *1898 – Camberwell Police Station, 22a Camberwell Church Street, Camberwell, London Borough of Southwark.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1378397|desc=Camberwell Police Station and attached lamp bracket|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Closed in 2019 and sold the following year. As of 2025, the building remains and is leased to a nursery business.<ref>[https://hurstwarne.co.uk/hurst-warne-secures-letting-of-historic-camberwell-property-to-n-family-club/ "Hurst Warne Secures Letting of Historic Camberwell Property to N Family Club"], Hurst Warne, 30 January 2025, accessed 15 June 2025.</ref> *1898–1902 – Canon Row Police Station, Canon Row, Whitehall.<ref>{{NHLE|num= 1357244|desc=Canon Row Police Station|grade=II*|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> Designed by Dixon Butler with Norman Shaw as consultant. In 1985 it was renamed 1 Canon Row and ceased to be a police station. Those who were based there moved to the neighbouring Curtis Green Building. The former Canon Row Police Station is now part of the Parliamentary Estate. <ref>[https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/building/northern-estate/normanshaw-parliament-st/ "Canon Row: Buildings in Canon Row"], UK Parliament, accessed 29 July 2025.</ref> *1899 – Lewisham Police Station, Ladywell Road, Lewisham.<ref>{{NHLE|num= 1079979|desc=Police Station|grade=II|access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref>. Closed in 2003. Now in use as private dwellings. {{sfn|Sanderson|2021|pp=51}} *1900 – Woodford Green Police Station, Manor Road, Woodford Green, London Borough of Redbridge. No longer a police station. As of 2025, the building exists as a veterinary clinic called "Claygate House".{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=373}} *1900 – Muswell Hill Police Station, 115 Fortis Green Road, Fortis Green, London Borough of Haringey. Closed in 2013 and converted to flats.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002c|p=554}}<ref>[https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/documents/s58724/Muswell%20Hill%20Police%20Station%20Committee%20Report%2017%203.pdf "Muswell Hill Police Station Committee Report"], Haringey Council, 25 March 2015, accessed 7 June 2025.</ref> *1900 - Wimbledon Police Station, 15-23 Queens Road, Wimbledon.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002a|p=453}} As of 2025, the building is in operational use by the police. *1900–02 – The Old Police House, Hyde Park.{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|p=660}} Up until 2025 the building was used by the Royal Park's Police which was operated by the Metropolitan Police. The unit was scrapped in November 2025. Built by Butler for the Metropolitan Police, but on land owned by the Crown Estate, who now own the building. Use unknown.<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/fears-of-crime-surge-as-met-disbands-dedicated-royal-parks-police-unit-b1225860.html "Fears of crime surge as Met disbands dedicated Royal Parks police unit"], ''The Standard'', 4 May 2025, accessed 7 March 2026.</ref> *1901 – Victoria Police Station, 63 Rochester Row, City of Westminster.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1271080|desc=Police Station|grade=II|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> Now occupied by private apartments.<ref>[https://www.johnsimpsonarchitects.com/pa/Vincent-Square-rc.html "Vincent Square"], John Simpson Architects, accessed on 28 December 2022.</ref> *1901 – Molesey Police Station, Walton Road, East Molesey (junction with Bridge Road and Esther Way). Closed by Surrey Police in 2010 and now in residential use.{{sfn|O'Brien|Nairn|Cherry|2022|p=530}} *1902 – Sidcup Police Station, 87 Main Road, Sidcup. Closed in 2014.<ref>[https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9581277.protesters-disappointed-sidcup-police-station-set-to-close/ Protesters 'disappointed' Sidcup police station set to close], ''News Hopper'', 9 March 2012, accessed 28 December 2022</ref> As of 2026 it is a restaurant. *1902-10 – Gladstone House (now Gladstone Court) and Peel House (former police accommodation), 97-105 Regency Street, Pimlico, City of Westminster.{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|p=716}} *1903-08 – Old Street Magistrates Court and adjoining Police Station, 335 and 337 Old Street, London Borough of Hackney.