Step into the world of North House. A grand staircase awaits. It’s a honey-coloured marble masterpiece. Green marble insets adorn the risers. Wrought metal balustrade panels add elegance. This isn’t just any staircase. It’s a time capsule. It whispers tales of the 1930s.
North House stands proudly. It’s one of four terraced townhouses. Oliver Hill designed them in 1929-32. The architect blended Queen Anne style with surrounding Georgian and Edwardian buildings. North House’s red brick and Portland stone detailing are striking. So are its three-storey structure and ashlar-clad basement. Dormer windows light up the attic space. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a testament to architectural ingenuity.
Originally Mr and Mrs Robert Hudson MP resided here. They commissioned the opulent interiors. The house was more conservative than its neighbour Gayfere House. Yet it still boasts a spectacular grand staircase. The architectural press covered the interiors in detail. They were a reflection of Art Deco fashions. The building showcased Hill’s use of surface treatments. He created illusions of luxury and glamour.
The interior has been altered since the 1930s. Some of the original features remain though. These include the arch-headed double door. It opens into a split-level entrance hall. A short flight of steps rises to the main level. An alcove is in the facing wall. Two large engaged columns add to the grandeur. They’re made of Bianco del Mare marble. A short hallway leads to a former dining room. It retains its almost flush fire surround. The staircase continues to the first floor. There you will find the former drawing-room. Its bolection-moulded stone fire surround is a key feature.
In 1949-50 the Crown Agents converted North House to office use. Further works followed in the 1970s. The Crown Agents vacated in 1981. The freehold was sold in 1983. More significant alterations happened in the mid-1980s. Then in the early 2000s office interiors were stripped out. Ian Ritchie Architects redefined the modern office space in 2010. They preserved the 1930s form. They integrated modern services seamlessly.
North House is more than a building. It’s a living story. A story of architectural innovation. A story of changing times. It’s a story that continues to unfold. It’s a place where history and modernity intertwine. A place to experience and remember. A place called North House.