17th Century Lateral Living
Eagle House, High Street, Wimbledon Village, London SW19 5EF
The new show apartment in Grade II* listed
Eagle House demonstrates the undeniable
attraction of contemporary living in a
stunning period setting. Situated on the first
floor of this Jacobean Manor House, located
in the heart of Wimbledon Village, the super-
sized apartment, accessed by its own flight
of polished limestone stairs, has soaring
stained glass and leaded light windows, an
elaborate heraldic moulded plaster ceiling,
and original fireplaces, all painstakingly
renovated.
The original grand ‘salon’ of ballroom
proportions is now the backdrop for a
relaxed super-room, the modern classic
Bulthaup kitchen, adjacent dining area, and
generously proportioned sitting room – all
quietly saying ‘wow’ on entering the property.
Two double bedrooms, built in wardrobes
and characterful fireplaces, slick en-suite
bathrooms, a ground floor guest WC/
cloakroom complete the accommodation
offer of this personality-packed home.
70 - www.refurbandrestore.co.uk
Eagle House was the second building to be
erected in Wimbledon Village in the early
1600’s, originally a family country house
commissioned by Robert Bell, the co-founder
of the British East India Company.
The house changed ownership and names
several times over the centuries, briefly
called Nelson, following Lord Nelson’s visit
in 1805, and awarded a Blue Plaque as the
home of Arthur Schopenhauer, renowned
German philosopher, who was educated
there in 1803.
Finally in 1860, the then renowned Eagle
House School took over the building, and
the moniker and rooftop statue remained
following the school’s departure and
subsequent purchases and uses. These
included a Military Academy and, more
recently, an Islamic Heritage Centre, a
peaceful history and culture library, where
along with academics and teachers,
members of the public were warmly
welcomed.
The house has taken four years to renovate
and convert by the award winning Bespoke
building team at Octagon.
Overseen by English Heritage and Octagon
Listed Home specialist Stephen Dunn, the
handpicked team of craftsmen carefully
restored all the existing fine period features,
and converted the accommodation into
8 individual homes, of which 6 are now
remaining for sale.
Through the original Jacobean oak front
door, is the main entrance hall, a warm
welcoming space furnished and decorated
in a country house hotel style, with scene
stealers - the ornately carved oak original
fireplace and a full height stained glass
window bay - vying for equal attention.
A rear oak door in the hall leads onto a
private courtyard garden which is formally
planted and provides a pleasant outlook for
residents as well as somewhere to enjoy
outdoors in seclusion.