Forum Topic

Acton architecture history

This has always intrigued me.  (Image next thread)It's where Spencer Road and Sheakspeare Road meet.   Acton architecture  The two buildings on the corner, are obviously similar, but the rest of the road left and right, is entirely smaller terraced houses.So the two on the corner each have a curious 'chopped in half' look about them. No other buildings in the area of a similar style either.Anyone know how anomalies like this happen/happened?

Fred Bray ● 5977d16 Comments

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Fred Bray ● 5977d

Anyone know how anomalies like this happen/happened?I grew up around there and I seem to remember there is a legitimate reason. Could be a bombing...or perhaps deliberate architecture...I think the Ferris Brothers were major builders in that area??

T Beme ● 5977d

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Fred Bray ● 5977d

Builder had ambitions but ran out of money, perhaps?Google maps is a great way to study local architecture without looking suspicious.

Ian M Green ● 5977d

Victorian and Edwardian builders were often small firms who would buy building leases from the freeholder (generally Goldsmiths Company or Church in this area), and build a few houses at a time to their own design. The freeholder would often attempt to dictate the value of the house through the lease ‘not less than £x (rental) per annum’. This was to ensure quality and therefore value.  Small builders were vulnerable and quite often went bust. The new builder would vary the design according to what might rent or sell best. Hence the wide variety of building types and styles in Poets  Corner. As to the buildings mentioned I would guess they were a builders first on a plot making a grand statement at the start of the road. Perhaps they proved too expensive, leading to the two storey neighbours. I think the wide variety of houses in Poets Corner adds to its attraction!

Iain Muir ● 5977d

And if you continue walking along Spencer Rd to Woodhurst road there is an even greater anomaly!  Quite a striking one which I like, you cannot see it in google though as those pictures are too old now.

Jen Morty ● 5977d

" And if you continue walking along Spencer Rd to Woodhurst road there is an even greater anomaly!  "     For sale already! Yours for 695!   Location, Location, LocActon,   

Fred Bray ● 5891d

Sorry to be controversial - but I really like this building.

Richard Grange ● 5891d

Watched this being built........Love it !!

Ellie Rose ● 5891d

It's fab.  Surprised there are only 3 bedrooms.

Jen Morty ● 5891d

  Location, Location, LocActon, (2) 

Fred Bray ● 5891d

I wish my back garden was like that,  I despair of mine!

Jen Morty ● 5891d

Thanks for the view, Fred. Walking past, although the outside appearance is elegant, I suspected it was yet another open-plan design by a cloth-eared architect.Open areas, wooden floor, minimal sound absorption. Aaargh (quietly).

Ian M Green ● 5891d

No 'For Sale' sign outside as yet(Monday), I just spotted the pic in the estate agents window as I walked past.Great looking building, shame about the shabby flats next door.

Fred Bray ● 5891d

Our house was built first by the developer - semi detached: one half for the architect we were told, the other side for the builder.Consequently we have none of the decorative embellishments of our neighbours on the outside and have a wholly plain exterior which I quite like.

Sara Nathan ● 5890d

Yes I was thinking of those shabby flats as well which may well put some buyers off.  But that is the "charm" of Acton better off and not so well off mingling!  Always seems to be a poor pooch stuck up on the balcony there as well (although he looks well kept and well behaved).

Jen Morty ● 5890d