Wow Look at Nell Gwynn House. This magnificent Art Deco building wasn’t always here. In the 1840s a different house stood on this very spot. That house was home to George Thompson a Member of Parliament. In 1846 a famous American Frederick Douglass visited him here. A blue plaque now marks this significant meeting.
Nell Gwynn House itself is a true marvel. It was completed in 1937. Designed by G Kay Green it’s a ten-storey masterpiece. Its unique W shape maximizes sunlight for its many apartments. The building is also famously Cubist incorporating Egyptian Aztec and Mayan patterns.
Imagine living here in the 1930s. Each apartment had built-in central heating a luxury back then. The building even boasted a restaurant a hairdressing salon and a bar. A 1937 advertisement described it as Chelsea’s smartest building. It offered apartments with private bathrooms and kitchenettes. The building also had a magnificent restaurant and ballroom. There was even a cocktail and snack bar.
Nell Gwynn House has a rich history. It became home to a music club in 1948. Sir Adrian Boult was its president. Famous composers like Ralph Vaughan Williams and Arnold Bax were patrons. The building hosted Sunday concerts for residents and guests.
The building’s fame extends beyond its Art Deco glamour. It housed many notable residents. Among them were Vera Atkins a British intelligence officer during World War II. Frank Foley a Secret Intelligence Service officer who helped Jewish families escape Nazi Germany. Even Roy James one of the Great Train Robbers once lived here. His robbery plans were famously found taped to a ceiling.
Today Nell Gwynn House stands as a testament to a bygone era. It continues to captivate with its unique history. The building’s Art Deco splendor is a beacon of elegance. It’s more than just apartments. It’s a living piece of London’s rich history. The legacy of Nell Gwynn House lives on.