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1376533|desc=Court House and Police Station, Old Street|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1903 - Lee Road Police Station,<ref>{{NHLE|num=1079980|desc=Police Station|grade=II|access-date=27 February 2023}}</ref> 418 Lee High Road, London Borough of Lewisham. Closed in 2003, now residential accommodation.{{sfn|Sanderson|2021|p=50}} *1903 – Bow Police Station, 111 Bow Road, Tower Hamlets.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1393152|desc=Police Station and stables|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> As of 2025, the building is still owned by the MPS and in operational use. *1903–04 – Victoria Magistrates Court, 69 Rochester Row, City of Westminster.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1246992|desc=Former Magistrate's Court, 69 Rochester Row|grade=II|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> *1904 – East Ham Police Station, 4 High Street South, East Ham, London Borough of Newham.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1253087|desc=Newham Police Station|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Closed in 2014. Sold for development in 2018.<ref>[https://www.newhamrecorder.co.uk/news/local-council/21429330.axed-east-ham-police-station-sold-3-4m/ "Axed East Ham police station sold for £3.4m"], ''Newham Recorder'', 3 September 2018, accessed 28 December 2022.</ref> *1904 – Gates and Piers to entrance to Derby Gate<ref>{{NHLE|num=1066344|desc=Gates and Piers to entrance to Derby Gate|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1904 – Hackney Police Station, 2-4, Lower Clapton Road, London Borough of Hackney. Closed and sold in 2013. Now a school.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1264866|desc=The Police Station, Lower Clapton|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-03-17|title=Hackney Central Police Station sold to free school trust for £7.6 million|url=https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2014/03/17/hackney-central-police-station-olive-school/|access-date=2021-04-30|website=Hackney Citizen|language=en-GB}}</ref> *1904 – North Woolwich Police Station, Albert Road, London Borough of Newham.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=312}}. Still in police ownership although non-operational. *1905 - Hampton Police Station, 689 Station Road, Hampton, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Closed in 2017 and converted to flats.<ref>[https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/15530205.listed-hampton-police-station-built-in-1905-in-station-road-to-be-converted-into-homes/ "Listed Hampton police station built in 1905 in Station Road to be converted into homes"], ''Richmond and Twickenham Times'', 12 September 2017, accessed 14 February 2025.</ref> *1906 – Ilford Hill Police Station, Ilford, London Borough of Redbridge.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=342}} Sold in 2012.<ref>[http://policeauthority.org/Metropolitan/committees/finres/2011/1215/08/index.html "Request for approval to dispose of Old Ilford Former Police Station, 40 Ilford Hill, Ilford IG1 2AY"], Metropolitan Police Authority archive, accessed 10 June 2025.</ref> As of 2025, the building exists but use unknown. *1906 – Clerkenwell Magistrates Court, 76 King's Cross Road, Clerkenwell. Now a hostel.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1195651|desc=Former Clerkenwell Magistrates Court and attached railings|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1906 – Shoreditch Magistrates Court and Police Station.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002c|p=520}} *1906 – Tower Bridge Magistrates Court and adjoining Police Station.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1385973|desc=Tower Bridge Magistrates Court, Police Station and railings|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1907 – Wapping Police Station, 98-102 Wapping High Street, Wapping.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1242394|desc=Wapping Police Station|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1908 – Wood Green Police Station, 347 High Road, Wood Green.{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|p=576}} As of 2025, the building is still in operational use. *1908 – Sutton Police Station, 6 Carshalton Road, Sutton, SM1 4RF.