1 Priory Gardens, home of The Victorian Society
1 Priory Gardens in Chiswick, West London, is the headquarters of the UK conservation and amenity charity, The Victorian Society. The Society works to protect Victorian and Edwardian buildings from destruction and demolition and inappropriate change, safeguarding precious cultural heritage for future generations. They campaign for more sustainability in the construction industry, with the sensitive reuse of historic buildings to generate lower carbon emissions, rather than demolition and rebuild. Their intervention has saved many landmark buildings from destruction including St Pancras station in London and the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool.
When they embarked on their own renovation project in April 2019, it was important that as a listed building all refurbishment was in keeping where possible, to reflect the history of this fine building and the conservation area in which it sits. Originally built in 1880 by the developer Jonathan Carr, 1 Priory Gardens was part of the Bedford Park garden suburb development. Designed by architect EJ May, who was heavily involved in the Aesthetic Movement of the time, the stunning property is of the Queen Anne Revival style, built in yellow brick with 3-stories, a Dutch gable and Oriel window.
Sourcing appropriate materials to reflect the age and aesthetic of this property was important to the Society. J & JW Longbottom supplied the cast iron rainwater goods, including a soil pipes, rainwater pipes and guttering, completing the job with a specially adapted No.42 hopper head.
