Lucas Brothers

The business was founded by Charles Thomas Lucas (1820 London – 1895 Warnham Court, near Horsham) and Thomas Lucas (1822–1902). They were the sons of James Lucas (1792–1865), a builder from St Pancras, London. Charles joined his father's business and was soon employed to manage construction of the Norwich & Brandon Railway for Sir Samuel Morton Peto.

In 1842 Charles set up his own contracting business in Norwich and progressed to rebuilding Peto's house, Somerleyton Hall.

Charles and Thomas established a facility in Lowestoft from which they undertook various works, including the railway, the station, the Esplanade, St John’s church, and several hotels.

Charles Thomas Lucas married Charlotte Tiffin and had five sons and two daughters. He lived in London and then at Warnham in Sussex. He was created a Baronet in 1887.

Thomas married Jane Golder and had a daughter. After her death, he married Mary Amelia Chamberlin, daughter of Robert Chamberlin of Norwich, and had six sons and four daughters. He lived in London, Ascot, and briefly at Ashtead in Surrey.

The Royal Albert Hall built by Lucas Brothers

At their works in Lowestoft the brothers pre-fabricated huts for the navvies who built the Crimea railway. Their centre of operations then moved to London], where they built various public buildings.

Contracts include:

Their most famous building contract was the Royal Albert Hall completed in 1871

Covent Garden Opera House (completed in 1858)

Floral Hall (1860)

King's College Hospital (1862)

The Junior Carlton Club (1866)

Charterhouse School (1872)

Alexandra Palace (1873)

Private houses included:

Cliveden (1851)

Henham Hall (1858)

Rendlesham Hall (1870)