Devonshire Buildings were built in the 1870s to house workers at the Devonshire Docks (opened 1867) and at the yards of the Barrow Iron Ship Building Company. They were designed by Paley & Austin and are now Grade II* listed. Their design resembles the tenements built at a similar time in Glasgow which were inspired by those in France. An unusual feature is the octagonal tower at the ends of each block where there was originally a bridge spanning Island Road.