The Story of … The Grand Belgravia Mansion by JLE Studio

JLE Studio Project Architect Andrew Roberts gives us the background story of this stunning building

The Brief

JLE Studio were the Executive Architect team for this enormous Grade II* listed project in the heart of the Belgravia Conservation area. The brief was to carry out a complete refurbishment and re-design, transforming the neglected building into a welcoming and contemporary family home. At the same time, all Grade II* listed requirements had to be satisfied.

The Original Building

The building is enormous, and in one previous incarnation had been the Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish cultural centre, until 2016. It was built around 1825, has a classic stucco exterior and numerous spectacular architectural details including a five-bay Corinthian portico, a Greek Doric colonnade to the ground floor and fine exterior dentil moulding.  By 2018 it was under new ownership, with the client desiring to turn it back into a family residence. 

The First Steps

With five floors, plus a lower ground floor to consider, the first steps were to consult with the client and make some outline decisions on how each floor would be used. There were consultations regarding the number of living and entertaining spaces, how the bedrooms would be distributed, and what the staff residency requirements would be. The project would include repairs to the roof and exterior, as well as all internal alterations and refurbishment.

The Details

As a Grade II* listed building, the team knew that potentially every area of construction and renovation would be under scrutiny, so it was always a priority to work with experts who had in-depth knowledge of Listed Building requirements. Apart from the interior décor and details, the exterior appearance also had to be accurately restored and repaired to preserve the authentic looks and details of this important and imposing building. 

The Design Process

As this is a large property, the design process needed to be meticulous across all floors and all aspects of the interior design. Although there are different styles and themes throughout, the entire building had to be considered as a whole entity to create a logical and thoughtful flow for the home as a whole, whilst accommodating the wishes of different family members. There were plans to include a new rear kitchen extension and courtyard on the ground floor, which would be an addition to the original structure. Throughout the design process, the aim of the project was always to return the house to its former splendour whilst retaining its elegance and enhancing it for a contemporary lifestyle.

The Lower Ground Floor

Some of the biggest changes were made to the lower ground floor. This became a practical and pivotal part of the whole scheme, as it combined entertaining areas such as a hydro pool, sauna, gym, sunken cinema, wine cellar and a secondary kitchen. A residence of this size also has to accommodate laundry and plant rooms, staff accommodation, catering facilities and a staff office, all of which could be situated on this level. This floor had a lot of new structural work and became a very intense and complex part of the whole project.

The End Result

The end result, to the enormous satisfaction of all concerned, is a stunning and expansive home that has every possible comfort for the family and their guests. The building project was complex and highly detailed, with specialists involved at various stages. The Grade II* listed status had to be considered at all times, with great care being taken for every single interior and exterior task.