Covering 1,569km² (606 square miles), Greater London offers an historical heritage that is comparable with any capital in the world, across The City itself and its 32 boroughs. With the new homes it needs being built in such a diverse range of locations, some of them are inheriting a particularly interesting backstory from previous decades and even centuries.
At some of them, very little physical evidence remained before work started on redeveloping it, or what was left was beyond repair or restoration. At others, some or all buildings could be partly or wholly retained to play a leading role in the life of new residents and/or the surrounding community and general public. Whether or not you are a house-hunter, it can be quite addictive to read about current property developments which paint a colourful picture of times past.
The Nestlé brand is one of the best known in the worlds of chocolate and coffee (think Milkybar and Nescafe) and the company used to have a large factory in Hayes, west London, where Barratt London is now building homes and an industrial park. The first factory was opened by famous bodybuilder and entrepreneur Eugen Sandow in 1913 and as the company’s success grew, so did the site’s offerings. At one point, there were around 2,000 people working here. A number of Art Deco features are being retained, including converting the old canteen building into a gym and community facilities. There will be a lot of new open spaces and a walk along a section of the Grand Union Canal will be open to the public for the first time. Right now, Hayes Village has studios and one-, two and three-bedroom apartments from £288,000 to £515,000.
Hayes Village
Nestlé factory on the site of Hayes Village
Teddington Riverside will ring a bell with any TV, film and music fans because it was the site of eight studios used for countless famous titles, from The Sooty Show to Morecambe & Wise and Not Going Out. The Beatles and the Rolling Stones are two of the ‘Who’s Who’ of performers who appeared in shows at Teddington Studios, which closed for the last time in 2014. Located by the Thames, it’s now a sought-after place to live in west London offering a host of services and facilities to residents of its 217 spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury apartments, which are currently priced from £690,000, £875,000 and £1.52m respectively.
Teddington Riverside
Catalyst is offering homes at Aspire at St Bernard’s Gate. This is in west London too, but in this case, the location is the redevelopment of the Victorian Ealing Hospital (originally known as Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum) in Hanwell. These historic grounds have the Grade II listed North House, St Bernard’s Chapel, and gatehouse arch. A couple of years ago, the Science Museum published a feature on this progressive institution with many details of its fascinating story. The contemporary-designed new blocks on the site today offer a selection of one and two-bedroom apartments. Prices start at £80,625 for a 25% share of a one-bedroom home under Shared Ownership (based on full market value of £322,500) and £370,000 for one available through London Help to Buy.
Aspire at St Bernard’s Gate
Manor Place Depot is a development on the border of Elephant & Castle and Walworth which is bringing 11 low-rise blocks of apartments as well as a number of redeveloped archways that will host local businesses. Opened in 1895, this was the site of three swimming pools, showers and laundry facilities for the local population, which boasted beautiful interiors and very impressive Victorian architecture. When those facilities were not needed any more, it became home to boxing and was one of the top venues in the days of the Kray twins in the late forties and early fifties. As we talked about a few weeks ago, many artefacts have been uncovered which illustrate the life and times of the area. Prices for the one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at this Notting Hill Genesis development currently start at £467,500, £647,500 and £732,500 respectively.
Manor Place Depot
Hornsey Town Hall was built around 80 years ago. It is now a Grade II listed building which has now been beautifully restored by Far East Consortium and includes a performance arts centre, assembly hall for public and private events, cinema and hotel. In its grounds are newly built collection of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The Town Hall Square is a public space which will host arts, food and local festival events throughout the year. The Council Chamber now hosts gigs and performances by musicians, comedians and theatre companies, and can also be booked for wedding ceremonies and private or corporate functions. Prices start from £489,950 for a studio, £499,950 for a one-bedroom apartment, £644,950 for a two-bedroom apartment and £959,950 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Hornsey Town Hall
The name of Eastman Village is connected with its major role as a Kodak factory. The company was co-founded in the USA by George Eastman and became a leading worldwide brand in photography for many decades. The factory here in Harrow was the company’s first overseas and was opened in 1891. By the 1950s, some 6,000 were employed here, developing and printing photos for customers. The digital age had a huge effect on the company and the site finally closed in 2016. Now, Barratt London is building up to 2,000 new homes along with commercial and retail units, green spaces and a landscaped park. The site’s restored, original chimney will remain a landmark. Current prices for one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments range from £340,000 to £552,000.
Eastman Village
Kodak factory on the site of Eastman Village
Deptford has an engrossing, long history (unfortunately, a brilliant BBC documentary on the area isn’t available right now) and has played a part in things from the fiction of The Canterbury Tales to the real lives of Sir Francis Drake and Peter the Great. As a major dockyard, it was home to many industrial businesses. Deptford Foundry was originally founded in 1831 to manufacture a wide array of metal products for maritime and other uses. Anthology is redeveloping the site and its contemporary buildings pay tribute to its heritage through the choice to materials and palette. In all, 276 private homes are coming here, a selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes. Prices start from £395,000.
Deptford Foundry
Victorian-built The Chappell Piano Factory in Camden crafted products for the world-renowned brand and premier clients including Beethoven, Strauss and Sibelius. It also played a part in World War II, where it turned to providing parts for the legendary Spitfire fighter aircraft. With many retained and restored features inside and out – the building’s front door alone is a work of art – and many bespoke new elements, is now being marketed by Foxtons as an exclusive collection of three- and four-bedroom luxury apartments. Residents also have a concierge, and Club Lounge will pool, Jacuzzi and gym area. Prices range from £2.95million to £4.65million.
The Chappell Piano Factory
Best known for its contemporary homes, Heronslea Group has re-built and restored Hillside Manor in Harrow Weald and converted it to high-end apartments. The Victorian house, with its views over open fields and the capital’s skyline, was the family home of the Crosse & Blackwell family, famous for its preserves and especially Branston Pickle. The building was ravaged by fire and abandoned for several years. Only of the seven apartments remains for sale now – priced at £625,000, it is on the second floor and has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a private balcony.
Hillside Manor
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