Architects in Knightsbridge
A Brief History of Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge originated as a small hamlet south of the royal deer park in Hyde Park, on the main road to the village of Kensington. The term ‘Knightsbridge’ referred to a bridge over Westbourne River, positioned where Albert Gate now sits. In 1730, the river was dammed to form the Serpentine in Hyde Park. The river was subsequently covered and today runs underground. Initial development of Knightsbridge centred around the bridge, before spreading westwards, with large villas subsequently being built facing the park.
During the late Georgian and Early Victorian eras, development in the area remained speculative, haphazard, and mixed use however, as no single estate was responsible for the available land and there were fluctuations in the building trade and demand for property. Thomas Cubitt’s Italianate style Albert Gate (built in the 1840s) helped transform the area from a shabby hamlet to a fashionable suburb towards the mid-late 19th century.
The Great Exhibition was held in Hyde Park in 1851 and proved to be a great success. It raised the profile and status of the area and resulted in the creation of Exhibition Road in the late 1850s, with other exhibitions being held later in the 1800s. The temporary exhibition buildings were eventually demolished and the permanent buildings of many educational institutions were built, which still stand today (including the Royal College of Music and the Royal Geographical Society). Along with cementing Knightsbridge’s status as a cultural centre, the Great Exhibition also helped raise the commercial profile and fashionable status of the area with many business owners, including Charles Henry Harrod, setting up shop to capitalise on its success.
By the late Victorian period, Knightsbridge had much of its modern street layout. Many of the grand terraced family houses were considered too large and new development took the form of blocks of mansion flats instead of houses.
The area today is still a thriving centre, known internationally for its exclusive shops and luxury property, and interestingly spans two Local Authorities – The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC), and Westminster City Council. Unlike other central London locations, the area is largely outside of the ownership of the Great Estates, rather it is owned by private individuals or companies. The Cadogan Estate, who Rodić Davidson have considerable experience working with, own property around Hans Place, in the south-eastern corner of Knightsbridge.
What Architectural Services do Rodic Davidson offer in Knightsbridge?
Rodić Davidson Architects have worked extensively within the Knightsbridge, Hans Town and Brompton Conservation Areas located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Westminster City Council, alongside liaising with the Cadogan Estate to achieve Planning, Listed Building and Landlord Consents. Our projects in the area range from the rebuilding of a Mews House to the refurbishment and extension for a Grade II Listed Townhouse and a full façade retention and rebuild of a mansion block of apartments on a prominent garden square. We are specialists in designing historically sensitive schemes which fit the needs of both the client and the Conservation Areas. Rodić 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 Knightsbridge, in order to achieve consent.
About our Knightsbridge 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 projects, locality, and experience in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster City Council, which dominates much of our portfolio.
Our contemporary design expertise allows the Rodić 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.
Our Work in Knightsbridge, SW1X
Rodić Davidsons’ projects range from the rebuilding of a Mews House to the refurbishment and extension for a Grade II Listed Townhouse and a full façade retention and rebuild of a mansion block of apartments on a prominent garden square.
We have recently completed a Queen-Anne Revival Style apartment (pictured) which included the internal reconfiguration and renovation of the property. The scheme included the addition of a rooflight and new glazing, designed to increase natural light within the property, while bespoke joinery enhanced the luxurious interior design scheme.
Another one of our projects in Knightsbridge is a large duplex apartment near Harrods, where Rodić Davidson Architects were invited to enhance and restore the historic fabric of the property. The scheme reinstated original features whilst incorporating a new stairwell as a focal element, with delicate curved polished plaster wall and bespoke balusters, creating a modern interpretation of the decorative cast iron Art-Deco balusters popular during 1930s Europe and Britain.
Talk to our Knightsbridge Architects Today
Rodić 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 Knightsbridge. 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
