CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY REVIEW | ST JOHN’S WOOD P Figure 1: Nos. 60 - 64 Queen’s Grove APPENDIX 2 Boundary Review Introduction A. The periodic review of existing conservation area boundaries falls under the statutory duty the City Council has to preserve and enhance areas of special architectural or historic interest within Westminster. A.2 The initial boundaries defined in the first designation of the conservation area in 967 were extended in 979 to include areas around St John’s Wood High Street, Prince Albert Road, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Grove End Road, Alma Square/Hamilton Gardens and Parts of Maida Vale. The existing conservation area is large, with an irregular boundary line which reflects the 979 extension as well as a deliberate exclusion of the vastly redeveloped centre of the area, along Wellington Road and an island around the Grove End Road. A.3 As part of the St John’s Wood Conservation Area Audit, the present extent and boundaries of the area have been reviewed by McCoy Associates, on behalf of Westminster City Council. Seven areas have been reviewed for inclusion within the conservation area, these are considered outlined in detail below with a summary and recommendation of the findings. The areas reviewed are outlined on the map at Figure x. Area 1: Nos. 60 - 64, 66 - 68 Queen’s Grove & Nos. 26 & 28 Finchley Road A.4 Nos. 60 – 64 (consec.) Queen’s Grove is a late 9th century terrace with shopfronts at ground floor level, three further storeys and a consistent parapet line concealing the roof. No. 6 has been rendered while the rest of the group has bare stock brick with stucco dressings to the windows, string course and parapet. The central five bays have tripartite sash windows with Classical pedimented heads, while the end bays have single sashes. This group reflects the final phase of development that took place in St John’s Wood towards the end of the 9th century. A.5 Nos. 66 - 68 Queen’s Grove is a single storey building on the corner of Queen’s Grove and Finchley Road. Built in 868, as the Marlborough Road Underground Station for the Metropolitan Line, which closed in 939 when the St John’s Wood station was built. Although now rendered, the building retains much of its original character such as the round arched windows and entrance, pitched roof, and side wing along Finchley Road. This building represents an important shift in the historical development of St John’s Wood as a whole. Picture to be inserted Figure 2: Nos. 66 - 68 Queen’s Grove
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CONSERVATION AREA BOUNDARY REVIEW | ST JOHN’S WOOD P�
Figure 1: Nos. 60 - 64 Queen’s Grove
APPENDIX 2
Boundary ReviewIntroduction
A.� The periodic review of existing conservation area boundaries falls under the statutory duty the City Council has to preserve and enhance areas of special architectural or historic interest within Westminster.
A.2 The initial boundaries defined in thefirst designation of the conservation areain �967 were extended in �979 to include areas around St John’s Wood High Street, Prince Albert Road, Lord’s Cricket Ground, Grove End Road, Alma Square/Hamilton Gardens and Parts of Maida Vale. The existing conservation area is large, with an irregular boundary line which reflectsthe �979 extension as well as a deliberate exclusion of the vastly redeveloped centre of the area, along Wellington Road and an island around the Grove End Road.
A.3 As part of the St John’s Wood Conservation Area Audit, the present extent and boundaries of the area have been reviewed by McCoy Associates, on behalf of Westminster City Council. Seven areas have been reviewed for inclusion within the conservation area, these are considered outlined in detail below with a summary andrecommendationofthefindings.Theareas reviewed are outlined on the map at Figure x.
Area 1: Nos. 60 - 64, 66 - 68 Queen’s Grove & Nos. 26 & 28 Finchley Road
A.4 Nos. 60 – 64 (consec.) Queen’s Grove is a late �9th century terrace with shopfronts at ground floor level, three further storeysand a consistent parapet line concealing the roof. No. 6� has been rendered while the rest of the group has bare stock brick with stucco dressings to the windows, string courseandparapet.Thecentralfivebayshave tripartite sash windows with Classical
pedimented heads, while the end bays have singlesashes.Thisgroupreflectsthefinalphase of development that took place in St John’s Wood towards the end of the �9th century.
