Dear friends of Chelsea Barracks,
What a year 2020 has been. The value of family, friends and our communities has never been more apparent as we navigated our way through together. In a year where the little achievements became the rather big ones, and priorities changed across the world, here are a few of the highlights from Chelsea Barracks.
A GARDEN TO WALK IN
For many during the height of the COVID19 pandemic, a walk was the highlight of the day. Never have the value of London’s remarkable public spaces, be it commons, parks, or gardens, been so unanimously realised. A new appreciation for biophilia, plants and green spaces took over and at Chelsea Barracks we were very grateful to have our beautiful gardens open for the public to enjoy.
It was an especially pleasing sight, to see an increasing number of local visitors and residents meandering through the gardens of Chelsea Barracks, finding reassuring solace and peace among the trees, water features and flowers.
A special thanks to the Estates team for their on-going hard work maintaining the gardens to such a spectacular standard over the past year – we are sure many will agree they have looked magnificent throughout the seasons.
THE TOWNHOUSE REINVENTED
In a huge milestone, the highly anticipated Chelsea Barracks Townhouses have arrived.
A completely bespoke and unique offering to London, if not the world, these 13 Townhouses express a new architectural language, one that evokes the grace of their Belgravia ancestors but with some notable updates.
Arranged over six floors, the proportions and vertical arrangements of these homes far exceed tradition, with each townhouse spanning between eight to 10 metres in width, rather than the customary six to eight of an existing Belgravia townhouse.
This adaptation enabled the architects, PDP London, to accommodate changes in the way we live today. The result is a collection of elegant and awe-inspiring private homes with high ceilings, expansive entertainment spaces, home working facilities, gardens, roof terraces, swimming pools and wellness amenities.
THE CHELSEA BARRACKS COLLECTION
Chelsea Barracks has always sought to honour British heritage and craftsmanship, turning to the expertise and age-old traditions of craftsmen and women wherever possible. Nowhere is this more apparent than in creation of The Chelsea Barracks Collection, launched this year.
This exclusive collection of British-made furniture and homeware is designed by luxury interior designers, Albion Nord. The Collection is an exhibition of the finest British craftsmanship and marks the first time Albion Nord's bespoke designs will be available to purchase by the public.
Celebrating the age-old tradition of craftsmanship in everyday objects, the unique 11-piece collection of accompanying furniture and accessories is exclusive to Chelsea Barracks and emulates a sense of timelessness and progressiveness. Pieces range from lamps and porcelain tableware to desks, chairs, fabrics and benches.
Designed to be distinctive and elegant whilst at the same time, comfortable, functional, and liveable, each piece has been crafted using age-old techniques, handmade in Britain and is available for purchase.
GIFT IDEAS - RADNOR TABLEWARE
Introducing the Radnor Tableware Collection – Porcelain dinner plates, side plates, cereal bowls, soup bowls and mugs. Named to honour the prominent history of porcelain in Chelsea, and the William Frend de Morgan pottery works which was established in 1872 on Radnor Walk. It is believed that historically, chalk and limestone were transported down the River Thames from Kent and unloaded on the Chelsea riverfront to create the porcelain.
This beautiful pottery collection, designed by Albion Nord and handmade by Sally Marien, can be purchased for the first time
GIFT IDEAS - WESTMINSTER GLASSWARE
Taking cues from Eighteenth Century and the advent of Georgian design, the Westminster Glassware echoes this dominant period of glassmaking in Britain. Comprising a red wine glass, white wine glass and tumbler made from hand-blown glass, accentuated with a distinct twist. Designed by Albion Nord. Handcrafted by London Glassworks – what better to adorn the festive table? You can watch a film on how they are made here.
GIFT IDEAS - THE WELLINGTON DESK
The Wellington Desk was the first piece conceived within The Chelsea Barracks Collection. Inspired by the traditional military campaign desk, it retains the portability and simplicity of the original design. Handmade from a single piece of beautiful British fumed pippy oak, inset with an embossed skiver hide leather. The desk front is clad in reeded timber and each of the drawers is lockable with their own cast, Chelsea barracks key. Handmade in West Sussex, this is a Christmas gift like no other.
THE SINGER SUITE BY LAWSON ROBB
The only 6-bedroom lateral apartment in Chelsea Barracks, ‘The Singer Suite’, designed by interior design firm Lawson Robb, launched early this year.
Named after the famous Porsche engineer Norbert Singer, known for his holistic design approach, Lawson Robb drew inspiration from Singer’s principle that ‘everything is important’ for the design narrative. With that in mind, the team curated a meticulous design that is not only elegant and sophisticated in style, but layered with warmth, abundant personality, and approachability to streamline aesthetics.
With floor-to-ceiling windows and unobstructed panoramic views over the rooftops of Belgravia, the apartment boasts ceilings at 2.8 metres, spacious doorways, two kitchens and generous-sized rooms that span the whole footplate of One Mulberry Square.
REVEALING 8 MULBERRY SQUARE
Architects William Smalley and Ben Pentreath collaborated on the ‘hidden’ House at Chelsea Barracks, otherwise known as 8 Mulberry Square.
Despite being rather vast in size at 5,300 sq. ft, this 3-bedroom house is tucked away behind Garrison Square, right in the heart of the development; yet its clever design means it’s also discreet and quiet – its door, only recognisable to those who know of its existence, leads through to the courtyard and onto a private tiered secret garden.
Masterminded courtesy of a collaboration between architects William Smalley and Ben Pentreath, this is a unique home full of architectural idiosyncrasies and points of interest, noted and documented by Wallpaper magazine earlier this year.
GARRISON CHAPEL - THE HEART OF THE BARRACKS
The original 18th century Garrison Chapel has been fully fitted out this year, enabling the Chapel to play host to two notable events and assuming its role once again as the centre of the Chelsea Barracks community. The first, the Belgravia London’s International Women’s Day event, shining light onto the leading ladies of the Pimlico Road. The evening celebrated the stories and experiences of some of London’s most celebrated designers from the famous design district of the Pimlico Road.
The second, the launch of the Knight Frank Wealth Report.The annual event to launch Knight Frank’s flagship publication was a huge success with over 200 people in attendance.
Both events took place in early March 2020 and we look forward to welcoming back residents and the community beyond in 2021.
LIFE AT CHELSEA BARRACKS
If there is one aspect of Chelsea Barracks that harks back to the original purpose, it’s the way we endeavour to manage things behind the scenes, with military precision. The Estates Management team are always on hand, working in the background so residents can spend their time exactly as they wish.
This year has certainly posed a few challenges for the team, who faced new guidelines and changes weekly to ensure residents and staff remained safe and well, but they adapted seamlessly, and together with the residents, the Chelsea Barracks community showed great resilience, kindness and tremendous understanding.
LOOKING AHEAD - THE TRILOGY
The construction of the forthcoming phase of Chelsea Barracks is well underway, and the site is abuzz with activity. Comprised of three large residential buildings designed by eminent architect, Eric Parry, there is great excitement mounting for their reveal.
The Masterplan dictated the configuration of the three residential buildings all set around garden squares, one facing Chelsea Bridge Road with two flanking it, and Parry was tasked with bringing these buildings harmoniously together as a trilogy.
Like any truly brilliant trilogy of novels, operas, or films, each must be individually considered, complex and entirely complete, a challenge that Parry has masterfully executed in his designed. A full interview with Parry can be read in the ‘Legacy’ Barracks Book.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ONE AND ALL
Wishing all our residents, subscribers, the Chelsea Barracks staff who have been working non-stop throughout the pandemic to keep residents safe and well, and our wonderful suppliers, a very happy holiday season