Left empty and criminally deteriorating are these fine early Victorian mansions on Windsor Walk, right next to Denmark Hill railway station, London SE5.
As far as I can make out, the properties are owned by either the Maudsley and/or King’s College Hospital, or by Southwark council and they’ve been officially empty for over a decade while the owners decide what to do with them.
The street in better days, seen in this view c.1900. The area was popular with German immigrants – look down the street and you can just make out the sloping roof of the Lutheran chapel (above the delivery cart).
The buildings were looked after by squatters for several years before they were thrown out into the streets some time in February 2006, and since then these attractive Victorian homes have been left to slowly rot away.
Boasting solid Victorian Italianate architecture, these houses would have formed part of an affluent middle class neighbourhood.
Broken and boarded up windows.
Parts of the buildings are open to the elements, with roof tiles missing and broken windows, with the guttering blocked with moss.
This early Victorian villa was clearly once a very attractive family home.
A last look at the street.
The removed hoarding panel to the left suggests that perhaps squatters have moved back in – let’s hope so, because without some care and attention, these fine buildings are surely heading for demolition to be replaced by some bland – but no doubt highly profitable – ‘luxury lifestyle’ apartments.
Or, even better, maybe the NHS (or whoever it is that’s sitting on these buildings) will finally get their wasteful arses into gear and incorporate them into the nearby hospital or open them up for housing.
The owners of these buildings should be utterly ashamed of themselves.
Find out more and discuss the buildings here.
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A walk down Petticoat Lane Market, London E1
Police evict Brixton Clifton Mansions in early morning operation
Cirencester Town disused railway station – Victorian Gothic stuck in a car park
Derelict house on Coldharbour Lane. Is this Brixton’s longest abandoned house?
I’ve passed this row many times, and often wondered how one would go about purchasing one and restoring it to its former glory? I’d hate to see them knocked down and for ugly new-builds to turn up in their place.
Surely all it takes is a buyer of one — or more — to start the process off? I’m sure they’d be highly sought-after, but at the moment it just looks incredibly daunting.
Give me a million, and I’ll certainly have a go myself 😉
I vaguely recall reading about these on a forum months ago. I wish I could remember which one. I think they are owned by King’s College University though it may be the hospital, who havn’t done much with them for years. The thread even had a member who emailed the man in charge of estates who said they were to be imminenetly renovated. That’s been said for years though. Such a waste.
There was workmen inside removing the overgrowth over the buildings today, hopefully a good sign that something is going to be made of them (allow me to be optimistic!).
its so heart breaking to see what was a row of wonderful houses I use to walk pass them on my way to school as a child please don’t let what happen to Geneva / sussex / somerleyton rds happen to these houses they must be listed or grade 2 status I am going to write to the council to protest about this matter
Happily I have discovered by looking at Google maps that these buildings have all been beautifully restored.
HI Copley thank you for your update I am so pleased can you tell me more about this I am very interested in any pictures or how I can see the photos or post them on this site ta amon
Hi Copley I am still awaiting our pictures I have checked Google Maps and cant find any info ta amon