UK Redevelopment: A huge and historic 1930s country house in Berkshire, to the west of London, is being converted into 35 apartments which cost from €1.457 million to €3.64 million (£1 million to £2.5 million) through FPD Savills.
The house, called Charters, was designed in 1936 for wealthy industrialist Frank Parkinson by HG Hammond, of Adie Button & Partners, who was instructed to spare no expense in the construction. The Grade II listed building incorporates a few styles, and has been referred to as Vogue Regency, Art Deco, and Modernist. The overall effect is that of Modernism, with the Portland stone white exterior and interesting window configurations including horizontal bands, typical of the Modern style.
It was built at a time when this style of architecture was hitting the UK and Ireland, with examples including Eric Mendesohn's pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, Wells Coates's Isokon apartments in London and Michael Scott's house in Sandycove, Dublin.
While the style never took off in a big way - the second world war putting paid to a lot of building - there is a revival of interest with Bexhill, the Scott house and Isokon all having recently been restored. (Isokon won the UK Crown Estate Conservation Award last Saturday).
Charters, which was most recently a research centre, factory and office for Vickers and then De Beers, is being restored and added to by Sabre Developments. It even tracked down the original architect, now in his nineties, to discuss the concept.
Adding into the mix of styles was Mrs Doris Parkinson, whose sister designed the interior in a combination of Queen Anne, early-Georgian, or Louis XVI.
So the choice of apartments for sale includes those with very 1930s bronze windows, stretching from floor to ceiling to a sumptuous marble bathroom built for Mrs Parkinson, and traditional timber-panelled rooms.
This house was fit for royalty; after their return to England from the United States in 1947, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (Edward and Mrs Simpson) were "loaned" Charters by Mrs Parkinson. There is film footage of the couple here.
Eight apartments have been sold and 26 remain. Some of the apartments are in the original Art Deco residence, known as the Mansion House, while two will be in new blocks added onto the building where factory structures have been demolished. In the new and existing buildings the developers promise to use high quality natural materials, such as Portland stone, glass, marble and hardwoods. Interior design packages are available for buyers.
Set in 25 acres of parkland, Charters will have a private spa, with a 50ft swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, gym and snooker room. It is near Sunningdale Golf Club and Ascot and Royal Windsor racecourses. Waterloo station, London, is an hour away; Heathrow airport is 20 minutes' drive away.
