Description

TQ 1189 ELM PARK ROAD
(south-west side)
1157-/11/10010 Elm Park Court (nos. 1- 76,
and entrance arch)

II

Three blocks of flats linked by arched openings, of different shapes and sizes but similarly detailed and forming a homogeneous group round a central courtyard. 1936 by H V Webb. Rendered brick, green-pantiled hipped roofs and tall white stacks. Nos. 1-34 fon11 a canted U-shaped block, with two-storey ranges either side of V-shaped three-storey centrepieces and with square three-storey pavilions at ends with hipped roofs. The flats are set either side of seven stairwells. The lower ranges with parapets, below which deep pantiled eaves with brackets. A 5-4-6-3-3-3-3-6-4-5 window composition, with original timber windows: those to the upper-storey living rooms deeper and opening on to projecting balconies supported on overscaled timber brackets and with metal railings set over V -shaped balcony fronts which continue a horizontal banding pattern carried across the flats at each storey level. Staircase windows to central door and those in end pavilions rise through two storeys with decorative metal tracery .All entrances in moderne style: double doors with bowed handles set within contrasting black projecting porches with striped decoration. Interiors with timber stairs of some quality and dado panelling.
Nos. 35-52 a rectangular range of three storeys, containing 18 flats reached via three staircases. Pantiled roof with two stacks. The balconies, windows and entrances are identical to those in nos. 1-34. The three entrances all with double-height staircase windows over, that to the centre slightly projecting with protruding parapet.
Nos. 53-76 in rectangular block with projecting ends. Three storeys, with 24 flats arranged in groups of six round four entrances. A symmetrical composition with a hipped roof and paired stacks. The balconies, windows and entrances are identical to those in nos. 1-34. The four entrances all with double-height staircase windows over.
Entrance arch. This sets the colonial character of the development, whilst mirroring the arched openings between each block and making the fourth side of the composition. Rendered brick with pantiled coping that extends to the supporting buttresses set either side. Semi-circular arch for motor vehicles with narrow, round-headed entrances for pedestrians either side.
Elm Park Gardens is recommended as an exuberant example of the colonial or hacienda style in the mid-1930s deemed appropriate for private flats intended for a middle-class community aping a Hollywood lifestyle.

Listing NGR: TQ1150689947

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26552362

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

• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Cornwall (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Berkshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Gloucestershire 1: The Cotswolds: Cotswolds Pt. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook 2 Books Bundle Collection (Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair,Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability)