NW3's Embassy

One of the more significant bits of public space is here in NW3, at the end of Eton Avenue, just outside the Hampstead Theatre and the Central School of Speech and Drama.

The School has an amazing schedule of alumni and a proud track record of providing high quality education and training.

But the building itself has considerable history and hosts the Embassy Theatre.

The Theatre accomodates about 700 people and is a former Music Hall and dates essentially from 1928 when it was converted by architect Andrew Mather. It was previously Eton Avenue Hall from 1890 then Hampstead Conservatoire of Music.

During WWII the building was damaged and so saw an extensive refurbishment in 1945/1946.

The Theatre has a crucial place in the history of the development of modern Hampstead and Belsize in that it hosted the meetings of the AJR (Association of Jewsh refugees). This group initially met at 26 Belsize Park and then rented small premises at 279a Finchley Road before moving to 8 Fairfax Mansions.

On 27th May 1945 a meeting at the Embassy Theatre to mark the end of the wa saw 800 people in the theatre and 200 more outside and again on 3rd September the venue was used for the next stage of the AJRs work. A fascinating little part of the rich tapestry of NW3.

Wow, these bits of architecture just litter the street...

It is pretty impressive, but the briefest stroll down Eton Avenue, NW3 is a joyful wander through architectural excellence.

There is something about the work that is almost casual - I think it derives from the fact that almost every building is adorned with the details and brickwork sufficient to please any home - unless you want minimalism.

Each doorway is different, each architrave has it's own distinction - it's as though each individual building has it's own specification.

Perhaps that was precisely what happened - you agreed to buy a house, a plot and you then sat down and from a catalogue you picked the brick work and style you wanted?
http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/12/many-faces-of-cricklewood.html

I have noticed that the same builders were often used in the local area and in fact the architect for Eton Avenue in Belsize is also the architect for Lyndhurst Gardens in Hampstead.

Many are dated, have signature plaques, have shiedls and coats of arms as well as small features of bronze, copper and moulded brick work.

It's truly remarkable and almost worthy of it's own detailed street study.

Much has been written about the development of the local area, but I'm not aware of a survey of each building. No doubt where there is listing, and we are after all in a conservation area, there is a record - but are the specific features captured, appreciated and catalogued?

I realise that it's not just the brickwork - but also the clever use of light, glass and the number of almost elevated conservatories really adds to the sense of spece in what is a very developed and built up area.

I've posted on the genre and the impact before:
http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/06/englands-lane-to-hampstead-theatre.html

I'm told that part of the archtectural development of the area was driven by the desire to achieve quality in the light of the Eton College connections - this is simply reflected in the naming of the roads of the area, but I'm not aware of direct eveidence linking the architecture to this heritage:

Eton Road
Eton Avenue
Kings Colleg Road
Merton Rise
Eton College Road
Fellows Road

Just how many schools are there in the local area?

NW3 has one of the highest concentrations of schools in any part of London - and this part of Belsize here in Eton Avenue is no exception.

At number 15 is Sarum Hall School - it has great character and an amzing atmosphere as a place for learning for children.


http://www.sarumhallschool.co.uk/

Founded in 1929 it is looking to it's 70th anniversary next year. Incredibly and you wouldn't know this from the outside looking at it - it takes 170 pupils between the ages of 3-11. It led me to think just how many schools are there hiding away in the area?

Interesting the long held historic links with Eton College are maintained and there is a plaque for the major rebuild/refurbishment that took place recording the re-opening by the provost of Eton College.

http://www.bileduct.co.uk/sarumhall.htm

http://86.54.120.195/Splash.asp


The area was in fact developed in the 1860's and was originally known as Bursars Road - the links to the Eton estate are reflected in the street names of Belsize. The context is that the Eton College Estates was part of the Manor of Chalcots, first the property of St Jame's Leper Hospital at Westminster. In 1449 Henry V1th granted the estate to Eton College as part of the wider endowment of that College. Thus it lay agriculturally generating income and local taxes as a rural area until the 1820's boom of property redevelopment and housebuilding began to encroach.

Off to Washington!

I don't know if there is a local CAMRA branch - I assume there is - but wow could North london benefit from a local pub guide.

