Architects restore Sundridge Park’s regal splendour
The design of a property scheme is often guided by the prevailing architecture and styles of the immediate area - new-build housing developments may adopt similar brickwork to the houses nearby, while apartment buildings often compliment the height of neighbouring properties. However at Sundridge Park in Kent, Millgate Homes is successfully adapting to the designs of a far more prestigious locale than is normally encountered. A Grade 1 listed mansion house influenced by John Nash, set within landscaped grounds designed by Humphry Repton, provides the stunning backdrop for Millgate’s latest scheme - a combination of new-build townhouses and apartment buildings as well as a refurbished Victorian coach-house which will contain five new homes.
The Sundridge Park estate features an idyllic mansion house set within sweeping parkland and gardens which include two 18-hole championship golf courses. To address the esteemed status of the architects who previously made their mark at Sundridge Park, Millgate Homes asked eminent neo-classical architect Robert Adam to design a scheme which draws upon the unmistakable historic charm of the site whilst providing the ultimate in modern luxury living.
According to Robert Adam “The idea is not to copy the past but to develop and improve upon it. It is about taking classic design and marrying it with how people wish to live their life today”. With previous work including The Sackler Library in Oxford, 198-202 Piccadilly in London and the British School in Rome, as well as the new design and restoration of numerous country house estates, Adam and his team were the ideal choice for the project.
The mansion and grounds of Sundridge Park were originally developed in partnership by John Nash and Humphry Repton at the turn of the 19th Century. Nash is responsible for some of London’s most noted landmarks including Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, whilst Repton originally coined the phrase ‘landscape gardener’ to describe his own work and was a pioneer in the field. Sundridge Park provides a classic example of their work. Nash’s mansion house, including classic pillar and dome features, is complimented perfectly by Repton’s sweeping lawns and terraced gardens.
Millgate Homes intend to recreate the vision that Repton had for his landscape work, believing that property and the natural environment should compliment each other to form an exclusive lifestyle. The new-build element of the site sits perfectly at the top of Repton’s terraced gardens offering wonderful green views, whilst careful refurbishment of the former mansion coach house brings the past to life with a series of attractive original features. The sense of luxury is present in an elite hotel-style concierge service and an exclusive private spa complex. Kitchens will be designed by Mark Wilkinson who has created a new collection named ‘The Sundridge’ to mark his involvement with the development.
With quality local schools and shopping nearby, Sundridge Park is well located, when residents do wish to leave their parkland oasis. Trains from nearby Elmstead Woods reach Charing Cross in just over 20 minutes, whilst the M25 motorway, as well as Gatwick, Heathrow and London City airports, are all within easy reach.
Prices for homes at Sundridge Park currently range from £900,000 to £5million. For further information visit Sundridge-park.co.uk.
