Victorian Vibrancy

Abode2 explores one of London’s Finest Examples of Victorian Architecture Comes To Market: Luxuriously Refurbished Mansion, Moments From Kensington Gardens & Notting Hill

14 Palace Court, a Queen Anne style house, dates back to the 1890s and is considered one of London’s finest examples of Victorian architecture, securing its Grade II Listed status. The seven bedroom, detached, red brick, double fronted mansion has been meticulously refurbished by its present owners, providing over 6,899 square feet of accommodation spread over five floors and is located moments from Kensington Palace Gardens, Notting Hill and numerous embassies. The prestigious property has been brought to the market by leading prime and super prime agents, Beauchamp Estates.

Gary Hersham, founder and Director, Beauchamp Estates said, “14 Palace Court presents an opportunity to secure a rarely available family residence in close proximity to one of London’s most prestigious addresses, Kensington Palace Gardens.

“Set in a small gated secure, moments from Kensington Gardens, Notting Hill and numerous embassies and consular buildings, including those of the Russian Federation, Czech Republic and Italy, 14 Palace Court has been refurbished to an exacting standard.

“The areas immediately north of Hyde Park are experiencing market growth and gains unseen since the areas’ initial development, which peaked when Whitley’s Department store opened in 1911. It is fitting that the redevelopment of this landmark building and the advent of new schemes such as The Pembridge in Notting Hill and Park Modern on Bayswater Road are re-energising the area and returning it to its rightful ultrs-prime status.”

Palace Court is located in London’s Bayswater which dates back to the 14^th century when it was recorded as Bayard’s Watering Place. By the start of the 17^th century, despite development of surrounding areas, it was only a small hamlet, remaining that way until speculative building along the Uxbridge Road in the late 18^th century spearheaded a wave of development that carried through to the mid 19^th century. The new luxury homes quickly established the north side of Hyde Park as an extremely prestigious location, with architecture to match: the larger houses were not terraces overlooking squares served by mews, but villas with gardens, meeting a more contemporary style of living.

By 1865 buildings covered all of Bayswater with only a limited number of sites south of Moscow Road remaining available for development: building activity in the late 19th century was limited, with the only new road being Palace Court, which saw Shaftesbury House demolished and the original ‘Palace Court’ driven north to connect to Moscow Road (allegedly named to commemorate Tsar Alexander I’s visit to England in 1814).

Connecting Bayswater Road to Moscow Road, many original Palace Court residents had ’aesthetic tastes’ and included poet and publisher Wilfrid Meynell and his wife Alice, artist George William Joy and furniture expert Percy McQuoid. A number of the houses, including 14 Palace Court, were individually commissioned by their wealthy owners in the ornate red brick Queen Anne style of the day. Urbanization of the area culminated in the completion of London’ first department store William Whiteley’s in the iconic Whiteley's Building in 1911, which currently is subject to a £1 billion re-development by Foster & Partners.

14 Palace Court is an imposing double fronted, five storey, detached villa that has been fully refurbished to an exacting standard, retaining a wealth of original features throughout property.

Finished to the highest of standards throughout, this beautifully interior-designed and furnished home boasts impressive room sizes, high ceilings and original cornicing, and marble bathrooms, a bespoke kitchen breakfast room, and guest cloakroom: providing modern convenience including air conditioning to principal rooms, a landscaped garden and dedicated secure parking for four vehicles.

14 Palace Court provides four reception rooms, including a spacious family room, a formal drawing room, dining room, and large office or study. A substantial principal bedroom suite, a further bedroom suite, two bedroom with en suite bathrooms, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Entering on the ground floor, via the vestibule, the double volume entrance hall features a grand staircase, with period wooden bannister, spindles and handrail and dual aspect fireplace, shared with the dining room to the right, with windows to the side and access to the kitchen and rear garden. To the left the principle study, with original period fireplace and surround, and aspects to the front and side, next to which is a guest cloak room. To the rear is a large family room, with media and seating area, dining space, double doors onto the garden and access to the kitchen/breakfast room. The kitchen is fitted with a range of luxury contemporary cabinets and a full range of built-in appliances, with views out to the garden.

The lower ground floor is accessed off the main hall and provides a full utility room and plant room.

The principal bedroom suite occupies the entire first floor and comprises the bedroom (to the front of the property), full bathroom, dressing room, sitting room, private study with period fire place and cloak room, accessed via the study or sitting room.

On the second floor there are three further bedroom suites: one with en suite bathroom and dressing room, and two with en suite shower rooms. The third floor provides two bedrooms, each with built-in wardrobes and a further bathroom.

Palace Court is part of the Bayswater Conservation Area and is located opposite the prestigious Northern gates of Kensington Palace Gardens: 14 Palace Court is situated in an exclusive private gated crescent, set back from the main road, moments from Kensington Gardens and one of London’s most famous urban villages, Notting Hill. Bayswater Underground Station (Circle & District Lines), and Notting Hill Underground Station (Central and Circle & District Lines) are within a short walk.

14 Palace Court is offered for sale, freehold, at an asking price of £20.5 million.

www.beauchamp.com