There are some great local hostelries and this one in England's Lane is no exception.

The Washington is always assumed to be named after American President George, but in fact it's not at all.

The pub is in fact named after Mr Washington who was the principle builder when the development of Eton Avenue was taking place.

Edward Bliss was the landowner who led the redevelopment of England's Lane and was probably the era at which Mr Washington was 'a building' (1815-1825 ish)

It's a great misunderstanding and one that is widely perpetuated, not least by the slightly mournful picture of American George on the corner/front of the building in the pub-sign.

Either way at least it's not the carrott and lettuce!

http://www.urbanpath.com/london/pubs/the-washington.htm

http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub1436.html

http://www.belsizelibdems.org.uk/2007/12/englands-lane-xmas-tree-lights-switch.html

From look-out to full blown fire station.

I've mentioned beforethe Fire Station in Lancaster Grove, Belsize, and the other day managed to get these snaps of it.

This is of course the successor fire station to the old look-out station that was at the top of Hampstead High Street (and had an old look-out tower).

http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/06/days-of-look-out-tower.html

I'm giving here the front of the station as it were - but the architecture is really interesting and curiously of it's type - from the back - as a I walked down Eton Avenue I was reminded of the architecture of Hampton Court!

In keeping with the building of public services I found the obligatory plaque and here it is:

THIS STATION WAS OPENED
ON THE 22ND DAY OF MAY 1915
BY PERCY C SIMONS ESQUIRE
CHAIRMAN OF THE
FIRE BRIGADE COMMITTEE
LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL

It's worth noting that the growth and development of fire stations was not hampered by the first world war - if anything it gathered a little pace...

Officionado's of these things will be delighted to learn that the building is Grade II listed AND in current use (perhaps the Metropolitan Police Authority could note...).

Here's the full text of the listing definition:

• Fire station with water tower and flatted accommodation. 1914-15.
• By CC Winmill of the LCC's Architects' Department.
• Red brick with stone dressings. Steeply pitched gabled tiled roof with projecting eaves, hipped dormers to engine shed and tall brick chimney-stacks with dentil bands to accommodation. L-shaped plan with tall water-tower in angle.
• EXTERIOR: engine-shed stone faced to front with openings having part-glazed folding doors; steeply pitched roof with 3 long transom and mullion windows with small panes to dormers and 1 small box dormer. Right hand return with lunettes at ground floor and 6-light transom and mullion window to gable end; left hand return, 4 glazed doors to ground floor and 5 windows to 1st.
• Enriched brick water tower having recessed panels set between pilasters; 1st storey panels with segmental-arched recesses and dentil frieze; 2nd storey with further rectangular recesses, 2 made into windows, and dentil friezes; 3rd storey with deep dentil frieze and lattice-work brick panels having arcaded friezes. Parapet. Flatted accommodation of 2 storeys and semi-basement. Ground floor stone and brick verandah with lunettes to semi-basement and 1st floor balcony with cast-iron balustrade. Part-glazed doorways with overlights and sidelights. Tripartite sashes. To left, a single window projecting gabled bay.
• On both returns tall gable end chimney-stacks have hipped roof to one side allowing a small attic window.
• Rear facade to Eton Avenue gives appearance of terraced cottages with a ground floor canted bay and transom and mullion windows; upper floor with ten 3-light casement and oriel windows. All with small leaded panes.

England's Lane to Hampstead Theatre...

Just walking around the patch is a joy and Eton Avenue is no exception - until 1800 it was pretty much a farmland estate and then was carved into the wide avenues it is today by a series of developers and business interests - and the architecture reflects the spread of ambition.

But I was really stuck by the grandeur and range of the gateposts - and within 100 yards or so captured these four great pictures.



If we have any modern understanding of what makes a place good, what makes a place special, what enhances people's pride and activity in maintaining an area it is this mix of quality in design and construction.

At either end of Eton Avenue is the England's Lane shopping area - seriously good range of local independent traders and at the other end Hampstead Theatre, Swiss Cottage Farmers Market and the Swiss Cottage Community Centre, Library and Leisure Centre. It's great to live here!

Ed Fordham