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1244322|desc=Sutton Police Station, gate piers and police lamps|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> As of 2025, the building is in operational use by the police. *1908 - Erith Police Station, 22 Erith High Street, Erith, London Borough of Bexley. Closed in 1979 and redeveloped into living accommodation. *1908 - Leytonstone Police Station, 470 High Road, Leytonstone, London Borough of Waltham Forest.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=740}} Building exits as a school. *1908–09 – Wealdstone Police Station, 55 High Street, Harrow.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1245418|desc=Wealdstone Police Station|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1909 – Wembley Park Police Station, 551 High Road, London Borough of Brent. Closed. As of 2025, the building was in use as restaurant. *1909 – Greenwich Magistrates Court, 7-9 Blackheath Road, London Borough of Greenwich.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1272459|desc=Greenwich Magistrates Court|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1909–10 – Police Section House, 40 Beak Street, Soho,.{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|p=397}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/survey-london/vols31-2/pt2/pp173-175|title=Golden Square Area: Beak Street|publisher=Survey of London|access-date=23 January 2021}}</ref> Acquired by the artist Damien Hirst in 2018 and turned into office space. Original building no longer exists.<ref>[https://www.buildington.co.uk/buildings/6873/england/london-w1f/40-beak-street/40-beak-street "40 Beak Street"], Buildington, accessed 10 June 2025.</ref> *1910 – Highbury Vale Police Station, 209 Blackstock Rd, Islington.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002a|p=52}} Sold in 2012. Now flats.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-31|title=Sale of Highbury police station confirmed|url=https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/21243354.sale-highbury-police-station-confirmed/|access-date=2024-12-11|website=Islington Gazette|language=en-GB}}</ref> *1910 – Woolwich Police Station, Market Street, Woolwich.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1391898|desc=Police Station|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> *1910 – Barking Police Station, Ripple Road, Barking.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=127}} As of 2025, the building exists as shops and living accommodation.<ref>[https://www.barkinganddagenhampost.co.uk/news/24265145.ex-barking-police-station-ripple-road-becomes-nail-bar/ "Ex Barking police station in Ripple Road becomes nail bar"], ''Barking & Dagenham Post'', 22 April 2024, accessed 11 June 2025.</ref> *1910 - Harlesden Police Station, 76 Craven Park, Harlesden.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002b|p=130}} *1910 - Northwood Police Station, 2 Murray Road, Northwood, Hillingdon.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1392966|desc=NORTHWOOD POLICE STATION INCLUDING POLICE LAMP, CALL BOX, BOUNDARY FENCE AND GATES|grade=II|access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref>{{sfn|Sanderson|2021|pp=82-3}} Closed and sold by the MPS in 2021. As of 2025 the building is vacant and is subject to planning discussions to be utilised as a children's nursery.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=Northwood’s Former Police Station: new planning applications – Northwood Residents’ Association |url=https://www.northwoodresidents.co.uk/2024/04/25/northwoods-former-police-station-new-planning-applications/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> *1911 – Harrow Road Police Station, Maida Vale.<ref name=":0">{{NHLE|num=1263477|desc=Harrow Road Police Station including stable block, boundary wall, gate pier and fences, bollards and police lamps|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Sold in 2013 and redeveloped into flats (2016).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spittles |first=David |date=2016-09-05 |title=Former Harrow Road police station turned into 25 new flats |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/property-news/maida-vales-arresting-new-homes-former-harrow-road-police-station-transformed-into-25-new-flats-a104141.html |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=The Standard |language=en}}</ref> As part of the redevelopment, two new residential blocks were built on the southern part of the site. To commemorate the architect, one of the blocks was named Butler House, and the eastern entrance was named Dixon Butler Mews.