An incredible restoration of Springfield Hospital offering luxurious apartments surrounded by stunning greenery in the heart of south west London borough of Wandsworth ..
City & Country, the UK’s leading developer of heritage buildings, has revealed the first glimpse at its stunning refurbishment of The 1840, St George’s Gardens - a breath-taking new collection of luxurious 1, 2, and 3 bedroom conversion apartments in the heart of South West London.
Combining period grandeur with modern city living, The 1840 boasts a prime location with the sought after neighbourhoods of Tooting, Earlsfield, Balham and Wandsworth Common all within walking distance.
An illustrious past
Formerly Springfield Hospital, City & Country is breathing new life into the majestic Grade II listed building and sensitively restoring and redesigning the surrounding gardens, which will be known as St George’s Gardens.
The hospital was built on a 97-acre site owned by Henry Perkins, a wealthy brewer who obtained the freehold from the 2nd Earl Spencer, and the extensive surrounding landscape, which also shares the building’s Grade II status. The Elizabethan styled building was centrally located within a parkland designed with sweeping drives, avenues and large parkland trees, in line with the popular Victorian ethos that placed significant importance on the therapeutic nature of outdoor space.
The demands of 21st century living means access to outside space remains as desirable as ever, so the masterplan for The 1840 embraces the ‘nature as therapy’ theme, recognising its importance in attaining a sense of wellbeing and contentment. Approximately 32 acres of this parkland is to be retained as a public park, whilst The 1840 has almost nine acres of secure private gardens for the use of its residents, creating a series of outdoor oases. This network of linked garden squares and courtyards ensures a green thread runs throughout the development and all the homes will have attractive areas to relax, enjoy and socialise.
Contemporary new homes
A distinctive local landmark, this grand three storey building with its gabled roofs, parapets and embattled towers has long been a distinctive local landmark. Victorian in age but with Tudor influences, it stands as a significant and well-preserved example of architecture from this time. Now, more than 175 years after the building was originally opened, City & Country is creating a range of luxurious new apartments perfectly designed for modern 21st Century living.
Externally, the majestic three storey building will be carefully restored bringing back previously lost features and creating an impressive sense of grandeur for residents and visitors. As you enter through the entrance gates and the traditional metal park rail fencing, the old sweeping drive is restored as are the grand south facing lawns with their ancient Cedars of Lebanon.
Blending heritage architecture with contemporary style, The 1840 will offer stylish living spaces alongside beautifully restored, original character features and a superior specification. Each unique apartment has been individually designed by City & Country’s specialist inhouse design team. Luxurious designs and materials have been paired with beautiful colour palettes that are modern but pay homage to the distant past to create chic and elegant interiors fit for its discerning residents.
Homes boast many restored period features, including original windows and high ceilings, with some enjoying outdoor terraces, balconies and roof terraces, giving views across the landscaped gardens to the parkland and beyond.
The development will embrace smart technology, with intercom systems, alarm systems and thermostats that can all be controlled from your mobile phones. High speed internet and wiring within the apartments will make for efficient home working, and the lighting is set up to allow easy upgrade to Philips Hue systems.
Residents will also benefit from an on-site concierge and be able to choose from a range of parking options including secure underground parking, with electric car charging points. There is also on-site cycle storage for the more sustainable travellers and those people that like a leisurely trip out to the shops or bars at the weekend. Communal areas will be boutique in nature and complemented by a collection of art from local artists. The residents also benefit from various communal garden buildings that include workspaces and a kitchen that can be used for small garden parties to enable them to make the most of the private walled gardens, lawns and courtyards.
Village living
Magnificent outdoor space surrounds The 1840, providing outdoor play areas and walking routes, as well as woodland and wetland areas to encourage wildlife and support biodiversity. Nearby Tooting and Wandsworth Commons also provide the ideal setting for a walk, jog or a picnic with friends, while the famous Tooting Bec Lido presents the perfect opportunity for a swim.
The 1840 is perfectly placed to enjoy the best of several neighbourhoods and boasts excellent transport connections to the city and beyond. From the cosmopolitan charm of Tooting to the quiet village feel of Wandsworth and Earlsfield, or the lively but laid-back vibe of Balham, there is an enviable and diverse choice of bars, cafés, restaurants and shops all within walking distance and something to suit every taste.
A thriving foodie culture and a lively entertainment scene awaits those who live here with quirky independent coffee shops, artisan delis, wine bars and pubs, street food, fine dining, gastro-pubs and Michelin star restaurants all on the doorstep.
The 1840 is within walking distance of several transport hubs offering residents easy access into wider London and the rest of the UK. Tooting Bec tube (Northern Line) is less than a 10-minute walk away, nearby Earlsfield station offers direct links to London Waterloo, whilst Southern trains from Wandsworth Common call at Clapham Junction and on to London Victoria. Alternatively, you can use the Cycle Superhighway 7 with links direct to Cannon Street in 30-minutes.
A new future
The 1840 is an integral part of the much wider Springfield Village regeneration project to transform this much-loved corner of South West London. The project will see the delivery of over 800 new homes, new shops and a café and a multi-million-pound investment in local transport infrastructure, improving links to central London and beyond. New cycle and pedestrian routes will also encourage connectivity across the surrounding area.
Commenting, Tim Sargeant, Chairman of City & Country, said:
“The 1840 stands out as a one-of-a-kind development - a beautifully restored historic building surrounded by magnificent private gardens and extensive parkland beyond in a highly-sought after South West London location. Residents will be able to enjoy modern apartment living surrounded by green space and be perfectly placed to enjoy the best of several vibrant and sophisticated neighbourhoods and great connections to the city.
“Just as when the building was first conceived and built in 1840, the recognised health benefits associated with the outdoors and healthy living are even more valued than ever before this century. This is a development that connects centuries and celebrates the very best of modern living in a cool but tranquil, urban environment.”
Prices for new homes at The 1840 will start from £375,000. For more information and to register interest ahead of the launch, visit www.cityandcountry.co.uk or call 01279 817 882.
Article published in this months autumn edition of Perfect Homes Magazine 2021
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