3 Albert Square

3 Albert Square is a house that got slowly converted into three flats in 1986 by the owner Tony Carpenter: 3A, 3B and 3C Albert Square.

History[]

In 1985, 3 Albert Square is owned by builder Tony Carpenter. It is unclear how long he had owned the house for, but he had a mortgage for both it and the family home in which his separated wife and children live, implying he had bought No. 3 recently as accommodation for himself as part of the separation and upcoming divorce. The whole property is in a near derelict condition and Tony initially lives in his van (parked outside the house) for a short while until he makes the basement habitable. He slowly renovates each room over the course of 1985-1986 during slack periods from his full-time building work, and eventually splits the house into three flats, selling them off one by one.

3A[]

Kelvin Carpenter originally occupied the basement flat, but after he left in 1987, Ian Beale moved in with his girlfriend Tina Hopkins for a while. By the end of the year, Simon Wicks had moved in with Magda Czajkowski. Both vacated by 1988 and when Kathy Beale split from her husband in 1989, she moved in.

Garry Hobbs and Minty Peterson lived here as flatmates for several years beginning in 2005. A third flatmate, Naomi Julien, lived with them between 2006 and 2007. Others who have stayed here briefly during this time have included: SJ Fletcher, Sonia Fowler, Heather Trott, Shirley Carter, Hazel Hobbs and Queenie Trott. Dawn Swann moved in with her daughter Summer Swann after her fiancée Jase Dyer's death. Dawn's half-brother Darren Miller moved in in 2009.

Garry and Dawn left Walford in August 2009 taking Dawn's daughter Summer with them to make a fresh start after they marry.

Manda Best moved in in August 2009 to give boyfriend Minty some company. They were later joined by Manda's son Adam Best in September 2009, but he only made brief visits. Manda departs from Walford in early 2010. In March 2010, Billy Mitchell and Jay Brown move in after they are kicked out of 27 Albert Square by Phil Mitchell. Billy and Jay left a couple days later after receiving complaints from Minty. In July 2010, Minty throws Darren out after Darren accidentally destroys their World Cup tickets at the laundrette.

Heather Trott, Shirley Carter and George Trott move in after being made homeless. After a fire at The Queen Victoria, Shirley moves out to help Phil, and Sam Mitchell moves in with her baby Richard. Minty and Heather had become a romantic couple, but Minty's long-time crush on Sam causes him to sleep with her when she begins manipulating him, so she will have someone to take care of her baby. Ultimately, Minty realises Sam's agenda and she moves to Portugal with the baby. Heather tells Minty they cannot be a couple as she knows he does not genuinely love her. Minty leaves Walford, and his home, to live with Garry and Dawn. Without Minty's salary, Heather and George are then forced to move.

In 2024, Sharon Watts offers to pay for Bernadette Taylor to stay at the property due to Gray Atkins selling 1 Albert Square. Bernadette accepts on the condition Felix Baker is allowed to move in with her due to him also being kicked out. Bernie and Felix agree to let Priya Nandra-Hart live with them for a short while, after she grows sick of living with the men occupying the neighbouring flat. Bernie and Felix eventually leave for Spain in July 2025, leaving the flat unoccupied.

3B[]

Tony Carpenter lived in the middle flat, 3B, with his wife Hannah and daughter Cassie from 1985 until 1987. His son Kelvin Carpenter also lived here, but after Tony's departure, he moved into the basement flat.

Carmel Jackson purchased the flat in 1987 and she was later joined by her husband Matthew Jackson, her brother Darren Roberts and his children Junior and Aisha.

Vince Johnson moved here in 1989 when Carmel left. In 1999, Dot Cotton lived in 3B with Lilly Mattock. Beppe di Marco lived in flat 3B with his son Joe when he came to Walford in 2000, and his ex-wife Sandra also lived with them for a while. Ricky Butcher then lived in 3B with his ex-wife Sam and son Liam in 2002, but Gus Smith moved in when she moved out. Janine Butcher stayed as Ricky's guest. Dawn Swann moved into 3B in March 2007, and Rob Minter moved in with her in April, but both had moved out by June. Denise and Kim Fox move into 3B in 2012 before returning to 18 Albert Square.

In 2023, Whitney Dean and Zack Hudson move into 3B so they can begin fostering. Later, their foster son Ashton moves in. A few months later, Whitney befriends a young girl called Britney Wainwright and steps up as a mother figure to her, Whitney then allows Britney to move in. Whitney later leaves the Square, with Britney and newborn daughter Dolly after her relationship with Zack breaks down. Zack asks his best friend Martin Fowler to move in, and they briefly house Priya Nandra-Hart, however this is short lived. In 2024, when Tommy Moon needs temporary foster care, Zack agrees to look after him, and Tommy moves in to Number 3B. Martin later moves back out to live with his ex wife Ruby Allen, when she returns.

3C[]

Colin Russell is the first owner of the converted top floor flat, 3C. He offers £1,000 above Tony Carpenter's asking price, gazumping Naima Jeffery who was also keen to buy it.

When Colin moved out of 3C in 1989, he left the flat vacant but under Dot Cotton's care. On 2 January 1990, Rod Norman and his girlfriend Hazel began squatting in the flat using a key 'borrowed' from Dot.

Colin then rented 3C to Ian and Cindy Beale and Cindy's son Steven in 1990. During that time, Cindy gave birth to twins: Peter and Lucy. The family lived there until 1996. David Wicks then moved in with his son Joe. When David leaves later that year, the landlord Ron Fernell arrives to re-let the flat.

When the Ferreira Family (Adi, Ash, Ronny, Kareena) were forced to move out of their home at 55 Victoria Road, they moved into the middle and top flats, along with Tariq Larousi and Sasha Perkins. They all left in 2005.

In E20 Series 3, Ava Bourne, Donnie Lester and Faith Olubunmi squatted in this flat, when they were arrested. They returned to 3 Albert Square and discovered it had been turned into a youth hostel (care home), they lived there with Richard Vance (Care worker). Richard was later arrested for sexual assault charges against Ava. Teresa moves in and takes over as the care worker. Donnie Lester is later arrested for GBH on Talia but is covering for his sister Riley Lester. Its unknown what has happened to the care home.

In 2014 LB Lettings were trying to sell 3 Albert Square, a promotional picture appeared on their website, however, following Lucy Beale's untimely death, Lauren Branning shuts down LB Lettings.

In May 2015, Kat and Alfie Moon rent 3C for Stacey Branning and Lily Branning; he pays the first year of rent for Stacey. Stacey then invites Martin Fowler to live with them. Kat, Alfie and the kids move in briefly over the festive period before returning to Spain. Stacey's half-brother Kyle Slater moves into the flat in March 2016, and Stacey's cousin Belinda Peacock moves in after leaving her husband Neville. Andy Flynn stays with them briefly for a few weeks until Belinda kicks him out because the flat is too crowded. Martin's daughter Bex moves in when her mum moves to Kettering. After Bex moves in and the flat becomes too crowded again, the Fowlers and Slaters all move into 31 Albert Square, leaving the flat vacant again.

3 Albert Square

Contents

History[]

3A[]

3B[]

3C[]

Residents[]

Current[]

3A[]

3B[]

3C[]

Past[]

3 - Whole property - before flat conversion[]

3A[]

3B[]

3C[]

See also[]