Wharfedale Street, Chelsea, SW15

This Chelsea townhouse has been rebuilt under the direction of Italian architect Fabrizio Sabbatini of Valor Architects.

Behind its Victorian façade, the house was stripped back and reconstructed over a twenty four month period. The owners wanted to retain and restore the original architecture, while rebuilding the structure properly. What followed was a bespoke programme of works, to include reinforced foundations, new roofing and the replacement of all core systems throughout.

The architectural approach is consistent. Original elements like the staircase, fireplaces and brickwork have been restored by hand, along with Victorian style window railings on the ground floor windowsills (street facing), while the rest of the house has been rebuilt to a standard rarely seen in properties of this type.

At lower ground level, the space has been opened and reworked to form a practical kitchen and dining area, centred around a Poggenpohl kitchen with Gaggenau appliances. This level is supported by a bespoke plant room, created through excavation and structural works to house the properties technical systems.

Italian marble is featured in some of the bathrooms, with underfloor heating throughout, the house is tied together by oak parquet flooring and consistent, well executed joinery, much of which has been designed and manufactured in Italy.

A conservatory extends the footprint, built around a custom mosaic floor replicated from an original Victorian design.

The garden has been reworked with reclaimed brick planters, stone paving Cathedral grade reclaimed Yorkstone sourced from demolished Churches, and integrated lighting, creating a space that sits comfortably with the house.

Planning permission has been secured for a mansard roof extension of approx. 40 sq.m, The consent allows for further accommodation to be added without the need to revisit planning.

Houses completed in this way, and to this standard, rarely come to market.