The eight-bedroom, Grade II Listed property, Fairwood, designed by famed British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, on Ingram Avenue in London’s Hampstead Garden Suburb was originally built for the McKenna Midland Bank dynasty and previously owned by Saudi Royal family.
The home, which offers 11,066 sq ft of light bathed accommodation is set in a magnificent, 0.6 acre, double plot with landscaped gardens backing directly onto Turners Wood. In an area home to many notable residents, and within walking distance to Hampstead Heath Extension, this imposing residence is for sale via joint sole agents Aston Chase and Arlington Residential.
With an illustrious history that combines Royalty, aristocracy, noted political figures and captains of industry, Fairwood, originally built in 1935 and rebuilt behind the original façade in 2006, provides luxurious accommodation over garden, ground and two upper floors. It includes a dramatic triple height galleried entrance hall, three reception rooms, library, family room, kitchen/breakfast room, study, eight bedrooms (all ensuite), cinema/games room, gymnasium and double garage. The property backs onto Turners Wood, a seven-acre private bird sanctuary.
The previous owners of Fairwood commissioned award-winning architects, Charlton Brown Architecture and Interiors, who prepared a scheme for an outstanding leisure complex of 5,100 sq ft beneath the rear garden area. The plans envisage a large swimming pool with jacuzzi and lounging area, sauna, treatment rooms, Hammam, changing/shower facilities, bar area, home cinema, four car garage and staff accommodation comprising two bedrooms, bathroom, living room and independent kitchen.
Ingram Avenue is one of the most desirable streets in North West London and current notable neighbours, in the area, of Fairwood include British comedian Michael McIntyre and television presenter duo, married couple, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
Fairwood can trace its origins back to 1935 when Reginald McKenna (1863-1943), Chairman of Midland Bank (1919-1943) and a senior Liberal politician (served as Home Secretary and Chancellor under Prime Minister Herbert Asquith) commissioned legendary British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens to build Fairwood as a wedding present for his recently married son David McKenna (1911-2003) and his new daughter-in-law Lady Cecelia Keppel, daughter of the ninth Earl of Albermarle.
Reginald McKenna had previously used Sir Edwin Lutyens to build him the Midland Bank headquarters in the City of London (1921-1939) – now the Ned Hotel – and Reginald’s own London mansion at 36 Smith Square (1911).
Lutyens designed Fairwood with a magnificent symmetrical five-window wide front façade in silver-grey bricks with red brick dressings with architectural detailing including a tiled hip roof, shallow red brick niches to the outer bays, two tall feature chimneys and a central doorcase topped with swan’s neck pediment and moulded cornice. Each side of the house includes a single storey extension, both complemented by a bull’s eye window to the front.
When Fairwood was completed the McKenna family celebrated with a house party attended by Reginald McKenna, his wife Pamela, the niece of landscape architect Gertrude Jekyll, Walter Keppel, the 9th Earl of Albermarle, Countess Margot Asquith, Princess Elizabeth Bibesco, the socialite daughter of Herbert Asquith, and Anthony Asquith, the noted film director, famous for Pygmalion (1938) starring Leslie Howard.
It was at Fairwood that David and Lady Cecelia raised their three daughters and where David, who joined London Transport in 1934 and rose to board director, reviewed his plans for the Victoria Underground Line development (opened in 1968). In the early 1960s, with their daughters grown, David and Lady Cecelia downsized to an apartment in Kylestrom House, Westminster, and Fairwood was purchased by the Saudi Royal family who owned the house until 2002.
The house was then purchased by new owners who extended and rebuilt the property behind its original façade in 2006, creating a home perfect for twenty-first century living, whilst ensuring that the layout remained loyal to Lutyen’s original designs.
Behind the sweeping carriage driveway and exquisite exterior, the ground floor encompasses a dramatic, triple height, galleried reception hall framed by interconnecting sitting room, dining room and 36 ft drawing room and library. The ground floor rooms are predominantly rear facing, with sash windows and patio doors affording views and access to the landscaped gardens.
The custom built, glass roofed, kitchen and adjoining breakfast room/orangery (with sliding roof), has a sizeable walk-in cold store. There is an adjacent family room, a study with skylight and two guest cloakrooms. The house benefits from high ceilings with most of the main rooms on the ground floor enjoying heights in excess of 3.3 metres and some rising to well over 4 metres.
The first floor provides the principal bedroom suite with his and her bathrooms and twin walk-in dressing rooms. There are three further bedroom suites on the first floor and a laundry room. The second floor has four additional bedroom suites and extensive storage.
The garden floor has a 34 ft games room/cinema room with a kitchen area and outdoor patio access, gymnasium, integral double garage, guest cloakroom/bathroom and a large storage area.
The beautifully landscaped gardens have the added benefit of direct access to Turners Wood ancient woodland and bird sanctuary. The beauty of Turners Wood is enhanced by a small stream that flows through it, and there are a variety of indigenous trees, such as majestic oaks and beeches, as well as a wonderful variety of flora and fauna that has remained untouched and wild. In the springtime, the floor of the wood is covered with a carpet of bluebells. The Wood is only available to a limited number of neighbouring properties who enjoy direct access to this sanctuary.
Ingram Avenue is located within walking distance to Hampstead Heath Extension, Hampstead Heath and Kenwood, with Hampstead High Street and Highgate Village being equidistant at approximately 2.2 kilometres. Additionally, London Underground stations (Northern Line-Edgware Branch) are available in both Golders Green & Hampstead.
Marc Schneiderman, Principal of Arlington Residential says: “With an illustrious history that combines Royalty, aristocracy, noted political figures and captains of industry, Fairwood is a landmark property on a remarkable plot. The property also benefits from partially implemented plans for substantial additional accommodation provide an outstanding opportunity for a discerning purchaser to create an exceptional leisure complex and in doing so significantly enhance the capital value. The proposed leisure complex would require updated planning permission and Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust approval.”
Mark Pollack, Co-Founding Director of Aston Chase says: “Fairwood is a truly exceptional residence likely to appeal to both UK domestic and international purchasers alike. The close proximity of elite North London schools such as UCH, Henrietta Barnett, Highgate and Channing along with the 800 acres of Hampstead Heath are also compelling attractions.”
Fairwood is for sale with a guide price of £12,500,000, for the freehold interest, and further information can be obtained from the joint sole selling agents Aston Chase on Tel: +44 (0)207 724 4724/ www.astonchase.com and Arlington Residential (St John’s Wood) on Tel: +44 (0)207 722 3322 / www.arlingtonresidential.com
