Chelsea Insider Low - Cadogan

22 | INSIDER | Buildings & architectureThe Insider’s Guideto buildings andarchitectureBy Hugh Seaborn, chiefexecutive of Cadogan, whichrepresents extensive Cadoganfamily land holdingsin Chelsea. These date back to1712, when Sir Hans Sloanepurchased the Manor ofChelsea and Charles, 2nd BaronCadogan, subsequently marriedhis daughter Elizabeth Sloanein 1717Duke ofYork SquarePeter Jones, Sloane SquareI would start at the top of Peter Jones,enjoying a coffee while drinking in theview from its picture windows. On theway in, wonder at the statement madeby the building, built in the 1930s onan impressive scale. Look at its sizecompared to everything around it.The confidence it conveys is reflectedin the pioneering use of curtain walling.This is where the John Lewis workers’cooperative began.Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane TerraceA two-minute walk away in SloaneTerrace is the hidden gem of CadoganHall. This concert hall, open to the public,was converted with great sensitivity froma Church of Christ, Scientist. It wasoriginally built by Robert Chisholm intwo sections, and was finished in 1907.Above all, look at the windows,which were designed by Baron vonRosenkrantz with beautiful, rich colours.Holy Trinity Church,Sloane StreetOn the way back, walking south onCadogan HallSloane Street, you will pass theHoly Trinity Church designed by JohnSedding, where you can marvel at thepeace just off this busy shopping street,and again drink in the stained glasswindows with the light behind them.Duke of York Square,King’s RoadFrom here it is less than five minutes tothe Duke of York Square, opposite PeterJones. There is much to see, but I wouldstart with the Saatchi Gallery, which wasoriginally a home for soldiers’ childrenbuilt in the first years of the 19th centuryby John Sanders. The connection withchildren continues today as you willfrequently see children from Hill HouseSchool on the playing fields in front ofthe gallery. The buildings were so wellconverted by Paul Davis and Partnersthat it feels as though it was designedfor its present use.Royal Hospital Chelsea,Royal Hospital RoadNo visit to Chelsea for someoneinterested in buildings is complete untilyou have enjoyed the Royal Hospital,designed by Christopher Wren in thelate 17th century. It is extraordinarythat these wonderful buildings are stillused for the same purpose they weredesigned for, more than 300 years ago.The Chelsea Pensioners add to thedignity and elegance in their smart,scarlet uniforms.Cadogan SquareFinally, if you have the energy left,I would suggest taking a walk aroundCadogan Square and look at the varietyof gables. Imagine the confidence of theVictorians building these mansions fortheir successful merchants in place ofthe small Georgian houses that hadbeen there for 100 years previously.Number 52 on the west side of thesquare may particularly catch your eye.It was designed in 1885 by Sir ErnestGeorge and is rich in the styles of theFlemish and German Renaissance. It isa private house, so you cannot go in, butthe external details alone justify the visit.