Fairkytes was a private house originally built in the mid 18th century with several later additions to the property made up to the end of the 19th century. It is Grade II listed.
Previous occupants include Job Alibone, Joseph Fry (son of the famous prison reformer Elizabeth Fry) and Thomas Wedlake, who owned the Iron Foundry which stood opposite. In the 1950s it was bought by Hornchurch Urban District Council who used it as a library.
Fairkytes became Havering's Arts Centre in 1973 when the library moved to the purpose built building in North Street. Over time the centre has grown considerably, incorporating the Annexe building at the rear in 1992 and the Billet building next door in 2001.