A.5 Nos. 66 - 68 Queen’s Grove is a single storey building on the corner of Queen’s Grove and Finchley Road. Built in �868, as the Marlborough Road Underground Station for the Metropolitan Line, which closed in �939 when the St John’s Wood station was built. Although now rendered, the building retains much of its original character such as the round arched windows and entrance, pitched roof, and side wing along Finchley Road. This building represents an important shift in the historical development of St John’s Wood as a whole.
Picture to be inserted
Figure 2: Nos. 66 - 68 Queen’s Grove
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A.6 Nos. 26 & 28 Finchley Road is a pair of Grade II* listed semi-detatched villas built during the early phase of Eyre Estate development c. �830-40. This stucco pair has undergone some alteration but retains much of the original character with a central pediment at attic level and outer recessed entrance bays at either end. At first floorlevel are delicate cast iron balconies. No. �8 was also the home of poet Thomas Hood from �844-45 and from �900-6� housed the St John’s Wood Art Club.
Area 1: Summary and Recommendation
A.7 The Classical detail, the materials and the date of the short terrace at Nos. 60 - 64 Queen’s Grove is consistent with much of the St John’s Wood area and its inclusion within the conservation area is recommended.
A.8 Although some of the original features at Nos. 66 - 68 Queen’s Grove have been lost, the overall character of this building remains. The building also represents a phase of the area’s history which warrants inclusion within the conservation area.
A.9 Nos 26 & 28 Finchley Road are fine examples of the Eyre Estate’s earlydevelopments that characterise much of St John’s Wood. Their architectural style as well as their artistic and historical connections with the area lends them strongly towards inclusion within the conservation area.
A.�0 The upper end of Grove End Road has been excluded from the conservation area as the large-scale, commercial redevelopments are considered out of keeping with the character of St John’s Wood. Also excluded is the small cul-de-sac development along Acacia Road.
A.�� Acacia Gardens was built in �956 as a small residential development on a private road, with two blocks fronting Acacia Road. These modestly-scaled buildings are three storeys with pitched roofs and central chimney stack. In a neo-Georgian style, thehouseshaveacontinualbalconyatfirstfloor level and timber casement windows.The lamp standards are contemporary with the development.
Area 2: Summary and Recommendation
A.�� The Acacia Gardens development forms a compact group that is in keeping with the scale of buildings along Acacia Road. The buildings have a restrained architecturalcharacterthatfitswellwiththeconservation area as well as representing a later phase of development. Given the unity of the group, their modest scale and residential character they are recommended for inclusion within the conservation area.
Figure 4: Acacia Gardens
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Area 3: Oslo Court, Charlbert Street; the Barrow Hill Estate and Nos. 8 - 18 (even) Newcourt Street
A.�3 At the south-eastern extremity of the conservation area, the existing boundary excludes the triangle of land containing the mansionflatsofOlsoCourt.
A.�4 Oslo Court is a Grade II listed flatblock dated �937-8, by Robert Atkinson. The 7 storey brick building has an L-shape plan with a �-bay end to Prince Albert Road, 9-bays to Culworth Street and 7 to Charlbert Street. The form of the building and steppedbalconiesensureseachflathasasouth-facing aspect. The development of theflatsinthelate1930sisconsistentwithmuch across St John’s Wood, and therefore reflects the widespread redevelopment ofthe area in the early �0th century, especially around Portland Town.
A.�5 The Barrow Hill Estate is bounded by Allitsen Street to the north, Charlbert Street to the east, Newcourt Street to the south and Bridgeman Street to the west. Formed of eight inter-war social housing blocks arranged around a central courtyard with Robin House forming the main front onto Newcourt Street. The buildings date from the late �930s and in red brick with minimal detailing. Windows are either multi-paned timber sashes or metal casements. The
Figure 5: Oslo Court, Chalbert Street
blocks vary in scale from Robin House which rises 7 storeys plus attic, and the more modest side blocks which are 4 storeys. The buildings form a consistent and well contained architectural unit and alsoreflect theformofsocialhousingthatwas emerging during the inter-war and post WW� periods.
Area 3: Summary and Recommendation
A.�6 Oslo Court and many other early �0th centuryflatblockswereoriginallyexcludedfrom the conservation area as they were not considered to be in keeping with the predominant Victorian character. It is now considered that the �930s buildings and mansion blocks add another layer of character to St John’s Wood, and Oslo Court would fit well within this. Giventhe inclusion of a more recent and less architecturally important flat block beyondat 83-86 Prince Albert Road, the inclusion of Oslo Court within the conservation area seems appropriate and is recommended.
