Description:  The property has been in office use since 1957, which has led to some erosion of plan form, loss of historic fabric and inappropriate internal and external alterations.  Planning permission and listed building consent was granted for conversion of the premises for use as a single family dwelling in March 2022.  Our client bought the premises soon after this with a view to living there with his family.  However, the approved alterations to the premises to make them suitable for use as a family house were very limited and our client wishes to carry out additional alterations to bring the premises up to modern living standards as well as carrying out a complete repair and restoration scheme.  The previous planning permission for change of use has now expired and a new application for change of use with some additional alterations is currently being prepared.

HCUK Group involvement: HCUK Group Planning and Heritage Consultants are actively engaged in preparing applications for planning permission and listed building consent to obtain planning permission for the change of use of the premises from offices to a single family dwelling with associated internal and external alterations to a grade II* listed property at 39 Harrington Gardens, Kensington.

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Summary

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The property comprises a 6 storey (including basement) detached former town house, loosely conceived as a pair with No 41 Harrington Gardens. It forms part of the well-known group designed by Ernest George and Harold Peto which includes 35-45 (odds) on the south side of Harrington Gardens. All of these are grade II* listed, though No 39 is arguably the most celebrated of the company.  ​All of these premises are of significant heritage interest due to both their architectural and design interest, considered the extreme of late-Victorian architectural individualism with highly elaborated design features. 

 

The property dates from 1881-83 and as built for William Schwenk Gilbert (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) who lived there until 1889.  The building bears the indelible stamp of Gilbert’s personal taste, interest in history, family connections and his appetite for a good life. The building retains a high degree of artistic value in the form of architectural sculpture both externally and internally reinforced by the quality of materials used and extemporary craftmanship.​​