Victoria Street was planned by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton the Nottingham borough engineer and formed in 1862. The town improvement committee decided on 24 July 1862 on the name.[1] The Nottinghamshire Guardian of 25 July 1862 noted that:
At first sight, it would seem a subject of regret that Victoria Street has not taken a direct line; but, should the south side be made in a corresponding curve, a crescent effect will be produced, with those splendid vanishing lines and bold shadows which more than justify the departure from the popular predilection in favour of straight streets. We believe we are justified in anticipating that Victoria Street, if carried out in confirmity with its commencement, will be a palatial avenue erected on the ruins of slums.
The street was constructed with a subway 170 yards (160 m) long for services such as mains water and telegraph wires. It was the first road service subway constructed in the UK under a street outside of London.[2] The Victoria Street subway was illuminated in 1875 on the occasion of a visit from the Derbyshire Engineers, and their president, Lord Edward Cavendish.
In the Pevsner Architectural Guide for Nottingham, Elain Harwood describes Victoria Street as retaining sobriety and grandeur through the consistently palazzo-like buildings on the south side.[3]