A.�7 The Barrow Hill Estate makes an important contribution to the story of the later development of St John’s Wood. The scale and simple detailing of the buildings mean they blend in well with the surroundings as well as form a contained unit. The boundaries of the conservation area would also be made more logical if the Estate, as well as nos. 8 - �8 (even) Newcourt Street were included. The inclusion of the Barrow Hill Estate and nos. 8 - �8 is recommended.
Figure 6: Robin House, Newcourt Street
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Area 4: Addison House, Grove Court, Circus Lodge, South Lodge & Nos. 32 - 38 Grove End Road
A.�8 There is currently a hole in the centre of the conservation area as a result of the deliberate exclusion of large-scale �0th century blocks from the original designation. It is now considered that early �0th century mansion blocks such as those proposed in Area 4 add another layer to the character of St John’s Wood as well as represent a distinct phase of development.
A.�9 Addison House Grove End Road was built in �9�0 as accommodation for single women in the ‘caring professions’. The foundation stone was laid by Dr Christopher Addision, a social reformer and politician who was Britain’s first Minister of Health.The scale of the 5 storey high building is relatively restrained compared with other mansion blocks in the vicinity. The central entrance bay is recessed and the two end bays have projecting elevations in the �nd and 4th bays. In red brick with occasional stucco detailing: string course above ground floorlevel,keystonesabovewindowsandtop storey. The windows have retained their original timber sashes.
Figure 8: Circus Lodge, Circus Road
Figure 7: Addison House, Grove End Road
A.�0 Grove Court occupies the large corner plot between Circus Road and Grove EndRoad and is significantly larger-scalethan its neighbour Addison House. Built c. �9�9 with seven storeys in brown brick with red brick and stucco detailing. The central entrance bays are recessed and framed with projectingstuccobays.Thegroundfloorisrendered and the corner bay forms a turret with copper roofed cupola. A balustraded parapet runs conceals the roof. Although onasignificantlylargerscalethanmuchofthe conservation area, the age and style of this block is consistent with much of the redevelopments that took place in the �0th century.
A.�� Circus Lodge is a c. �9�0 red brick mansion block on a scale and with architectural detailing similar to Addison House. Five storeys high with an additional level in the steep-pitched attic. The fivewindow wide end bays project and the building retains its original multi-pane timber sashes.
Figure 7
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A.�� South Lodge is situate on the opposite corner plot to Grove Court. This mid �930s building is set back from the road and rises seven storeys. Formed of various projecting and recessed bays, the upper storeys are in brown brick while the ground and firstfloors are stuccoed. The architecture isrestrained with a neo-Georgian character reflective of other 1930s buildings in theconservation area. Although large-scale, the form is consistent with other mansion blocks proposed for inclusion in this area.
A.�3 Nos. 32 - 38 (even) Grove End Road are four detached houses set back behind boundary walls. They are all brick and domestically scaled with pitched roofs. Although not architecturally distinguished, their scale and domestic character is fitting with much of the St John’s WoodConservation Area. Their inclusion within the conservation area is proposed so as to make a more coherent boundary line from the designated area of Grove End Road
Area 4: Summary and Recommendation
A.�4 When considered as a whole unit, the island of undesignated mansion blocks in the centre of the conservation form a consistent character area. The development of the early �0th century mansion blocks in St John’s Wood is part of the history of the area and onewhichisreflectedinthispocketofland.Many of these building have retained their original features such as windows, which could be afforded greater protection through inclusion in the conservation area. Nos.
3�-38 are similar in scale and character to much of the existing conservation area and their inclusion would not detract from the overall character of the area. Nos. 3�-38, South Lodge, Grove Court, Circus Lodge and Addison House are all recommended for inclusion within the conservation area.
