Just occasionally a special family home comes onto the property market. One such is the Italianate villa at No 17 Ravenscourt Square…
‘Recently, we were asked to view a home on Ravenscourt Square,’ recalls John Horton of Horton and Garton estate agents. ‘Little did we realise that we were about to value such a fascinating property.’ Since the 1850s No. 17 Ravenscourt Square has stood tall and impressive at the western edge of Ravenscourt Park and, while many residents will recognise its rose-pink façade, few will be aware of the history of ‘Ravenstower’.
Today, Ravenscourt Park’s 33 acres are all that remains of the medieval estate of Pallenswick (as in Paddenswick Road). The estate and its moated manor house were granted to royal mistress Alice Perrers in 1373 by Edward III and it was Thomas Corbett, the Secretary to the Admiralty and the owner in 1746, who changed the name to Ravenscourt to reflect the raven on his coat-of-arms.
In 1812 the estate was bought by George Scott, an entrepreneur who developed St Peter’s Square and built Black Lion Lane and many other local roads and homes, among them 17 Ravenscourt Square. Designed in the Italian style, the imposing property was nicknamed ‘Ravenstower’ thanks to its distinctive pink belvedere.
Whilst the Ravenscourt manor house – in 1890 it had opened as Hammersmith’s first public library – and many other homes were lost during the Blitz, No. 17 survived intact.
The current owners bought the property in 2013 and embarked on a major year-long renovation project; now, after breathing new life into the building, they have decided to leave London and their little slice of Italy. Here they describe how ‘Ravenstower’ has been sympathetically transformed.
‘We commissioned AND Architecture & Design to enhance the existing historic features and improve the layout. Following extensive re-wiring, plumbing, insulation and roof repairs, we removed the water tank in the belvedere in order to convert it into a secret hideaway; we also re-modelled the top floor bedrooms, fitting ensuite bathrooms using historic HE Smith tiles and Drummonds furnishings, and refurbished the original floorboards throughout the house.
‘The fireplaces were re-instated, with matching antique marble fireplaces sourced to replace sub-standard reproduction ones in the dining and sitting rooms, and we created a library/snug with a secret door inspired by a 19th century design.
‘The guest bedroom was tanked and fitted with an ensuite bathroom and the south-facing kitchen/breakfast room improved by adding French windows and a conservatory, so creating a light-filled space which is the heart of the home all year round. Outside, we repaved the garden with Portland Stone, built a wall at the back using period bricks and re-conditioned the front steps.
‘What we will miss most about No.17 are its wonderful features and sense of history. It has a unique atmosphere. Being situated in an elevated position on a private road by Ravenscourt Park is like living in a green oasis surrounded by birdsong – and that’s a rare treat in London.’
If you would like more details or to request a viewing, call Sales Manager Martin Clements MNAEA on 020 8819 0510 or email martin@hortonandgarton.co.uk
Horton and Garton – Hammersmith
172 King Street
Hammersmith W6 0QU
Sales: 02088190510
Lettings: 02088190511
office@hortonandgarton.co.uk
https://www.hortonandgarton.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/hortonandgarton/
https://www.facebook.com/hortonandgarton/
https://twitter.com/hortonandgarton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-horton-46474823/
https://www.youtube.com/user/hortonandgarton
Horton and Garton – Hammersmith
172 King Street
Hammersmith W6 0QU
Sales: 02088190510
Lettings: 02088190511
office@hortonandgarton.co.uk
https://www.hortonandgarton.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/hortonandgarton/
https://www.facebook.com/hortonandgarton/
https://twitter.com/hortonandgarton
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-horton-46474823/
https://www.youtube.com/user/hortonandgarton