History in Structure

Highsett and Front Retaining Wall

A Grade II Listed Building in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

We don't have any photos of this building yet. Why don't you be the first to send us one?

Upload Photo »

Approximate Location Map
Large Map »

Coordinates

Latitude: 52.1959 / 52°11'45"N

Longitude: 0.1311 / 0°7'52"E

OS Eastings: 545755

OS Northings: 257439

OS Grid: TL457574

Mapcode National: GBR L7H.9Z6

Mapcode Global: VHHK9.725F

Plus Code: 9F4254WJ+9C

Entry Name: Highsett and Front Retaining Wall

Listing Date: 22 December 1998

Grade: II

Source: Historic England

Source ID: 1246829

English Heritage Legacy ID: 471982

ID on this website: 101246829

Location: Newtown, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2

County: Cambridgeshire

District: Cambridge

Electoral Ward/Division: Petersfield

Parish: Non Civil Parish

Built-Up Area: Cambridge

Traditional County: Cambridgeshire

Lieutenancy Area (Ceremonial County): Cambridgeshire

Church of England Parish: Cambridge St Paul

Church of England Diocese: Ely

Tagged with: Housing development

Find accommodation in
Cambridge

Description


TL 4557 HILLS ROAD
(East side)
667/17/10088
Nos. 1A-37 Highsett and
Front retaining wall

II


Block of 31 flats, six maisonettes and garages front retaining wall. 1958-60 by Eric Lyons for Span Developments Ltd; Z Pick engineer; Leslie Bilsby, builder. Brick cross-wall construction with concrete floors, mostly tile hung. Flat roof over broad cornice. The group set in a courtyard plan mirroring that of the traditional Cambridge colleges, but with openings in the east, west and north-west comer elevations where the upper floors are supported on pilotis. The views through to the rear garden, though now with semi open screens and gates, are an important part of the composition. Three storeys. The north elevation has the maisonettes set over the garages, the other elevations with flats of various sizes; the first and second floor plans the same, and at these levels the east and west elevations mirror each other. Timber and UPVC windows set in continuous bands, an irregular pattern of side casements and pivoted toplights; deeper living room windows with transoms, Mineral board fascias. Open stairwells with some timber louvred screens designed for drying clothes.
INTERIORS: not inspected. Front of site with attached walls of dark brick, slit openings within them. now with bars, and original slate nameplate.
The first element built in a larger scheme, and the only one constructed as intended in the 1958 brief Eric Lyons and Geoffrey Townshend had worked together in private practice until in 1954 Townshend set himself up as a developer specialising in sensitive infil sites, with Lyons as his architect and Bilsby the builder. At a time when most speculative housing was of poor quality , they established an enviable reputation with a style that was humane, appropriate to its setting and beautifully planted. As important were the tenant management companies they set up, then an innovation and which has seen their schemes maintained in perfect condition. Above all, they established a standard of high quality , well detailed housing at moderate cost which was highly successful and widely influential. Most of their best known work is in London's southern suburbs; Highsett is of special interest for its courtyard plan and careful relationship between the flats and their setting. It is also one of their most asymmetrical and architectural compositions. 'At Highsett Eric Lyons and Span Developments have attempted to show, with a phased development of courts, the continued validity of the 'collegiate' plan for domestic purposes' (The Builder). 'Like Pimlico's Cubitt, or Nash, or Ralph Allen, seeing a situation, (Lyons) both exploited it to his own advantage and solved it to the general advantage. As with those earlier men the client's taste was a given factor of the first importance, not an irrelevancy to be wooed by the architect' (Architectural Review). 'Highsett so far displays all the best Span qualities: a firm outline and clear definition of spaces; well-planned flats ...and a pleasantly relaxed use of materials' (Cambridge New Architecture). Included as one of their best works from their most creative period, and as their best work outside London.
Source (Architectural Review: February 1959: 108-120; The Builder: 21 January 1961; 114; Architectural Design; May 1962: 234; Architect and Building News: 28 September 1960: 404-409; Housing Review: November-December 1960: 186-88; Nicholas Taylor: Cambridge New Architecture, second edition: Cambridge: 1964-1965; 78-79).


Listing NGR: TL4557357620

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

BritishListedBuildings.co.uk is an independent online resource and is not associated with any government department. All government data published here is used under licence. Please do not contact BritishListedBuildings.co.uk for any queries related to any individual listed building, planning permission related to listed buildings or the listing process itself.

British Listed Buildings is a Good Stuff website.