Area 5: Scott Ellis Gardens, Bronwen House and nos. 2a - 12 Grove End Road
A.�5 Scott Ellis Gardens is located at the southern end of Grove End Road. Developed in �903, the mansion houses which include blocks fronting Grove End Road (Bronwen House) were built by the Howard de Walden Estate as part of a re-housing scheme following the slum clearances around Portland Town at the turn-of-the-century. Formed of two symmetrical groups, the groundfloorisinbrownbrickwithredbrickto the upper storeys. Windows are timber sashes with white painted stone surrounds. The development forms a consistent group which has retained much of its original features and Edwardian character.
A.�6 Nos. 2a - 12 (even) Grove End Road are seven detached two storey houses from the mid �0th century. Their scale and character is consistent with other properties in the conservation area and they are proposed for inclusion to make a more coherent boundary line along the Grove End Road.
Figure 9: South Lodge, Grove End Road
Figure 10: Scott Ellis Gardens
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Area 5: Summary and Recommendation
A.�7 The group formed of Scott Ellis Gardens and Brownwen House have a character, age and scale in keeping with other mansion blocks in the area. This group of buildings have retained many of their original features, most notably timber sash windows, and these could be afforded greater protection. Their historical associations with the redevelopment of Portland Town is an important part of the story of the overall development of St John’s Wood. Their inclusion within the conservation area is therefore recommended.
A.�8 Nos. �a - �� Grove End Road are also recommended for inclusion within the conservation area to ensure a more coherent boundary line. These buildings are also in keeping with many other residential development already within the conservation area, particularly nearby along Elm Tree Road.
Area 6: Copthorne Court, Maida Vale and No. 17 Hall Road
A.�9 Copthorne Court is located beyond the western boundary of the conservation area, on the corner of Maida Vale and Hall Road. This 1928-30 block of flats wasdesigned by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and is Grade II listed. Seven storeys high, with three angled projections with entrances alongMaidaVale. The ground floor is inrusticated stone and the upper storeys are brown brick. Windows are metal casements and are grouped in bays of two. The age, style and scale of this development is consistentwithothermansionflatsintheStJohn’s Wood area.
A.30 No. �7 Hall Road is a late �0th century officedevelopmentinbrownbrick.Althoughof less architectural importance, the scale and overall character of the building is not out of keeping with Copthorne Court. It is proposed for inclusion so as to make a more coherent conservation area boundary.
Area 6: Summary and Recommendation
A.3� Copthorne Court is an important building in its own right and one which fitswith other early 20th centurymansionflatsintheconservationarea.Theblock’sinclusion within the conservation area is therefore recommended.
A.3� No. �7 Hall Road is recommended for inclusion so as to make a coherent boundary line extending from Hall Road down to Maida Vale.
Area 7 The Boundary Road Estate & Nos. 21 - 47 Boundary Road
A.33 The Boundary Road Estate is located at the northern extremity of St John’s Wood, fronting the south side of Boundary Road. The estate was included in the initial conservation area designation in �968 but removed in �979 because it was thought not to have any common association of character or form with the Victorian and Edwardian townscape. However, the later �0th century development of much of St John’s Wood is now considered to add a distinct character layer of townscape. Built in �956 by Armstrong & McManus, the estate consists of angled blocks and a courtyard group to the west. The scale and materials ofthebuildingfitswithmuchwhichalreadyexists in St John’s Wood.
Figure 11
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A.34 Nos. 21 - 47 Boundary Road are a group of c. �970 semi-detached houses. Set back from the road with short driveways and front gardens behind low boundary walls. Some have sub-ground level garages. The architecture, age, material and overall character of these groups is consistent with much of the residential buildings already in the conservation area.
Area 7: Summary and Recommendation
A.35 The Boundary Road Estate and Nos. �� - 47 Boundary Road are of material, age and characterthatfitswithmuchoftheexistingconservation area. Their inclusion within the conservation area is recommended as this would make a more coherent boundary up to the London Borough of Camden.
Figure 12: Boundary Road Estate
Other Areas Considered
Vale Close, Maida Vale
A.36 Vale Close is a small cul-de-sac development located on Maida Vale. A c. �930s development of mock-Tudor style houses with half timbered fronts. Given the character of these buildings is quite unlike the large blocks determining the character of Maida Vale and unique from the residential buildings elsewhere in St John’s Wood, this
Figure 15: Vale Close, Maida Vale
Figure 14
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