Lichfield Court Explained

Lichfield Court
Location:Sheen Road, Richmond, London TW9 1AU, England
Built:1935
Built For:George Broadbridge
Architect:Bertram Carter
Architecture:Streamline Moderne
Designation1:Grade II Listed Building
Designation1 Offname:1–211 Lichfield Court and 1–17 Lichfield Terrace
Designation1 Date:27 January 2004

Lichfield Court, on Sheen Road in Richmond, London, consists of two Grade II listed purpose-built blocks of flats. Designed by Bertram Carter and built in fine Streamline Moderne style, it was completed in 1935.

Lichfield House

Lichfield Court is built on the site of Lichfield House, named when the London residence of the Bishop of Lichfield.[1] Wealthy sugar factor Henry Lascelles (1690–1753) bought the house and died there by suicide.[2] Novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1837–1915), lived there from before 1874 until her death.[3] The house was described in 1907 as a "grand old red brick building with a beautiful formal garden".[4] Sir Henry George Norris was the final resident.[2] The house and grounds were acquired in 1933 by George Broadbridge and redeveloped into the present two blocks of flats.

Design

The company estate office and porters' office are situated in the main lobby of the major block. The buildings are surrounded by estate grounds which are a mix of gardens and unallocated parking, the major block having a decorative inner courtyard garden and pond. Initially intended for the rental market, the flats conformed to six different types ranging from studio flats with no alcove, to studio flats with one alcove or two alcoves, and one to three-bedroom flats, some with balconies.

Listed status

The buildings were awarded Grade II listing in January 2004. The Twentieth Century Society reported the listing, saying:

Popular culture

Lichfield Court was used as a filming location in the TV adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel One, Two, Buckle My Shoe.[5]

External links

51.4614°N -0.3008°W

Notes and References

  1. Book: A History of the County of Surrey: Volume 3 . 533–546 . H. E. . Malden . Henry Elliot Malden. 1911 . London . 17 December 2023. Lichfield House in Sheen Road, so called after the bishop who once resided there, is now occupied by Mrs. Maxwell (Miss Braddon) and her son Mr. W. B. Maxwell .
  2. Web site: [Lichfield House, Richmond upon Thames.] Nine indentures, deeds, and other property documents, including one signed by novelist Mary Elizabeth Braddon and her son, another by her husband William Babbington Maxwell, and one by Sir Henry George Norris. ]. Richard Ford. 13 October 2016.
  3. Web site: Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1837–1915) . Local History Notes . . 8 July 2016. 17 December 2023.
  4. Book: D'Anvers, N. The royal manor of Richmond with Petersham, Ham and Kew . 1907 . G. Bell. London . 81 . 13 October 2016.
  5. Web site: One Two Buckle My Shoe . On location with Poirot! . TV Locations U.K. . 28 February 2014.