“The servant problem solved” was the slogan. Taymount Grange stands before you. It whispers tales of a bygone era.
Taymount Grange is located in Forest Hill. This residential block showcases Art Moderne architecture. It was built in the mid-1930s. It stands on the site of the former Queens Tennis Club.
Let’s delve into the story of this remarkable building. Before Taymount Grange existed, the area was mostly undeveloped countryside. Several factors spurred development in the late 19th century. The enclosure of common land was one factor. The availability of land was another. The development of the railway network played a role. The relocation of the Crystal Palace to Sydenham in 1852 also helped.
In 1810 Sydenham Common was enclosed. The Earl of Dartmouth received 219 acres. He subdivided the land. Some plots were rented to market gardeners. Other plots were developed. The Forest Hill Railway Station opened in the 1840s. It further spurred development.
By the late 19th century, large detached houses dotted the area. One of these houses was called “Taymount.” Newspaper records suggest the house was built between the late 1860s and the 1890s. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Beveridge Todd and their children lived there. Later, the Queen’s Tennis Club acquired it. It served as their clubhouse. Sadly, it was demolished in 1934.
Taymount Grange was built in 1935. George Bertram Carter designed it. He trained at the Royal College of Art. He was a pupil of Edwin Lutyens. Carter also designed Lichfield Court.
Taymount Grange sits atop a hill. This location provided panoramic views. Residents could see the London docks. They could also see the rural edges of suburbia. The building was intended for the middle classes.
Sir Malerham Perks commissioned Taymount Grange. It was envisioned as serviced accommodation. Some flats included units for servants. Porters and domestic help worked here. Residents enjoyed a dining room and a lounge. There was also a terrace and landscaped gardens. A swimming pool, seven tennis courts, and a putting green completed the picture. Taymount Grange was a fashionable address for the upper middle class.
Flats became a commercial enterprise in the 1930s. Service flats were the most exclusive type. They often included small flats. Some were one-bedroomed. Others were bed-sitting rooms. These flats featured elaborate public rooms. Recreational facilities were included. Gymnasia and swimming pools were common. This replicated the accommodation on large ocean liners. Taymount Grange offered exclusive services and facilities.
The original footprint of Taymount Grange remains largely unchanged. The grounds have been reduced. They have been partially developed. After World War II, housing blocks replaced large houses.
Forest Croft was built near Taymount Grange in 1937. Arnold Andre Higuer designed it. Michael Gambon lived in Forest Croft. He was a television, film, and theatre actor. He lived there for four years.
Taymount Rise was once called Queens Road. The name changed in the late 1930s. This avoided confusion with other Queens Roads in London. Taymount Grange stands as a testament to architectural design. It also represents a time of social change. It offered a solution to “the servant problem.” It provided luxurious living for the middle class. As you gaze upon Taymount Grange, imagine the lives of those who lived here. Imagine the tennis matches, the poolside gatherings. Taymount Grange is more than just a building. It is a slice of London’s history.