<ref name=":0" /> *1911-12 – Former Battersea Police Station, 112-118 Battersea Bridge Road, Battersea, London Borough of Wandsworth. Closed in 2014 and sold. Redeveloped into flats.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-21 |title=PICTURES: Inside derelict Battersea Police Station before it becomes flats |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11226723.pictures-inside-derelict-battersea-police-station-before-it-becomes-flats/ |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=Your Local Guardian |language=en}}</ref> *1912 - Deptford Police Station,<ref>{{NHLE|num=1080026|desc=Police station|grade=II|access-date=20 February 2023}}</ref> 114-116 Amersham Vale, Deptford, SE14 6LG. Closed in 2017. Domestic housing proposed.<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/hpg/planning-cases/former-deptford-police-station/ "Former Deptford Police Station, 114-116 Amersham Vale, London"], Historic England, accessed 20 February 2023.</ref>{{sfn|Sanderson|2021|pp=47-8}} *1912 – Streatham Police Station, Streatham High Road, Streatham Hill, Merton.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002a|p=391}} Closed in 2014 and sold for redevelopment. Empty, as of 2022.<ref>[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/cannabis-farm-worth-millions-discovered-in-streatham-police-station-b1049191.html "Huge Cannabis farm ‘worth a million pounds’ discovered in south London police station"], ''London Evening Standard'', 23 December 2022, accessed 12 November 2022.</ref> *1912 – Plaistow Police Station, Barking Road, Plaistow. Still in operational use by the police, as of 2025.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=253}} *1912 – Hampstead Police Station, court house.<ref name="auto2"/> *1912 – Woolwich Magistrates Court, Calderwood Street, Woolwich.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1391897|desc=Woolwich Magistrates Court|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> now flats.<ref>[https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/29/luxurious-three-bedroom-flat-slammed-for-looking-like-a-prison-cell-16729354/ "London flat available to rent for £1,800 a month slammed for having one narrow bedroom that ‘looks like a prison cell’"], ''Metro'', 29 May 2022, accessed 29 May 2022.</ref> *1912–13 – Marlborough Street Magistrates Court, 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, Westminster (court and police station).<ref>{{NHLE|num=1066742|desc=19-21, Great Marlborough Street, W1|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> The building closed as a court in 1998{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|pp=410–411}} and is now a luxury hotel called "The Courthouse Hotel, London". *1913 – Tottenham Police Station, Tottenham High Road,Tottenham.{{sfn|Bradley|Pevsner|2003|p=576}} As of 2025, still operational. *1914 - Kew Police Station, 96 North Road, Kew, London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. Closed in 1933 as part of a reorganisation of the police estate by Hugh Trenchard, the then Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.{{sfn|Sanderson|2021|p=49}} *1914 – West London Magistrates Court, Southcombe Street, Hammersmith<ref>{{NHLE|num=1379935|desc=West London Magistrates Court|grade=II|access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> Closed as a court and converted to offices in 2006. Closed completely and sold in 2017.<ref>[https://docs.planning.org.uk/20210419/125/QQJFX5BIG0V00/9za43wtb7rro1d3d.pdf "Design & Access Statement. Including Heritage Statement. Listed Building Consent Application"], Planning Alerts, accessed 21 February 2025.</ref> Redeveloped into private flats.<ref>[https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/agents-society-assets-files/91df19ff1e5cf8a481ede69c08ea5afa-vernon-st-southcombe-st-w14-sales-v6.pdf "31 Vernon Street & 10 Southcombe Street"], accessed 21 February 2026.</ref> *1915 - Winchmore Hill Police Station, 687 Greens Lane, Winchmore Hill, Enfield.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1189172|desc=Police Station|grade=II|access-date=27 February 2023}}</ref> The station closed in 2013 and was sold in 2015 for £950,000.