The foundation stone for the London Master Bakers Benevolent Institution was laid on 3rd August 1857.

The Institution was being built of the London Master Bakers' Pension and Almshouse Society (later renamed the Bakers Benevolent Society), which had been founded on 13th December 1832 to provide homes for "any respectable member of the baking trade fallen into poverty, eligible according to the rules, or to the widow of such".

The first 18 almshouses were completed in 1861 and the remainder by 1866. The large 3-storey Italianate-style buildings surrounded three sides of a spacious landscaped courtyard. The Institution was considered to be one of the grand almshouses of northeast London, providing homes for 52 elderly improverished bakers and millers.

In December 1894 there were 49 residents.

During WW1 (1914-1918) the almshouses were damaged by bombs dropped from Zeppelins. The first occasion was on 17th August 1915, when bombs fell in the grounds, shaking the buildings and breaking windows. A female resident was seriously injured. On 24th September 1916 some 22 almshouses were damaged by a bomb dropped from the German Navy Zeppelin L31 (shot down a week later over Potters Bar).

In 1924 electric light was installed in the almshouses.

In 1939 gas was installed.

In the late 1960s the GLC compulsorily purchased the property for a road widening scheme.

In 1971 the final remaining resident moved to new accommodation in Bakers Villas, Epping.

Current status