One Palace Green: Inside the restoration of one of London’s last surviving Arts & Crafts properties
Step inside One Palace Green: a magnificent new residential development overlooking Kensington Palace Gardens and one of the capital’s most significant and distinguished surviving Arts & Crafts buildings.
Designed by pioneering architect Philip Webb — often called the father of Arts & Crafts architecture — as a London residence for the artist George Howard, later 9th Earl of Carlisle, and his wife Rosalind, the incredible house was completed in 1870, with further additions in 1874.
Now, more than 150 years later, the imposing Grade II*-listed building has been meticulously restored and returned to its original residential splendour. Spanning 19,200 square feet, the historic mansion occupies a unique 0.25-acre plot at the southern end of Kensington Palace Gardens, and has been transformed into five exceptional apartments and a separate coach house, with prices starting at £15 million. Each has been thoughtfully designed to celebrate and enhance the building’s unique architecture, proportions and heritage.
While highlighting many of its historic features, One Palace Green introduces the standards expected of a contemporary super-prime residence, including five-star concierge and property management, a landscaped private garden and discreet, multi-layered security, secure private parking and a curated selection of branded lifestyle partnerships. Beyond the controlled access to Kensington Palace Gardens itself, security within One Palace Green includes controlled vehicle and pedestrian access, advanced monitoring, on-site professional personnel and additional private entrance and apartment security, creating four discreet levels of protection. The building has also been comprehensively upgraded for modern living, with a state-of-the-art ground-source heating and cooling system providing energy across the entire site, with no gas entering the development.
When it comes to interior design, independent design studio Martin Kemp Design has carefully balanced the original architectural character with contemporary craftsmanship, blending bespoke detailing and modern technology, and successfully bringing the Arts & Crafts spirit into the 21st century. Rather than simply recreating a Victorian interior, the integrity of the property is mirrored through a celebration of craftsmanship, natural materials, beautiful proportions and timeless design.
Throughout the residences, a tonal palette of chalky heritage paint colours, handcrafted ceramic tiles, restored Lincrusta wallcoverings and reinstated architectural detailing sit alongside richly veined natural stone, timber flooring, bespoke cabinetry and finely crafted joinery. Elsewhere, original plaster mouldings, timber panelling and dado rails have also been carefully restored.
The timeless-yet-contemporary approach is particularly notable in the first-floor, three-bedroom show apartment, where grand reception rooms, dual aspects overlooking Kensington Palace and an original restored period fireplace set the scene with style. Inspired by neighbouring Kensington Gardens, the palette draws on moss greens, soft stone and warm earth tones, with tactile linens, textured timbers, handcrafted ceramics and bespoke upholstery creating a cosy, laid-back atmosphere.
The original dining room combined the work of Webb, William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones with aplomb; Morris worked on its decorative scheme, while Burne-Jones created his celebrated Cupid and Psyche canvases, based on the story in Morris’ The Earthly Paradise. The dining room itself survives and has been meticulously revitalised, forming a central focal point of the property. Morris’ decorated ceiling and passages from The Earthly Paradise inscribed around the room have also been painstakingly preserved and restored, bringing one of the house’s most significant and unique historic features back to life. Spanning the ground and lower-ground floors, it is a truly unique feature.
Elsewhere, George Howard’s original studio, in another residence, has been transformed into a spectacular living room with a 15ft ceiling and picture windows overlooking Kensington Palace Gardens. Artwork curated by Daniel Morris Art Advisory includes three paintings by Howard, believed to have been painted during his time at One Palace Green, bringing the building’s original owner back into its newest chapter.
Martin Kemp Design was also responsible for the communal entrance, including a bespoke walnut concierge desk handcrafted by Asplin Whiteley and a contemporary reinterpretation of an historic portrait of George Howard, commissioned in collaboration with Saatchi Art, which introduces Rosalind Howard alongside him.
Architecture has been guided by Pilbrow & Partners, working with conservation architects Donald Insall Associates, with the private garden designed by celebrated landscape architect Randle Siddeley.
Martin Kemp, founder of Martin Kemp Design, says: “The temptation with a building of this significance is to become overly reverential. For us, it was never about recreating a Victorian interior. It was about understanding why Webb and Morris designed in the way they did and translating those values for modern living. When craftsmanship, proportion and materiality become the focus, the result feels timeless rather than historic.
“The challenge with a project of this significance is knowing when to restore, when to reinterpret and when to quietly step back. Our role was never to compete with the architecture, but to continue its story, creating interiors that feel as though they have always belonged while meeting the expectations of contemporary living. The finest heritage projects don’t preserve buildings as museum pieces. They allow them to evolve with sensitivity and integrity, so that another generation can enjoy them in ways that are relevant to modern life.”
Russell Smithers, CEO and co-founder of REDD, concludes: “One Palace Green has all the ingredients that are almost impossible to bring together in London: an extraordinary history, exceptional architecture and a position on Kensington Palace Gardens. The Arts & Crafts philosophy still feels relevant more than 150 years later. We are living in a world where buyers value craftsmanship, authenticity, natural materials and things that have been made to last. Those were the principles behind this house when it was built, and they are just as important to its next chapter. We’ve taken an extraordinary 150-year-old building and made sure it can have an equally extraordinary next 150 years.”
Prices from £15 million, visit onepalacegreen.com
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