Upper Terrace House and Attached Walls

Details

CAMDEN

TQ2686SW UPPER TERRACE
798-1/16/1656 (North side)
04/03/97 Upper Terrace House and attached
walls

GV II

Detached house. c1740 as a terrace of 3 houses, some
alterations c1800; remodelled as a single house 1931-2 by
Oliver Hill for Colonel Reggie and Lady Cooper; additions
1937-8 by James Forbes of Forbes and Tate. Red/brown brick,
slate roofs with stacks.
PLAN/EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, asymmetrical plan behind regular
facade remodelled by Hill. Forbes' range set at right angles
to left, abutting the street and linked to walls round the
site.
Main elevation refronted by Hill, but there is evidence that
he followed C18 work, particularly in his central parapet for
which evidence of a predecessor survives. Symmetrical facade
of 9 windows with slightly projecting central 3 bays. Central
door and moulded surround in flamboyant Georgian style. Flush
frame architraved sashes with keystones and contrasting red
brick chenage. Cornice and blocking course; centre 3 bays
pedimented with an oeil-de-boeuf. Garden elevation more
complex. To left, symmetrical 3 bays with central C18 door,
sash windows under gauged brick heads to either side, all made
up of elements reused or remodelled by Hill. Projecting C19
bellcote. To right projecting facade staircase hall remodelled
by Hill but with large staircase window partly infilled later
C20, and shaped projecting bay (for dining room) by Hill with
his tripartite window under tympanum. To right servants' area
rebuilt by Forbes with sash windows behind decorative grilles
and first-floor round windows in wings. Modillion eaves
cornice to wing. Side elevation to street similarly treated
but with shutters to first floor and tile roof behind low
parapet. C18 work with blocked door at junction of C18 and
1937-8 wing. Eastern side elevation with projecting bow of
c1800 date.
INTERIOR: extensively replanned by Hill and his spaces
survive. Central entrance hall, its decoration remodelled in
late C20 and not of interest, leads right to drawing room with
inserted fireplace c1760 and 1931-2 moulded cornice, and left
to library with installed fireplace and panelling which
includes some early C18 pieces. Oval dining room behind.
Staircase hall remodelled by Hill, with screen of Ionic
columns and simpler pilasters at top, and staircase treads by


Hill, the balustrade renewed late C20. First floor corridor at
top of stairs, with round arches and pilasters under keystone,
continues Hill's composition. The interior of the Forbes and
Tate wing not of special interest.
Included as an C18 building, remodelled as a single unit by
Hill. Hill's facade shows how thin was the divide between
stripped classicism and full-blown modernism in his work at
this time, despite Vogue Regency detailing and the importation
of genuine C18 elements to the interior. Col Cooper was well
known for his restoration of manor houses. During the war the
house was occupied by Sir Kenneth Clark, art historian.
(Powers A: Oliver Hill, Architect and Lover of Life: London:
1989-: 71; Architecture Illustrated: 1933-: 190-1; The
Builder: 27 January 1939: 198-9; Information from LB Camden
Drainage Records).



Listing NGR: TQ2618086145

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

478426

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Powers, A, Oliver Hill Architect and Lover of Life 1887-1968, (1989), 71
Architecture Illustrated in Architecture Illustrated, (1933), 190,191
The Builder in 27 January, (1939), 198,199

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