Spratt's Complex is a housing development in Poplar, London. The former pet food factory was converted into approximately 150 live-work units beginning in 1985. This was one of the first such warehouse conversions in London. The complex is on Morris Road, lining Limehouse Cut canal, and is situated between the DLR stations of Langdon Park and Devons Road. The complex, which once operated as Spratt's dog biscuit factory, consists of six multi-story warehouses made of reinforced concrete grouped around courtyards. Much of the original factory markings and lettering are visible on the buildings, painted on the DLR track-side walls and also on the small chimney visible from Morris Road. The complex is also locally known as "Spratt's Works" or "Spratt's Factory". History The Spratt's Works (1899-1969) The factory was built prior to 1899, possibly as early as 1860 according to the deeds of some residents, though the architecture suggests construction took place some decades later. In the early 20th century, the Spratt's Works was the largest dog food factory in the world. The building now known as Colman's Wharf was originally a seed, packing, grain warehouse. Limehouse Cut was once a series of grain warehouses, along with buildings for meal grinding, sand and grit processing, baking, veterinary medicine and laboratory stores. Foundry House was once a power house, as well as a bakery, bank and delivery warehouse. Patent House was originally a delivery and grain warehouse, with space for biscuit packing, a blacksmiths and wire workers, saw mills, kennel and box makers, and an advertising department. One Fawe Street was historically a grain warehouse, flour warehouse and bakery. James Spratt set up his business in 1860 and soon his business was a "howling success". The location along Limehouse Cut allowed barges to easily deliver fish heads and other supplies to the factory for processing. The company was not restricted to dog biscuits: in the Second Boer War (1899–1902), four million ship's biscuits a week were made for the British Army. Before 1914, the factory made other food for human consumption under the "Poplar" brand, such as pulses (butter beans, lentils, and peas), and did international trade in live animals (horses, foxes, and monkeys). According to the East London News, in World War II, the Morris Road facilities "suffered severe damage as a result of enemy air action" and "the damage to the factory and working machinery made it almost impossible