Architects in Belgravia
A Brief History of Belgravia
In Medieval times, Belgravia was once a flat and marshy terrain, labelled as the ‘Five Fields’ due to a series of footpaths which separated the area into five sections. Originally part of the Manor of Ebury, the land was subdivided and given to various owners who then passed it down through generations. In 1656 the marriage of the heir of the Ebury Estate, Mary Davies, to Sir Thomas Grosvenor formed basis of the Grosvenor Estate, who remains the main landlord in Belgravia to this day.
The name ‘Belgravia’ derives from one of the titles of Earl Grosvenor (also known as the Duke of Westminster), who was named Viscount Belgrave after the village ‘Belgrave’, which is located on the outskirts of Leicester 3km from the Grosvenor family’s main country estate.
The area was largely rural land until the mid-18th century, when small developments began emerging on the edges of the district. The northern part of the current Belgravia Conservation Area gradually developed an urban fabric of large mansions, whereas the southern end became more associated with public houses. In 1816 Vauxhall Bridge was completed, which enabled further accessibility into the area and provided additional means for development.
In 1821, the Grosvenor Estate had a formal plan agreed for the area and set out a list of criteria for builders to base their schemes on. One of the main builders was Thomas Cubitt, who formed an agreement with the estate in 1824 to lease nineteen acres for a development on the south side of what is now Belgrave Square. Cubitt has since become representative of Belgravia architecture due to his success regarding quality of housing, roads, sewers, streetlamps, and other amenities. From 1826, development in Belgravia advanced significantly and the iconic Belgrave Square was built. Designed by George Basevi Junior, John Soane’s protégé, the homes were extravagantly built, with each of the detached corner houses being designed by different architects.
By 1863, Victoria Station was completed, and the entire area had been developed. Belgrave Square had become the highly sought after residential epicentre that it is today. The remainder of the 19th century saw only small-scale developments consisting of flats and homes for the working class.
During the early 20th century larger projects were built, such as Victoria Coach Station, commercial offices, and several new mansion blocks. Due to the area’s proximity to Parliament, Belgravia suffered from bomb damage during the war and the destroyed buildings led to infilling with neo-Georgian styles.
The area today remains largely under the ownership of the Grosvenor Estate.
What Architectural Services do Rodic Davidson offer in Belgravia?
Rodic Davidson Architects have worked extensively within the Belgravia Conservation Area, alongside liaising with the Grosvenor Estate to achieve Planning, Listed Building and Landlord Consents. Our projects in the area range from the modernisation of a Mews House to the refurbishment and basement extension for a Grade II Listed Townhouse on a prominent road. We are specialists in designing historically sensitive schemes which fit the needs of both the client and the Conservation Area. Rodic Davidson Architects offer architectural design, interior design, and project management to ensure a holistic design can be created from the outset. Our plethora of experience and knowledge means we are well suited to design within the prescriptive set of design parameters present in Belgravia, in order to achieve consent.
About our Belgravia Architecture Team
Our experience of working in strict legislative and historically sensitive environments in prime central London consistently secures Planning and Listed Building consents. This knowledge is combined with our own specialist expertise in high-end residential architecture projects, locality, and experience in the City of Westminster, which dominates much of our portfolio.
Our contemporary design expertise allows the Rodic Davidson team to consistently deliver high-end homes for our clients, whilst our respect and passion for heritage buildings enable us to produce attentive and historically sensitive designs. This consideration is particularly relevant in primarily residential areas of London such as Belgravia, where the heritage value of the area is demonstrable through its exemplar survival of a period of great residential expansion in London.
Our Work in Belgravia, SW1X, SW1W
Rodic Davidsons’ projects range from the modernisation of a traditional Mews House to a refurbishment and basement extension of a Grade II Listed Townhouse.
We have recently completed a mews-style townhouse (pictured) which saw the internal reconfiguration and renovation of the property. The scheme included the addition of a new attic floor and new staircase through a five-storey void, designed to draw focus upwards and allow natural light to cascade down into the building.
Another one of our projects in Belgravia is a Grade II Listed Townhouse with a mews house, where Rodic Davidson Architects were invited to restore the historic fabric of the property. The scheme reinstated original features whilst incorporating a new basement storey and lift.
Talk to our Belgravia Architects Today
Rodic Davidson Architects are always interested in new potential projects of any scale. One of our team would love to hear about your property and discuss how we can help or arrange a site visit in Belgravia. We offer all our clients a bespoke approach, moulded by each site and its exciting, individual constraints.
You can call our studio to enquire or email us on enquiries@rodicdavidson.co.uk
Architecture
+44 (0)20 7043 3551
Interiors
+44 (0)20 7043 3552
