Back in November last year, I wrote a blog post about Belgravia. It focused on the way the area is set to evolve over the next seven years.
The changes include the construction of nearly five hundred new homes, the opening of The Peninsular Hotel in early 2023 and this summer, the Stiff and Trevillion designed Newson’s Yard will welcome its first tenants.
All of this, despite being one of the last places in London that you’d think of as needing either investment or redevelopment.
The blog ended with this thought;
“Whilst it’s more of an evolution than revolution, it’s helping to cement Belgravia’s position as one of London’s best places to live, and a neighbourhood where every conceivable wish is catered for”
Having spent a fair amount of time in SW1X over the past year, I’m happy to tell you that I was right.
A first time for everything, I guess.
The reason for my frequent visits? Twelve months ago I was introduced to a client who owns a truly wonderful house, overlooking one of the area's best garden squares.
The intervening period of time has been spent quietly working behind the scenes. On a strategy, and then the first part of the implementation.
Through that process I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with the incredibly talented team at SHH Architecture & Interior Design, as well as some exceptional graphic designers, photographers and filmmakers.
And despite my endless requests driving all of these people halfway towards madness, today is the day that Cadogan Place is finally launched to the market.
The house is a Grade II Listed single family residence, and one of the few remaining houses on Cadogan Place to have retained its adjoining mews house on Cadogan Lane.
It’s been in the same ownership for close to two decades. During which time expectations of what a family home should offer have evolved. Hastened of course, by the events of the past two years.
Post pandemic, we need our homes to offer us more than ever before. They should provide spaces for rest and play, but also work. Because our relationship with the office has changed too and many people are working from home, at least some of the time.
Location wise, we want to spend less time travelling and more time enjoying local amenities, whether they be open spaces, cafes, restaurants or places of historical and cultural interest.
With all of this in mind, the brief to SHH was to take nine thousand square feet of internal space, and make it feel like a home. Whilst at the same time satisfying the ever increasing range of needs that a modern family requires.
And so the main focus of their design work centred around the existing kitchen, and improving the connection between the main residence and the mews behind.
Inspired by Georgian and Victorian glasshouses, they designed a modern orangery, which both provides for indoor and outdoor living, and at the same time extends the kitchen into a new family room.
These new designs will hopefully enable an incoming purchaser to understand the vast potential that the home offers.
Once a new owner has implemented the works, Cadogan Place will benefit from expansive formal entertaining spaces, places for a family to relax and enjoy each other's company, watch a movie in the home cinema or take some time for themselves in the spa or gym. And all of these areas will flow seamlessly into one another.
With the new designs complete, we’re also on the cusp of receiving planning permission from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and listed buildings consent too.
So all that remains is for the work to be carried out. Which is no small undertaking, but for the right buyer, well worth the effort.
Finally, a word on Belgravia. It’s pretty clear that it’s one of London’s best neighbourhoods.
But having spent so much time at Cadogan Place in the last year, I underestimated the feeling of calm and serenity that enjoying time in the area brings.
It’s almost totally unexpected, especially given that you’re only moments from some of the finest restaurants, fashion boutiques and department stores that London has to offer. With all of their accompanying hustle and bustle.
Being directly opposite seven acres of beautifully maintained communal gardens is like having your own private park, complete with two tennis courts.
And both Pavilion Road and the Pimlico Road Design District offer their own unique charm. Mostly because they’re full of independent offerings, and fantastic places to go if you’re in need of some inspiration, or a low key lunch.
I think it’s this. For all of the glamour of the boutiques on Sloane Street, there’s something deeply reassuring about living in a part of London so steeped in history, where the properties themselves are as beautiful now as when they were built in the 1800s.
And the chance to purchase a house rich in history and architectural detail, where you can create a home which is at the same time modern, comfortable and luxurious means that for me, Cadogan Place is one of London’s stand out opportunities.
You can see the full listing here.
Things I’ve been inspired by this week
I first heard this a few weeks ago. I can’t remember where, but I love it.
I’ve been thinking about it whilst London has been enjoying some glorious weather (not today). But when the sun does shine, there really is nothing quite like living in this city.
“The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building”
Louis Kahn
