These two houses in Margravine Gardens, built in 1890, were rather dilapidated until recently. Now they have had basement extensions, been converted into flats and look smart.
They are in the Barons Court Conservation Area so have retained their original roof-line and windows. The rooms are much larger than the other terraced houses in the street – think loft apartments – but they are wedged in between the street and the tube lines. Nevertheless the architects have done a good job, turning the north facing rear into a wall of glass. I assume it is double glazed to stay warm and quiet. I took this picture standing on the eastbound platform at Barons Court Satation.
To my mind it is a successful conversion, although the top floors look more desirable than the ground floor and basement. Meanwhile I have heard two things anecdotally. First, that many of the expensive flats being built in London are not selling and secondly that the re-development of the cinema in Kensington High Street has been put on hold. Hometrack reports that in 2014 sales were agreed at 0.5% below the asking price and this has now widened to as much as 10% in London. Speculators who bought off plan and developers look as though they are in for a rough ride.