Chelsea – the architecture

Chelsea is one of the most expensive areas of London along with the neighbor boroughs Kensington and Westminster. In Chelsea there are lots of old buildings, but also new or renovated houses. It is a very attractive and expensive place to live. This property market attracts considerable international attention; much of Chelsea is now viewed as a "Global Ultra Prime Residential Area". Chelsea is a popular location for the wealthy, and once described as "a village of palaces".

Property owner Earl Cadogan

Earl Cadogan owns a lot of property in Chelsea. Most of the property he owns is located in and around Cadogan Square. This has a major influence on the markets as the Earl is the freeholder and generally has no desire to sell; although changes in legislation now mean the freeholder is obliged to sell lease extensions to a leaseholder at prices which are determined by the Leasehold valuation tribunal. Lord Cadogan is generally regarded as an effective and successful property developer/landlord being responsible for bringing all of the fashion labels to Sloane Street. The Estate maintains many of the garden squares, to which local residents can gain access by subscribing for an annual fee – and optionally the tennis courts where applicable.

Architect Sir Christopher Wren

The Great Fire in 1666 destroyed two-thirds of the city of London. The architect Sir Christopher Wren was appointed as King’s Surveyor of Works in 1669 and he had a presence in the general process of rebuilding the city. Wren was knighted 14 November 1673. This honor was bestowed on him due to his important part in rebuilding London after the Great Fire. Sir Christopher Wren was one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.^[1] He was responsible for rebuilding 51 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, completed in 1710.

The best-known building is Chelsea Royal Hospital for invalid soldiers, set up by Charles II in 1694. It is the first large project Wren designed and it fully met its purpose with such distinction and success that even in the twenty-first century it fulfills its original function.

Tipical Chelsea architecture

On Blacklands Terrace you can see three storey brick and stucco flat fronted Victorian terraces typical of Chelsea's architecture. Chelsea used to be a working class area close to the industrial riverside. Now it is one of the most expensive parts of London, its terraces and mansion flats highly sought after by wealthy buyers from around the world.