The Riverside Journals - Festivals Issue 38 - FULL | Page 103

Simon Hedley,

Druce Marylebone
office, discusses
the renaissance of
the mews house
in prime Central
London.

Above: Harley Place’s
imposing façade
Middle: A multi-textured
contemporary reception room
at Harley Place
Below: The designer
reception room and terrace at
Weymouth Mews

103 the riverside journals

O

nce the home of horses and chauffeurs, mews houses
underwent somewhat of a renaissance in the early 20th century,
as the properties became recognised as bijoux gems, favoured
by bohemian types. Agatha Christie penned her mysteries in
a Chelsea mews house and the infamous Profumo affair is
reputed to have taken place in Wimpole Mews. The cobbled
streets, hanging baskets, and diminutive exteriors maintain the
slightly kitsch feel of these streets, however, behind the stable
doors, serious renovation projects are taking place which are
redefining these properties as some of Prime Central London’s
most premium addresses.
Whereas 30 years ago, a Sloaney set ruled London and a two-bedroom period apartment
in Kensington was the peak of property cool, in 2015 tastes are very different. International
investment into the capital has boosted a desire for contemporary living, with sleek surfaces
and in-built technology trumping period cornicing and chequer board entrance halls. Once
derided for lack of light or period features, clever developers are finding ways to flood mews
properties with light and to design the interiors in a way which represents the pinnacle of
contemporary design, placing the interiors at odds with the period exterior. This is opening up
the appeal of such properties to a far wider range of buyers.
In terms of property type – the mews remains at the top of the trend list. A home for more
celebrity residents than any other – London mews have infamously been owned by iconic
names such as Noel Gallagher and Guy Ritchie and are on the top of the wish list for A-listers
looking in London who can appreciate the status which comes with a mews address. Others
purchasing these mews homes tend to work in the arts and media, often transforming them
into striking modern works of art, complete with light boxe 2