<ref>{{cite web |title=Police Closures 2010-2020 |url=https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2023/december_2023/police-station-closures-january2010-november2023-data-q2.xlsx |website=Metropolitan Police |access-date=30 November 2024}}</ref> As of 2025 the building exists. *1915 - Bromley Police Station, Widmore Road, London Borough of Bromley. Located on the junction of Kentish Way. Closed in 2003 and converted into flats. *1915-16 - Edmonton Police Station, 314 Fore Street, Upper Edmonton, Enfield.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1356643|desc=OLD POLICE STATION|grade=II|access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002c|p=431}} Closed in the 1980s when new premises were built at 462 Fore Street.{{sfn|Cherry|Pevsner|2002c|p=425}} As of 2025 the old building exists. *1916 – Golders Green Police Station, 1069 Finchley Road, Golders Green, London Borough of Barnet.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=451}} Closed in 2013 and sold the following year. The building exists and has been redeveloped into flats.<ref>[https://www.hamhigh.co.uk/news/crime/21375551.revealed-sale-golders-green-police-station-made-5-3million/ "Revealed: Sale of Golders Green police station made £5.3million"],''Ham & High'', 11 July 2014, accessed 16 June 2025.</ref> *1917 – Bethnal Green Police Station, 458 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green. In 1917 Dixon Butler re-designed the facade and made enlargements to an existing building that had been designed by his father, John Butler, in 1892. {{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=578}} The station closed after 1991 and it now exists as office space for the Providence Row Housing Association. The replacement police station was built in 1997 and is located in nearby Victoria Park Square.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=569}} *1920–25 – Former Police Station and Magistrates Court, Aylward Street and East Arbour Street, Mile End - now flats. Designed by Dixon Butler, who died early on into the project; finished by his successor, Gilbert Mackenzie Trench.{{sfn|Cherry|O'Brien|Pevsner|2005|p=451}}
==Personal life and death== In his spare time Dixon Butler participated in amateur dramatics. In an April 1890 edition of the ''Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette'' he is listed as a member of the Selwood Operatic Company and performed in a small concert in aid of St James's Church, Croydon.<ref>"Concert", ''Croydon Guardian and Surrey County Gazette'', 19 April 1890, p. 5.</ref> Five years later, according to ''The Stage'', he, along with a group of other architects including George Baron Carvill, took part in a production of ''King Arthur'' {{efn|''King Arthur (also King Arthur: A Drama in a Prologue and Four Acts)'' was a play by Joseph Comyns Carr, produced by Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre, London, in 1895.<ref>[https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1371854/king-arthur-print-unknown/ "King Arthur"], Victoria and Albert Museum, assessed 1 April 2021.</ref>}} at the London Scottish Reserves HQ in Buckingham Gate. The play was advertised as being "a burlesque written for architects by architects" and featured an architectural-themed twist to its plot; the part of the King (played by Dixon Butler) was a district surveyor who had, under his care, three articled pupils, Sirs Lancelot (Albert L. Harris) Mordred (Herbert Phillips Fletcher, brother to Banister Fletcher) and Percival (C.V Cable).<ref>"Architectural Association", ''The Stage'', 23 May 1895, p. 12.</ref>
Like his father, Dixon Butler was an active Freemason and became a member of the Baldwin Lodge in Dalton-in-Furness on 11 June 1890;<ref>Library and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England; Freemasonry Membership Registers; Description: Membership Registers: Country Q 1391–1482 to Country R 1486–1575; Reel Number: 16.</ref> five years later, he was initiated at the Mount Moriah Lodge, Tower Hill.<ref>Library and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England; ''Freemasonry Membership Registers''; Description: Membership Registers: ''London A Lodges Grand Stewards Lodge to 87''; Reel Number: 1.</ref> He married Hannah Frazer (1854–1924)<ref>Surrey History Centre; Woking, Surrey, England; Surrey Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: WOKJ/4/6</ref> in March 1901;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=PWuAPq2lv7E4s2xWarEi2A&scan=1|title=Index entry|access-date=2 February 2021|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}</ref> they had no children.{{Citation needed|date=September 2023}} He was elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1906.<ref name="auto2"/>
