Kenwood is back on the market, and with it the chance to assess the latest post-renovation incarnation.
New windows, and substantial landscaping "pokery":
The entrance hall, and the first time I've seen the staircase, which has survived since the house was built circa 1913:
This whole area, once part of the kitchen, has been opened out to create more space:
The living room: original wood panelling still intact, as are the fireplace and the door through to the dining room, but the roof beams have gone:
Through to the dining room, which remains fundamentally the same as ever, decor notwithstanding. Note the door leading to the sunroom/kitchen area:
On the other side of the living room is the small sitting room, again recognisable, despite the new window and door:
The view from the sunroom, down to where the covered swimming pool now does squat at the bottom of the garden:
Asking price? 15 million pounds. It should be remembered that Kenwood has no listed status, and whoever buys it would, in theory, be able to "do a Kinnie" (ie demolish it in order to build another, even bigger house), something happening more and more often on St George's Hill these days. Which is slightly worrying, I suppose.
More to follow.
Sean.....let's buy it!!
ReplyDeleteThe powerball lotto is 181 million in my area. If I win I will buy it and redo it as it was in John's time.
ReplyDeleteIf we can get a million Beatle fans to chip in £15 each...
ReplyDeleteI think whoever buys Kenwood should invite a few lucky individuals to stay the night, preferably readers and the owner of this site - Sean. They could soak up the Kenwood-Lennon atmosphere, dream of John doing this thang at home, lie in the rattan sofa in the Sunroom (now called Morning Room) reading a copy of the International Times and sit on 'John's Perch' overlooking the garden while humming the tune to "I am the Walrus" ..then go back inside and drink a glass of milk (minus the tooth ache) and eventually roll a jazz cigarette from the tin and sit outside watching the sunset over St.George's Hill... thinking "Why didn't the owners build an oudoor swimming pool where the old one was? Why didn't they install a replica Magic Eye too?!" and the rings of smoke and the aroma of herb fill the air at the rear of Kenwood.
ReplyDeleteOh, incidentally, whoever buys it should install a sliding wooden gate too at the entrance to the driveway.
I'm liking Ray's thoughts. Count me in.
ReplyDeleteThe lotto I was talking about, it's at 212 Million dollars.
ReplyDeleteSo, I will also be looking for any original Kenwood household stuff that I can buy to put back in the house ;) It's fun to dream anyway.