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Property Type: Period
Project Type: Additions, Basement & Renovation
Location: Notting Hill
Size: 8,000 ft2
 
Notable Features: 6 Bedrooms, 8 Bathrooms, Triple Kitchen/Dining/Reception, Conservatory, Office, Utility & Laundry, Wine Room, Double Reception, Master Suite on Whole of First Floor, Cinema, Gym, Staff, Sauna/Steam, Pool, Summer House in Garden, Staff Accommodation, Landscaped Gardens
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Specification: Bespoke Kitchens, Bespoke Wardrobes, Luxury Bathrooms, Under Floor Heating, Air Conditioning, Bespoke Fireplaces, Bespoke Wall & Floor Finishes, Period Features & Detailing, Floor to Ceiling Windows, Skylights, Tadelakt Bathrooms, Home Automation, Bespoke Staircase, Bespoke Lighting Design
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New Life for a Stucco Villa
Set on one of Notting Hill’s most prestigious roads, this ornate Italian-style white stucco villa occupies a rare double-width plot with a magnificent south-facing garden extending approximately 100 feet. Having been the London residence of its owners for more than 30 years, the property held considerable sentimental value, but its existing layout and approximately 4,000 ft² footprint no longer reflected the full potential of the site.

Rather than sell the property with planning permission for redevelopment, the owners approached Amari to partner with them on a more ambitious vision: to maximise the planning potential of the site while retaining the character and elegance of the original villa. Amari was subsequently involved in the wider process, from planning and development strategy through to securing development finance and overseeing the eventual transformation of the property.

Located within the Notting Hill Conservation Area, the project required a sensitive and carefully considered approach. The challenge was to substantially increase the accommodation and functionality of the house while respecting its historic fabric, architectural proportions and relationship with the surrounding streetscape. Through a combination of basement excavation, extensions and carefully integrated additions, the internal floor area was more than doubled to over 8,000 ft².

Approximately 1,500 ft² of additional accommodation was secured above ground, complemented by extensive new accommodation below ground. The result is a remarkable family residence that combines the grandeur and detailing of a period villa with the comfort, technology and amenities expected of a contemporary London home.

The newly configured house provides seven bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities, alongside a master suite occupying the entire first floor. Generous entertaining spaces include a double reception room with library, a substantial kitchen, dining and reception area, conservatory and dedicated office. The lower-ground accommodation introduces a cinema, games room, gym and private spa incorporating a sauna and steam room, together with utility and laundry facilities, staff accommodation and a dedicated wine room.

A major element of the scheme is the creation of a contemporary garden pavilion. Positioned at the far end of the south-facing garden, the pavilion sits discreetly within the landscape, with expansive glazed walls and a green roof creating a strong connection between the architecture and the garden. The pavilion, together with the extensively landscaped grounds, provides a versatile retreat for both family life and entertaining.

The interior specification reflects the ambition and quality of the project. Bespoke Boffi kitchens and wardrobes are complemented by Italian marble and Tadelakt bathrooms, bespoke fireplaces, crafted wall and floor finishes, detailed joinery and a bespoke staircase incorporating cantilevered Portland stone elements. Floor-to-ceiling windows and strategically positioned skylights bring natural light deep into the interior, while underfloor heating, air conditioning and comprehensive home automation provide modern comfort and control.

Bespoke lighting design and carefully selected period detailing ensure that the original character of the villa remains central to the scheme. The finished residence therefore achieves a delicate balance between preservation and transformation: a substantial historic Notting Hill villa brought back to life as an exceptional modern family home, with its original architectural identity enhanced rather than compromised.

The completed development demonstrates how sensitive planning, thoughtful design and meticulous execution can unlock the extraordinary potential of a period property while preserving its place within one of London’s most distinctive neighbourhoods.