Flats in MaryleboneMansion Blocks (Flats) in MaryleboneThe traditionally red brick Victorian and post Victorian mansions with their stucco plaster work, brass plaques and marbled hallways have, in recent times been modernized into developments of ‘mansion flats’. These apartment blocks are highly fashionable and a desirable pad for those wishing to be a part of City living with well proportioned rooms and centrally located luxury. The mansion block apartments are highly desirable providing a grand exterior and an enviable address.Marylebone has an abundance of these mansion blocks which were built between 1880 and 1910, the mansion blocks were originally built as high density housing for the wealthy. The average mansion block is neo-Georgian in style, many have been neglected whilst there are those that have been transformed into luxurious, well-proportioned and quite beautiful apartment blocks, providing many modern city dwellers with a value for money apartment in the centre of the city. Traditionally rich families and bachelors occupied entire houses whereas the flats were associated with the poor. Due to the industrial revolution, growth in the urban population, a need arose for higher density housing in the capital. This change in social needs aided the development of the mansion blocks which were developed to accommodate the middle classes. The first block of ‘mansion flats’ was developed in 1876, the Albert Hall Mansions, in Central London. The development of this mansion block of flats was originally planned as three individual parts – each would be built after the previous was successfully sold. The development proved extremely popular and every block was fully occupied. The first world war ensured that all building work came to a halt, however, this same war provided bomb damage and many post ware re-builds took place, resurrecting the Mansion block (flats) as a fashionable home. Marylebone VillageMarylebone was once a medieval village surrounded by fields, until the mid 18th Century when a number of architects including: John Prince (who built Cavendish Square in 1719), Robert Adam (Portland Place, 1770), and John Nash (Regent’s Park, 1811) created the Marylebone area we know today – it is both an elegant and fashionable part of inner city London. During the 19th Century doctors began utilizing these mansion blocks to see wealthy patients. Today, Harley Street is home to many specialists within the private medical sector.Harley Street – ‘Private Medical Practice Street’The Howard de Walden Estate is home to the large number of specialist surgeons, doctors and dentists on Harley Street, The name ‘Harley Street’ has become synonymous with private medical care in the UK and across the world.The Howard de Walden EstateThe Howard de Walden Estate encompasses a significant part of Marylebone, which was created by an aristocratic family from around 1715 , (the family still has links to the Marylebone area) including Marylebone High Street and streets to the east of the Estate.PortmanThe large area to the west of Marylebone High Street was constructed by the Portman family and is known as the Portman Estate. The construction took place between1764 & 1810,by both Henry William Portman and his son Edward Berkeley Portman.Marylebone now offers a wealth of Flats within the traditional Mansion Blocks, providing beautiful, elegant and often spacious city living close to transport links, the West End and Central London. |