Belsize Park Firehouse
Introduction
Rarely does an opportunity arise to create an iconic residential landmark in London.
Now the launch of Belsize Park Firehouse will bring a distinctive collection of exclusive new homes crafted from an outstanding Grade II* listed former fire station at the heart of sought-after Belsize Park. This unique range of just 20 one, two and four bedroom luxury apartments extends the heritage of this fine building with its Arts and Crafts period architecture, preserved with meticulous attention to detail throughout.
These thoughtful and luxuriously contemporary designed homes meet the residents’ highest expectations, adding to the building’s rich legacy for future generations.
History
BUILDING HISTORY
Belsize Park Fire Station was officially opened in 1915. Designed by Charles Canning Windmill an architect of the
London County Council Architects Department, it was awarded its Grade II* listing by English Heritage over 40 years ago, being described as “one of the most distinctive and original of a remarkable series of fire stations built”. Seen as a clever interpretation of an Arts and Craft-style house, Belsize Park Fire Station is set on a generous plot and was sensitively designed to blend in to its residential location, noted for its many spacious Victorian and Edwardian homes lining the surrounding leafy avenues.
The elevation to Eton Avenue resembles a row of terraced cottages with its tiled roof and tall chimneys while the view from Lancaster Grove is of the stone clad appliance bay frontage with its huge glazed doors, steeply pitched roof and tall hipped dormer windows.
Belsize Park Fire Station completed almost 100 years of service before being decommissioned in 2014.
Fire crews from the station worked tirelessly during the two world wars, keeping the service running throughout the London Blitz from 1940 to 1941. Crews from the fire station also attended the 1987 King’s Cross fire and the 7/7 bombings in 2005.
LOCAL HISTORY
The name Belsize Park comes from the French for bel assis meaning ‘well-situated’ and is found in records from the 1300s referring to the Manor of Belsize. Much of the rural land was owned by Henry VI who founded Eton College 600 years ago, which then commissioned a number of properties to be built in the area, hence the references to Eton in many road names.
During the 18th century the area began to attract wealthy Londoners looking for larger homes on the edge of the city, many of which survive today.
London County Council - London Fire Brigade sliding pole and rigging. 1920’s
The sliding pole was introduced into the London Fire Brigade in 1904 after its Chief Officer, Captain Eyre Massey Shaw, made an official visit to the USA and saw the poles in use in American fire houses.
Training drills were part of everyday life at the fire station. Here two London Fire Brigade firefighters from 1930 are handling lighting equipment.
London Fire Brigade firefighters in a multi-hose display with pumping machine and vehicle.
The Scheme
Belsize Park Firehouse is set across four floors offering a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments within a Grade II listed building. Situated on a generous plot on the corner of Eton Avenue and Lancaster Grove, the development is ideally placed for Belsize Village and Belsize Park and Swiss Cottage tube stations.
Apartments
Each of the apartments at Belsize Firehouse has been designed to the highest specification to deliver the ultimate in contemporary living, safe, secure and highly energy efficient. Attention to detail, using lasting materials throughout has preserved the essence of the building’s remarkable heritage.
Unit 5 - Kitchen / Living / Dining
Unit 5 - Kitchen / Living / Dining
Explore Belsize
Belsize Park Firehouse is perfectly located for village life within a short walk of independent shops, restaurants, leisure activities and transport connections. Your downtime starts here.
Transport
Leisure
Dining
Shopping
Schools