Up until his death Dixon Butler lived in Molesey, Surrey. He died at King's College Hospital on 27 October 1920 and was interred in the churchyard of St John's, Woking.<ref>"Deaths", ''Ealing Gazette and West Middlesex Observer'', 6 November 1920, p. 4.</ref> He was succeeded in the role of surveyor to the Metropolitan Police by Gilbert Mackenzie Trench, the same year. Dixon Butler's Tower Bridge Police Station and Court, now a hotel, is named The Dixon in commemoration of him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/the-dixon-london-s-new-converted-courtroom-hotel-lm6gm85pc|title=The Dixon: London's converted courtroom hotel|first=Kate|last=Leahy|work=The Times|date=27 January 2019}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==Sources== * {{cite book |last1 = Bradley|first1 = Simon |last2 = Pevsner|first2 = Nikolaus |author-link2 = Nikolaus Pevsner |year = 2003 |title = London 6: Westminster |series = The Buildings of England |publisher = Yale University Press |location = New Haven, US and London |isbn = 978-0-300-09595-1 |oclc = 844722686 }} * {{cite book |last1 = Cherry|first1 = Bridget |last2=O'Brien|first2=Charles |last3 = Pevsner|first3 = Nikolaus |author-link1 = Bridget Cherry |author-link3 = Nikolaus Pevsner |year = 2005 |title = London 5: East |series = The Buildings of England |location=New Haven, US and London |publisher = Yale University Press |isbn = 978-0-300-10701-2 |oclc = 1159868585 }} * {{cite book |last1 = Cherry|first1 = Bridget |last2 = Pevsner|first2 = Nikolaus |author-link1 = Bridget Cherry |author-link2 = Nikolaus Pevsner |year = 2002a |title = London 2: South |series = The Buildings of England |location=Newhaven, US and London |publisher = Yale University Press |isbn = 978-0-300-09651-4 |oclc = 844260066 }} * {{cite book |last1 = Cherry|first1 = Bridget |last2 = Pevsner|first2 = Nikolaus |author-link1 = Bridget Cherry |author-link2 = Nikolaus Pevsner |year = 2002b |title = London 3: North West |series = The Buildings of England |location=Newhaven, US and London |publisher = Yale University Press |isbn = 978-0-300-09652-1 |oclc = 844442257 }} * {{cite book |last1 = Cherry|first1 = Bridget |last2 = Pevsner|first2 = Nikolaus |author-link1 = Bridget Cherry |author-link2 = Nikolaus Pevsner |year = 2002c |title = London 4: North |series = The Buildings of England |location=Newhaven, US and London |publisher = Yale University Press |isbn = 978-0-300-09653-8 |oclc = 719418475 }} *{{cite book|last1=O'Brien|first1=Charles|last2=Nairn|first2=Ian|authorlink2=Ian Nairn|last3=Cherry|first3=Bridget|title=Surrey|series=The Buildings of England|year=2022|publisher=Yale University Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-300-23478-7}} * {{cite book | last = Saint | first = Andrew |author-link = Andrew Saint | year = 2010 | title = Richard Norman Shaw | location=New Haven, US and London | publisher = Yale University Press | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=eGFIAQAAIAAJ&q=Richard+Norman+Shaw |isbn= 9-780300-15526-6 }} *{{cite book | last = Sanderson | first = Eileen |author-link = | year = 2021 | title = London Police Stations | location= Stroud, Gloucestershire | publisher = Amberley Publishing | url = https://www.ribabooks.com/London-Police-Stations_9781398100169 |isbn= 9-781398-10016-9 }}
==External links== * [http://www.brynelliott.co.uk/index_htm_files/CHADWELL%20HEATH.pdf Article on the Chadwell Heath Police Station published by Epping Forest District Museum] * [https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/disclosure_2019/january_2019/information-rights-unit---architectural-drawings-of-former-wealdstone-police-station Drawings and plans by Dixton Butler for the Wealdstone Police Station and Petty Sessional Court]{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dixon Butler, John}} Category:1860 births Category:1920 deaths Category:Metropolitan Police Surveyors Category:Fellows of the Royal Institute of British Architects Category:19th-century English architects Category:20th-century English architects Category:Alumni of the Architectural Association School of Architecture Category:Alumni of University College London Category:People from Chelsea, London