Hillfield Court

Hillfield Court is a famous art deco residential mansion block in Belsize Park, in the London Borough of Camden, built in 1932. It is located off Belsize Avenue and can also be accessed from Glenloch Road. It is one of the many purpose built mansion blocks on Haverstock Hill between Chalk Farm and Hampstead. It is close to the amenities near Belsize Park tube station, as well as the shops of Belsize Village, South End Green and Hampstead.

History

Hillfield Court sits on what was once a large country estate known as the Belsize Estate. The first recorded building on the site of what today is Hillfield Court was built in around 1646. It was known as the "Blue House" and was one of many rural abodes in the area belonging to wealthy merchants, who wanted a country residence within easy reach of London. The Blue House was accessed directly from Haverstock Hill. Little is known about the residents of the Blue House but evidence suggests that in 1650 it was occupied by one John Mascall and in 1679 by Thomas Butler. Between 1761 and 1773, the house was rebuilt and extended by merchant William Horsley.

In 1808, the Belsize Estate was split into 9 leasehold estates. The Hillfield leasehold, as well as the adjoining Belsize House leasehold (around 19 acres in total) were bought by James Abel. [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/image.aspx?compid=22638&filename=fig09.gif]

In 1841 Basil Woodd, a Bond Street brandy merchant bought the lease from Abel, a 19 acre estate set within the boundaries of Belsize Avenue, Belsize Park Gardens and Belsize Grove. By this time, the area to the west of Haverstock Hill was dotted with many country abodes. The former "Blue House" had by this stage been renovated, modernised and renamed "Heathfield House", a stuccoed 6-bedroom house with a library. Woodd acquired the freehold of the land in 1857 and sometime between 1864 and 1867 he built another house on the south end of the estate for his son Robert Ballard Woodd - This house was called Woodlands. Whilst Woodlands was demolished in 1901 to make way for higher density housing, Hillfield House remained until 1928 when it was demolished. The land and the freehold were then sold to Hillfield Estates, owned by property developer Colonel Griggs. [ [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=22638 Hampstead - Belsize | British History Online ] ]

Griggs took on the project of redeveloping the site to cater for the high demand for mansion blocks. The main project on the site was the construction of Hillfield Court, so named in commemoration of the grand house that had previously stood on the site. The building project also involved the construction of two other mansion blocks - Tudor Close to the back of the estate; and, on Haverstock Hill, Hillfield Mansions. The latter building incorporated the first Odeon cinema in London, since demolished and replaced by the highly regarded Screen on the Hill cinema. The destruction of the house and the development of the estate were met with some local opposition, however, from its inception Hillfield Court was considered a very prestigious block, not least because of its magnificent, spacious gardens.

During the Second World War a big barrage balloon was anchored on the Hillfield Court lawn. Royal Air Force personnel were housed in a ground floor flat ready to launch the balloon when necessary. These large, airborne barriers protected important installations against low-level air attack. [www.hillfieldcourt.co.uk]

Each flat was originally rented out on a five year lease until 1969 when inflation saw tenants for the first time being given the opportunity to purchase their flats on a 99 year lease. However the freehold of Hillfield Court was placed in the hands of managing agents for the first time in the mid 1970s. According to various residents, the death of owner and builder Colonel Griggs brought the shattering realisation that Hillfield Court would have to be sold - unfortunately, to “unscrupulous experts at asset stripping” [Hillfield Court newsletter, 1998] . The twenty one flats that had not been previously sold to tenants were now sold with the intention of building townhouses with garages and an access road on the much loved gardens.

Fighting back vigorously, the Residents Association organised speeches, TV interviews and meetings with Camden Council in the hope of saving their garden. Eventually this did prevail – a preservation order was placed on every tree. Camden council had refused the company permission to build and the residents were elated.

By 1985 residents had ensured that the landlord’s potential for making money was small. Hillfield Court Limited was formed and 80 residents became the new shareholders of the block. While the management of Hillfield Court has experienced many highs and lows, the residents have always been very proud of their block with its high level of community spirit. The Hillfield Court Residents Group meet monthly to discuss the running of the block. At present, the interior communal areas are undergoing renovation.

Notable former residents

Although no blue plaque appears on the building, Hillfield Court has been home to many interesting and famous people over the years. These include actress Diana Wynyard, author Barnaby Williams, novelist Kay Dick and the photographer Bill Brandt. The wet-stamp of many of Brandt's photos reads "Bill Brandt, 58 Hillfield Court, Belsize Avenue, NW3" and have sold at Christies for many thousands of pounds. Additionally,directors of many films as well as one of the leading actresses in the West End Musical Miss Saigon have also lived there.

References