Press Article
EVENING STANDARD - Wednesday, 26 September 2007
LIFE IS GOOD ON THE GREEN
Parsons Green is challenging its posh neighbour, Chelsea, as the place for families, fun and a vibrant café culture, says Anthea Masey
TWO village greens give this area its special character: Parsons Green itself and the larger Eel Brook Common, both situated on the north side of the New Kings Road, the road that provides a direct link with Chelsea.
Parsons Green is one of those areas that is popular with families as well as singles. On a sunny weekend both green spaces are packed with people picnicking, walking the dog, or hanging out at one of the pubs.
On the northern corner of Parsons Green, the White Horse pub — nicknamed the Sloaney Pony after its reputation as a Sloane Ranger hangout — with its large outdoor seating area, wide selection of beers and weekend brunch menu, is the defining institution for the area’s young.
For families lucky enough to be members of the Hurlingham Club, situated in a beautiful Georgian mansion surrounded by 42 acres of private green space between Parsons Green and the Thames, being able to walk there is a big advantage.
Anne Soutry is manager of the Fulham branch of estate agent John D Wood, which is at the very heart of Parsons Green. She says the area’s best houses are to be found on the Peterborough Estate, which is south of the New Kings Road. “These are known locally as the Jimmy Nichols lion houses, after the developer who built them.
“The best streets are Quarendon, Bradbourne and Chipstead along with Perrymead Road. Almost all these houses are now in single family occupation because they are worth more as houses than as flats.”
This is an area where houses have been extended in all directions: into the loft, into the side return and many have had their basements dug out. A fully extended house in tip-top condition now sells for about £3 million and it is rare to find one for less than £2 million.
“The presence of the Hurlingham Club on the river, a few minutes’ walk from Parsons Green, is a big attraction. You can wait years for membership, but if you are already a member having a house near the club means you can use the facilities all the time. It is wonderful for families with older children because parents feel safe leaving them there.
“The semi-detached houses in the avenues Napier, Ranelagh and Edenhurst are popular with members of the Hurlingham Club. The starting price is about £2 million. Rivermead Court, a large block of mansion flats overlooking the river near the club is also popular. We get families selling up their Kensington home to move here. The most expensive flats are those with views over the club and river and cost more than £2 million. Even an unmodernised flat is about £700,000.
“Cheaper alternatives are the four bedroom houses off Munster Road, which sell for £800,000 plus, and flats, which start at about £250,000 for a studio; £300,000 for a one-bedroom flat.
Overlooking Parsons Green, there are five fine Georgian houses with their names — Sefton, Cradley, Belgrave Albyn and Rosslyn — written on large white stucco panels over the doors. Cradley is on the market with John D Wood for £2.25 million.
The area is attracting the attention of property search agents, too. Jo Eccles of Sourcing Property says her firm is seeing a big demand for houses in Parsons Green. “It is an area in its own right with a number of independent boutiques, a variety of cafés and restaurants and a good choice of pubs and bars such as Aragon House and the champagne bar, Amuse Bouche.
“Its village feel, rising café culture and range of shops, together with its proximity to the City on the District line, means it is appealing to people of all ages, from young professionals to senior City executives with families.
“Property in Parsons Green is still cheaper than in Chelsea; buyers pay about £900 a square foot in Parsons Green compared with up to £1,500 a square foot in Chelsea.”